ar, peaceful Bethany, never more
shall I tarry in thy quiet vale."

Simon, sore troubled in speech as he heard these words, said unto him,
"Then wilt thou really depart hence forever?"

Mary Magdalene threw herself at his feet and said, "Alas, I am filled
with terrible forebodings. Friend of my soul! My heart--oh! my
heart--it will not let thee go!"

Jesus said unto her, "Stand up, Mary. The night cometh and the winter
storms come blustering on. But be comforted. In the early morning in
the garden of spring, thou wilt see me again."

Lazarus exclaimed, "Oh! my friend, my benefactor!"

"Alas!" cried Martha, "thou art going; and comest thou back nevermore?"

Jesus said, "The Father wills it, beloved. Wherever I am I bear you
ever with me in my heart, and wherever you are, my blessings will
follow you. Farewell."

And behold as they turned to go, there met them Mary, the mother of
Jesus, with her companions. Mary had a white mantle round her head,
from beneath which her long dark hair hung down. She hastened to her
son, crying, "Jesus, dearest son, I hastened after thee with my
friends, in eager longing to see thee once more before thou goest, all
whither?"

Jesus clasped her hands gently and replied, "Mother, I am on the way to
Jerusalem."

"To Jerusalem," said his mother. "There is the temple of Jehovah,
whither I once carried thee in my arms to offer thee to the Lord."

"Mother," said Jesus in solemn sadness, "the hour is come when
according to the will of the Father I shall offer myself. I am ready
to complete the sacrifice which the Father demands from me."

"Ah," cried Mary with bitter and piteous cry, "I foresee what kind of a
sacrifice that will be."

John and Mary Magdalene had joined the mother of Jesus, and the two
Marys standing together united their lament.

"How much we had wished," said the Magdalene, "to keep back the master
and make him remain with us."

"It is of no use," said Simon gloomily, "his purpose is fixed."

Then said Jesus to his mother, tenderly beholding her, "My hour is
come."

All the disciples cried, "Oh, ask the Father that he should let it pass
by."

Then all the women said, "The Father has always listened to thee."

But Jesus said: "How is my soul troubled, and what shall I say?
Father, deliver me from this hour! But for this hour came I into the
world."

But Mary hearing him, exclaimed as in a trance, "Oh, venerable Simon,
now will be fulfilled that