Traditions of Palestine/The Hour of Rest/
THE
HOUR OF REST.
Fifteen years had passed away since the Spirit had been shed on the followers of the Holy One, and his gospel had gone forth through all the land. There was no valley in Hebron where his law had not been preached; there was no city in Galilee where his name was not blessed. The Essenes of the desert opened their lips to question of the matter; and in Cæsarea a centurion believed with all his house. In the holy city it was no longer known how small was the number of the Nazarenes; and some whispered that the altar itself had been served by hands which had broken bread with the Gentiles.
At the feast of Pentecost, when the children of Aaron all assembled before the Lord, they of the course of Abia served before the High Priest, and saw that he frowned as he looked on them. When he had given the blessing to the people, he assembled the whole body of the priesthood in the courts of the temple, and all saw that his soul was moved. He fixed his eye on the two sons of Hanoch, whom he commanded to stand forth. They came. He inquired if they had hearkened to the heresy of the Nazarenes. One replied in the name of both,
“The faith of the Nazarenes have we embraced.”
“And stand ye here as priests of Jehovah, ye who are traitors to the faith?”
“From our birth were we sanctified to the priesthood, and we serve not Jehovah the less willingly because we have received his greatest Prophet.”
“Ye shall carry forth your heresy into the wilderness, even as the scape-goat beareth thither the sins of the people.”
“Christ worshiped in the temple; why should not we, his followers, serve? While we stand alive before the altar, we will offer sacrifice, knowing who hath appointed us.”
“Ye are bold in your blasphemy.”
“It is not the wont of the Nazarenes to deny their faith.”
“I will prove your words. Tell me if ye have been alone in this matter?”
“Though we answer openly, we answer for ourselves alone.” And the young men avoided to follow the eye of the High Priest as he looked sternly around. He commanded any of the course of Abia who had embraced the new faith to stand forth. A great number separated themselves from the company, insomuch that the High Priest was startled. Then came forth many from every one of the twenty-four courses, and spake the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Then the High Priest looked towards those of the Sanhedrim who stood by; and when he saw that they retreated towards the council chamber, he waved his hand and dismissed the assembly.
In the council chamber there were wrath and fear. It was plain that the penalties of sacrilege could not be enforced against the converts of the temple by reason of their numbers. They who had seduced them were therefore marked out for punishment. Among these, Paltiel, a beloved disciple, was declared to have much power over the people. He dwelt at Bethany, and was often with Lazarus, a friend of the Prophet, and one who was declared to have been once laid in the sepulchre, whence he came forth alive.
While they consulted concerning him, Paltiel returned homewards from the city, where he had taught in the dwellings of the Nazarenes through the day. He was weary, and rejoiced when he saw his dwelling beneath the olives, and the friends who sat near to wait his approach. They arose while he was yet far off; for he was honoured among them; and they received him gladly, for he was the beloved of their hearts. They led him in that he might refresh himself. There were no slaves in the household, for all such were made free by the gospel; but they remained as brethren. They washed the feet of Paltiel, and prepared the evening meal. Women were there who baked the kneaded cakes, and spread out dates and honey on the board.
A large company placed themselves around it when Paltiel had spoken the blessing.
They talked cheerfully of many things; for one had received an epistle from a disciple who was in Asia; another had tidings of the dispersed apostles: one had brought a household of Gentiles into communion, and others had taught the young and relieved the sick.
“One hath been here this day,” said a brother, “who hath seen Barnabas at Antioch. He reports that a new name hath been given us there as an insult. They who deride the Christ call us Christians, and by this name are we known.”
“It is a name,” said Paltiel, “which is a reproach only when it is received unwillingly. If freely accepted, (and why should it not be so?) it is honourable.”
“We have endured too much to regard a mere name,” replied the disciple; “yet I would that we could avoid all that may prejudice our cause before it is heard.”
“This name,” replied Paltiel, “is not of a narrow signification, like the birth-name of a man. It may include all who believe now or shall hereafter believe. We know not but that some at the ends of the earth may covet this very name when ages of years have passed away.”
