CHAPTER LXVI.

The End of the Lenten Meditations.

On the following Sunday, if I remember right, I saw the Jews washing
and purifying the Temple.20 They offered up expiatory sacrifices,
cleared away the rubbish, and endeavoured to conceal the effects of the
earthquake by placing planks and carpets over the chasms and fissures
made by it in the walls and on the pavement; and they recommenced the
Paschal solemnities, which had been interrupted in the midst, declared
that the disturbance had been caused by the presence of impure persons,
and endeavoured to explain away the apparition of the dead. They
referred to a vision of Ezechiel, but how I can no longer remember.
They threatened all who dared to say a syllable concerning the events
which had taken place, or who presumed to murmur, with excommunication
and other severe punishments. They succeeded in silencing some few
hardened persons who, conscious of their own guilt, wished to banish
the subject from their minds, but they made no impression on those
whose hearts still retained some remains of virtue; they remained
silent for a time, concealing their inward belief, but later, regaining
courage, proclaimed their faith in Jesus loudly to the world. The High
Priests were much disconcerted, when they perceived how rapidly the
doctrines of Christ spread over the country. When Stephen was deacon,
the whole of Ophel and the eastern side of Sion was too small to
contain the numerous Christian communities, and a portion were obliged
to take up their residence in the country between Jerusalem and
Bethania.

I saw Annas in such a state of frenzy as to act like one possessed;
he was at last obliged to be confined, and never again to make his
appearance in public. Caiphas was outwardly less demonstrative, but he
was inwardly devoured with such rage and extreme jealousy that his
reason was affected.

I saw Pilate on Easter Thursday; he was instituting a search for his
wife in every part of the city, but his efforts for her recovery were
fruitless; she was concealed in the house of Lazarus, in Jerusalem. No
one thought of looking there, as the house contained no other female;
but Stephen carried food to her there, and let her know all that was
going on in the city. Stephen was first-cousin to St. Paul. They were
the sons of two brothers. On the day after the Sabbath, Simon of Cyrene
went to the Apostles and begged to be instructed and to receive baptism.

The visions of S