Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1896-12-22

piled, ~ will show you the way, Prin.
cess Lilith.
When they reached the spot where
the infant lay, Lilith was greatly as
tonished. for she had expected TO see
something extraordinary and magnifi.
cent without knowing exactly what,
and she only saw hut built against a
rock and in this hut an ass, an OK. a
man who appeared to be workman, a
woman of the people, beautiful. yes,
but pale and delicate and poorly clad.
And In the manger, lying upon the
straw, was a little child, whom at first
glance she thought like any other child.
But when she drew nearer she saw its
eyes, and in those eyes a look not that
of babe, an infinite sweetness more
than human, and she became aware that
the stable was only lighted by the light
which emanated from him.
She said to the young mother. "What
is your name?'
"Miryem.
"And your little boy?"
Jesus
"He seems 10 be very good. >"
He means sometimes, but he never
cries.
Twill you let me kiss him9'
eyes, madam" said Miryem.
Lilith stopped and kissed the child
upon the forehead, and Miryem was a
little vexed that she did not kneel.
80" said Lilith, this little child
is the Messiah?"
"You have said il. madam.
"And he will be King of the JewsG"
lit is for that that God has sent
him."
but then he will make war and kill
many men, and he will dethrone King
Herod or his successor"
"No, said Miryem, "for his king.
dom is not of this world. He will have
neither guards nor soldiers. He will
have neither palaces nor treasures. He
will not intiict taxes upon the people,
and he will live like the poorest fisher
man on the lake of Gonesareth. He
will be the servant of the poor and
humble. He will heal the sick and com
fort the afflicted. He will teach truth
and justice. IL is over hearts, not bod
les, that he will reign. He will suffer
TO teach US the price of suffering. He
will be the King of Love, for he will
love all men. And he will teach those
who are tormented with longing
which this world cannot satisfy where
their poor hearts can find peace ana
JOY. And no doubt he will have a
throne.
"Ah, now you see!" said Lilith, still
resisting.
'But, resumed Miryem, 1.-THE throne
will be a cross. He will die upon a
cross TO eXpiate the sins Of men so that
God, his Father. may have pity upon
them.
Lilith listened in establishment.
Slowly she turned her head toward the
Manager. The babe was gazing at her,
and, vanquished by the caress Of those
deep eyes, she murmured mo one ever
told me those things before. and fall.
ing upon her knees she adored him.
81 know" said Lilith as she rose,
THAT King Herod will search for the
child to kill him. Take the ass and fly.
will pay its master. -
Following the narrow paths which
wound in and out among the round
hills the little company soon reached
the plain. Here, said the princess,
II must leave you. | am the Princess
Lilith. daughter Of King Herod. Re.
member me. "
And as they disappeared in the dark
ness Of the night, Joseph leading the ass
upon which sat Miryem holding the
infant Jesus III her arms, Lilith fol-
lowed with her eyes the aureole en-.
circling his divine brow. As the pale,
mysterious light disappeared behind a
forest Of sycamores Lilith heard tho
tramp of horses hoofs and the clanking
Of swords upon the opposite road. 1t
was the squadron Of Roman soldiers
marching toward Bethlehem.