“Thinkest thou that our faith shall be known so far?” inquired one by Paltiel’s side; but ere he could reply, the sons of Hanoch entered, and told what had been done in the temple. When they who listened knew how many of the servants of the sanctuary were Christians, they rejoiced. It seemed to them that the sacrifices became more holy when offered by hands that had broken bread in remembrance of Christ; and that the smoke of the censer must ascend more acceptably when the name of the Holy One was breathed over it. Some trusted that, for the sake of these believers, the temple might be spared, even as the city of the plain would have been saved if but ten righteous men had been found within it. Yet was there care among some of the more thoughtful of the assembly, who feared what their rulers might do to exclude from the temple courts such as had avowed themselves Nazarenes, and to afflict such as had converted them to the faith of Christ. Martha looked on her brother Lazarus and sighed; for she remembered how the chief priests had sought his life together with the Prophet’s; but her sister reproved her fears, saying that he who had restored life to the dead would guard that life.
All looked unto Paltiel, for to his voice it was their wont to hearken, and from his smile the most timid took courage. He advised that the priests should minister in the temple even as when Cæsar commanded that his statue should be worshiped there. Then there was but one mind among the priesthood, and with one voice they had refused to obey the commands of their conqueror. Now also should the faithful be faithful still, and keep back nothing that Jehovah had spoken, but bear witness in his holy place. On the other disciples he gazed with love, while he warned them that a time of tribulation might be at hand, and besought them to be meek towards men, while they were faithful towards God.
“Remember,” he said, “those of our fathers whose spirit dwelt in Zion while they endured evil and were afflicted by the hands of the wicked. If they suffered for their sins, much more may we for the name we bear. If they bore testimony to the old law, much rather may we to that which is full of grace and truth. Some hanged their unstrung harps on the willows of Babylon, lest idolaters should scoff at the songs of Zion; but we may uplift our voices in all the earth, for the name of Christ no mockery can degrade, and no reproach defile. Holy men of old prayed towards Jerusalem for the sins of their people. Those of us who remain will do so likewise; but if, like our brethren, we be scattered abroad, we will rejoice that there is a greater mercy-seat in the heaven of heavens, and trust that He who dwelleth therein will hear, and hearing, forgive. While in peace we are permitted to sit under the olives where our Master sat, and to gather round the board which he blessed, and to minister to those whom he loved, let his spirit of love be shed abroad among us; but if the scourge and the sword be brought out against us—from him we know that the strongest must not strive,—that the weakest must not cry against the will of Jehovah.”
As he ceased, the swift feet of a mule were heard ascending the rocky path which led to the dwelling; and in a moment Sadoc appeared, not, as he was wont, with a steady step and a calm countenance, but breathless and hurried. He told that the people had been excited to tumult by reports of what had been said in the temple; that their rulers had not restrained them; and that they were now coming forth with violence to Bethany, to seize upon the Nazarenes who dwelt there. There was a moment’s silence when these tidings had been told. Then the sons of Hanoch arose with sparkling eyes, and desired to go forth to meet the multitude; but the women laid hold on their mantles, and besought them to regard their lives.
When Paltiel spoke, all turned to hear. He declared that to meet the people while they were enraged, was to cast away the life which it was a sin to esteem lightly. To remain was also to incur peril. By retiring to a short distance they might save the people from the crime for which they must otherwise mourn when their rage should be overpast. There was a space between the rocks, but a few furlongs off, where this little company of Nazarenes might retire, and where they had worshiped when the former persecution was hot against them. Thither they now resolved to go, and they hastened to set forth. The mothers sought the inner chambers, and brought out their infants wrapped in their mantles, lest the dews of the night should chill their slumbers. Paltiel once more filled and blessed the wine-cup, which was emptied in silence; and they all set forth.
The evening star had risen, and shone above the mount, around which the mists had gathered, and rolled like fleecy clouds. The air was mild, and fragrant with the scent of the balsams which grew around the dwelling. The company hastened along the rugged path, the men carrying the infants for greater speed. They spoke not, but moved like the shadows of clouds on the mountain side, till they reached the opening of the recess which they sought. Then they turned to cast one look towards the city. There was a light in the air over the valley, as if a multitude of torches flared below. The stems of the willows were made distinct by passing gleams, and Kedron flashed beneath them. On the battlements of the temple were moving figures, and voices were heard in the still night air, as if men spoke thence to the crowd; and suddenly a shout from the multitude rang through the valley, which made even Paltiel grasp his staff.
