O NCE more our little company has gathered in the pleasant sitting-room at Brother Eldred's, which has begun to seem almost like home to them.
“This evening the study is on the thrilling scenes which cluster around the closing hours of our Lord's life on earth, and of His cruel death at last,” began Brother Eldred.
“Miss Mildred, can you name some of the more important events which occurred just before the betrayal and death of our Lord—something which most impresses you?”
“There are so many; but—well, I love best to read of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This seems to be the nearest approach toward according the divine Master the honor and adoration which were due Him by ungrateful humanity for whom He paid such a price,” responded Mildred.
“I love to read the particular directions the Lord gave about finding the humble animal which He rode upon,” interrupted Jack; “for even the little colt is mentioned, and if the Lord had need of that, I feel quite sure He must have some use for boys like me.”
“Well said, my lad,” replied his mother, while Mrs. Field turned to her daughter Blanche and asked her if she would not give the recitation she had prepared on “The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem.” At once the little circle approved most heartily, while Brother Eldred remarked, as Blanche took her position upon the floor, that he was glad to see the interest which all seemed to feel in the studies.
Far o'er the Mount of Olives' crest,
The westerling sun is sinking low,
As winding, up the mountainside
I see the joyous people go.
High over Hinnom's burning vale,
The holy city gleams alone,
'Mid shimmering gold and marble pale,
Like Orient queen upon her throne,
Till royal palace, dome, and spire,
Seem glowing with celestial fire.
And everywhere the shout is heard;
Hosannas reach the very sky;
Vast throngs take up the joyous word,
And answering echoes make reply:
“O blessed is He that cometh,—
That cometh in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest! hosanna!
Come, echo the glorious word,—
Hosanna to the Son of David,
That cometh in the name of the Lord!”
'Mid waving palms and victor's shout,
'Mid songs of triumph rising high,
Lord hallelujahs glad ring out,
And acclamations rend the sky.
While at the blessed Master's feet
The royal city proudly lies,
In tender tones of pity sweet
The Son of Mary sadly cries:
“If thou hadst known in this thy day
The things that to thy peace belong!
But thou hast filled, in haughty ease,
The cup of violence and wrong!
How oft would I have gathered thee,
Jerusalem, My chosen bride;
But thou hast turned thy back to Me,
In selfish vanity and pride;
Ah, didst thou cruelly condemn
Thy Master, O Jerusalem!”
He weeps; as o'er the city fair
He gazes with prophetic eye,
And sees upon her lordly walls
The Roman banners proudly fly.
Her gilded domes grow dim with rust;
Her temple prostrate in the dust;
Her sons, the screaming vultures' food,
And Zion's streets flow red with blood.
And well he knows that even they
Who join the hallelujah cry,
Before another Sabbath day
Will madly echo, “Crucify!”
'Tis thus when life's ambrosial cup
Seems brimming o'er with nectar sweet,
The world comes eagerly to sup,
And casts her garlands at our feet.
But ah, whene'er life's cup is filled
With gall and wormwood to the brim,
How oft we hear, with sad hearts chilled,
The mocking cry, “Away with him!”
“Indeed, that is very true,” responded Sister Eldred, as she wiped a tear from her eye. “Not only in the experience of the blessed Master, but also in our own lives we realize the sad truth of this last stanza.”
“Tillie, can you tell us where the full account of this scene is given?”
“I think Luke gives the fullest account of it, in the nineteenth chapter; but it is found in Matthew 21, Mark 11, and in John 12.”
“Very good; what was the next event of importance after this, Jack?”
“I believe the Lord's Supper was instituted.”
“Tom, where do you find an account of this?”
“In the twenty-sixth of Matthew, the fourteenth of Mark, the twenty-second of Luke, and the thirteenth of John.”
“Mr. Field, do you remember where we may find an account of the institution of the ordinance of humility?”
“I don't quite understand what is meant by this term,” replied Mr. Field. “I think Tom will answer your question for me, perhaps.”
“John is the only one of the evangelists, I believe, sir, who gives an account of the instituting of the ceremony of feet-washing, which is commonly called the ordinance of humility. This he gives in the thirteenth chapter.”
Mr. Field smiled incredulously, as he turned to the place indicated.