He checked himself, and beckoned to his company to follow him within the recess. It was a slope, green with the verdure of spring, and open only to the sky and to the pass by which the Nazarenes found entrance. Though so near the city, it was known to few, for there was less beauty within it than in many of the clefts of the hills which abounded there. The stars glittered in the portion of the heaven which was open to the band of worshipers, and the night raven looked down upon then as she sent forth her cry to awake the echoes. The Nazarenes spread their garments on the grass, and sat down to watch—all but one, who silently returned upon her steps when no one perceived, and fled towards Bethany.
Meantime, the multitude drew nigh the dwelling of Paltiel, no longer shouting as when they issued from the gate of the city, but rapidly, that they might seize with the greater certainty upon their victims. If aught could have calmed their rage, it would have been the repose of the place, where there was no motion but that of the grove which bowed to the night breeze, and no sound but of the gush of waters.
But they neither saw nor hearkened till they had entered the dwelling. The gate opened as soon as a hand was raised to it, for there was none within to guard it. The bleating of a kid which had been nurtured within the court broke upon the silence of the awed multitude, who marvelled to find no man within. The lamp still burned in the upper chamber, and the half-eaten repast was on the board.
“The Nazarenes eat even as we,” said one of the crowd. “Here is no forbidden flesh, nor a great array of feasting.”
“Neither is there an abundance of wine, as at feasts where men love to be drunken,” said another.
A third took up a scroll which was dropped upon a cushion. There were no magical characters, but a portion of the Scriptures, arranged after the manner of the Hebrews.
“It cannot be,” said one of the leaders of the people, “that our approach has disturbed these men; for there has been no time for escape. They are doubtless retired to some secret place to pay their impious worship, and they will return to finish their feast.”
Nevertheless, he caused search to be made in every neighbouring place. Some who dwelt in a habitation nigh at hand, were roused from sleep by the tumult, and opened their gates to such as would see whether Paltiel was hidden there or not: but they said, and with truth, that they knew not what had become of him who had passed their gate at eventide, and of his friends who awaited his approach.
One who could have told concerning all, overheard what was said. It was Zorah, the daughter of Hanoch, she who had returned from the company on the mountain side, to watch what the multitude should do. She was a young maiden who loved Paltiel as if he had been her father; and she risked her own safety that she might bear tidings to him before the morning should dawn. She had seated herself behind the stone which was used to cover the mouth of the cistern; and no one would have seen her, if a man had not supposed that the cistern might be dry, and that the Nazarenes had hidden themselves there. When Zorah saw that she was perceived, she rose and came forward as if to draw water: but the man prevented her, and led her within the court where she was questioned concerning the company to whom she was known to belong.
She answered freely save when the leaders inquired concerning the events of the night: and then she held her peace. She neither regarded commands, nor hearkened to entreaties, nor feared threats. She declared,
“I have said thus far, and I will speak no more,” and folded her arms upon her bosom in silence.
“Our rulers say that the Nazarenes are liars,” said one man to another; “but this damsel hath spoken no lie. If she had declared falsely concerning the hiding-place of her kindred, our people would have ther she pointed. She only holds her peace.”
Zorah was borne into the women’s apartment of Paltiel’s dwelling, and the door was fastened so that she could not escape. She listened to the departing steps of the multitude, as they proceeded onwards up the mount, and it was a relief to hear no more the curses which were heaped on Paltiel’s name: but when she remembered that her brothers would mourn when they found her not, that their retreat might be discovered while she could not give them warning, and that all hope of Paltiel being saved by her means was over, she sank down on a couch in the darkness and wept bitterly.
Yet she reproached herself for her grief, saying, “If my feet nay not be fleet as a roe’s along the paths of the hills, to carry tidings, there are swifter messengers whom Jehovah will send if it seemeth to Him good. If my voice may not give warning, God speaketh in the echoes of the rocks; and my people shall live, if such be his will.”
Till the morning watch, all was still; but as the grey dawn entered through the lattice, she heard cries of men afar, and knew that the multitude was returning. She shuddered at the wrath of some voices, and the mockery of others, as the sounds came nearer. She sprang to the door, but it was fast. She wrung her hands as she looked around, and saw no hope or help. She had not tried the lattice. She piled cushions one upon another, till she could lay hold on the fastenings of the window. When she put forth her strength, they burst asunder. She leaped down to the balcony, and ran within the porch. She first drew aside the wicket that she might see without being seen by the multitude who passed: but when she beheld Paltiel in the midst, bound with his own girdle, and hurried on by the violence of those who held him, she rushed from the gate, and stretched forth her arms to him, while her cry of anguish was as that of the young antelope when the hind is slain by the hunters. There was grief in the countenance of Paltiel, as he strove to tarry for a moment to give his blessing to the maiden; but the crowd conveyed him away with the greater speed; and when he looked back from afar, he beheld her stretched on the earth, while none remained to comfort her.
She knew not, or her grief would have been yet greater, that it was through her absence that the retreat of the Nazarenes had been discovered. Her brothers found her not among the company and were dismayed. They had issued from the pass when they thought none were nigh, and the eyes of enemies had beheld them afar. Now they had fled to the High Priest to implore help against the multitude, if it might be yet time to save the life of Paltiel.
They who beheld the countenances of the people had no hope that that life could be saved. The reproaches were loud, and the curses on the blasphemer were bitter; and the murderers could scarce refrain from blood till they had reached the place where Paltiel was to die. To speak was in vain, for no voice could be heard; and when the Nazarene women threw themselves in the way, and besought mercy by their tears, Paltiel made a sign to them to arise and be still. They sat đown by the way side, well knowing that they should see him no more.
Sadoc tarried not, but went side by side with his friend. When he found that the cry of the people was for blood, his heart became fixed like that of Paltiel; his eye was as calm and his step as firm.
“Is this man no longer thy friend,” said one to him, “that thou goest to look on his death without sorrow?”
“Because he is my friend, and I know what is in his heart, I fear not for him,” replied Sadoc, “but rather rejoice.”
Paltiel heard his words and smiled upon him.
As they passed by where Jesus had led forth his disciples to behold how he left the world, Paltiel looked up into the heaven, saying, “Would it were here!”
But neither here could he tarry a moment.
Thenceforth he looked steadfastly on the temple, both when they descended to the valley, and when they crossed the torrent, and when they entered the Sheep-gate, which stood open to receive them. Then the multitude was suddenly hushed, through awe of the holy courts: but not the less fiercely did they gnash their teeth on the man whom they believed to have profaned the holy place.—On the flight of steps which led from the valley to the temple courts, was a Nazarene who had been a slave, but was now a freedman. By Paltiel had he been instructed in the faith, and established among the brethren. His first-born was in his arms, and he held him forth that Paltiel might bless the child. Paltiel bent his face over the face of the child, and blessed him aloud in the name of the Lord Jesus. When he looked up, there were tears on his face.
“Weepest thou, my friend?” said Sadoc. “Thou shalt shed tears no more after this hour. Tears are for us who live.”
“Till Jehovah shall wipe them away, must not tears fall even in heaven over the sorrows of our people?” said Paltiel. “I mourn for this child, and for others who will gather together at Bethany at sunrise, and will find me not. Strengthen them, Sadoc, for the tribulation to come.”
“Even as thou hast strengthened me, my friend Paltiel. But how appeareth death unto thee? Speak, that I may meditate hereafter on thy words.”
“Even as when we have spoken together in the night seasons; even as when we saw the Lord Jesus in the cloud and desired earnestly to depart also. Men of old had faith; but we have knowledge, and there is no place for fear. If thou wilt know more, ask of Lazarus.”
The people, who were enraged when joy kindled in his eye, fell upon him, and dragged him to the summit of Moriah, where was a precipice of five hundred feet to the valley below. From the windows of the priests’ apartments some looked forth; but they shrank back when they met the glance of Paltiel.
When the girdle which bound him was unloosed, he leaped upon the battlement, and cast one look down the precipice. He turned to the people, and spread his arms over them as the High Priest when he gives the blessing, and, in an instant, lay asleep on the turf of the valley.
In the stillness of noon a voice mingled with the murmurs of Kedron, sighing forth,
“Alas! for the brethren! Alas! for the widow and the fatherless! Alas! for me; for thou art dead, my brother Paltiel!”
When the evening star had risen, the funeral chaunt of the Nazarenes was heard among the tombs of Bethany.