The record-union., 1897-10-24


they were carried by three men who
were bent under their weight It was
easy to see that none of these three
was the Nazarene, for two of them had
the shameless and una dashed faces of
criminals, and the third was a middle
aged countryman whom the soldiers
forced as a substitute. The Nazarene
walked behind the crosses, having a
guard of two soldiers. Around his
shoulders and over his robe was placed
& purple mantle. and on his head
crown Of thorns, from under whose
sharp points exuded drops Of blood
Some We're tTickling slowly down his
face, and some hardened globules like
the red berries of the wild rose or coral
beads. He was pale and walked with
slow, weak, waverfng footsteps Amid
the jeers of the crowd he moved un-
consciously, as if wrapt in the contenl-
plation of another world, unheedlng
the cries of hate and derision, or as II,
forgiving beyond the measure Of hu-
man forgiveness, and compassionate
beyond the measure Of human compass
sion. because. already he was encom-
passed by infinity, already exalted
above this human sphere, full of peace.
sweet and sad only over the great sin
and sorrow of this world
Thou art truth" whispered Anthea,
with trembling lips.
X
The procession was now passing close
TO the litter. There was a moment
when the procession stopped to allow
the soldiers TO clear the way through
the mob; then Anthea saw the NaZa-
rene standing a few footsteps off. She
saw how the breeze played with tbs
locks of his hair, saw the purple re-
fection from his mantle on his pale,
translucent face. The crowd now
pressed eagerly forward to reach him,
forming a narrow semi-circle around
the soldiers, who were compelled 10
make a barrier with their spears to de-
fend him from its rage. Everywhere
We're seen stretched forth arms and
cIinched fists, glaring eyes, snaring
teeth, bristllng boards and fOaming lips
that vomited forth hoarse imprecat tiOns
over his head. He glanced around, as
if saying, What have I done to thee?"
Then lifting his eyes to heaven he pray
ed and forgave them.
"Anthea! Antheal" at this moment
called CHINA.
Anthea heard not Great tears we'll
ed up in her eyes and flowed down her
cheeks. She forgot her illness, forgot
that for days she had not arisen from
her litter; arising suddenly, trembling
and half unconscious. from sorrow,
compassion and indignation at the
blind clamors of the crowd, she began
hurriedly plucking hyacinths and ap-
pie blossoms from her litter and cast
them at the feet of the Nazarene.
For one moment there was silence.
The crowd was astounded at the specta-
Gle of this high born Roman lady hon
oring the condemned. He rested his
gaze on her pale, suffering face, and
his lips moved as if blessing her. An
thea. falling on the pillows Of the lit
ter. felt that there was flowing upon
her sea Of light, goodness. mercy,
comfort, hope, happiness, and she whis-
pered again:
Thou art truth"
Again the tears welled up within her
and flowed afresh.
The Nazarene was now pushed for
ward a number of PAGES TO where al
ready stood the upright timbers of the
crosses, securely embedded in the tis-
sures of the rocks. For a moment the
crowd obstructed her view, but, as the
place where the crosses were erected
was on higher ground, she again saw
his paIe face, surmounted with the
crown of thorns The soldiers again
with the butt ends of their spears drove
back the crowds, so that they would
not interfere with the execution. They
commenced now to fasten the two
thieves to their crosses. The third
cross stood in the middle, with a white
tablet nailed to the top, which shook
and ratified in the increasing wind.
When the soldiers approached the
Nazarene to disrobe him the crowd re-
sounded with mocking exclamations:
King! Kingi surrender not thyself!
King. Where are now thy hosts? De-
fend thyselfl" And then burst forth
mighty derisive laugh, which was
taken up and echoed by the rocky hills
Meanwhile the soldiers had stretched
him on the ground to prepare to nail
his hands to the cross piece, and then
together with it to raise him to the
upright timber.
At this instant a man. who was
standing near Anthea's litter, dressed
in a white simar, threw himself on the
ground. cast dust on his head. and wall
ed forth with despairing voice.
Il was leper-he healed me-why
cruelty him?"
The face of Anthea became as white
as linen.
He healed him! Dost thou hear,
Caius?" she said.
"Dost thou wish to return?" asked
CHINA.
No. 1 shall remain here"
CHINA was now filled with a wild and
immeasurable despair, because he had
not besought the Nazarene to heal An
thea.
At this moment the soldiers placed
the nails against the palms Of ms
hands and began to strike them. Al
first we heard the dull clang of tbs
hammers on the iron. which changed
into 4 clearer sound as the nails pene-
+ratad the wood. The crowd again be
came uuiet. the better to hear the cries
which they expected the pain would
wiring from the lips of the Nazarene.
But he remained silent, and naught
could be heard save the omlnous
strokes of the hammer
AT last they finished the work, ano
the crosspiece, together with the body
was raised up. The centurion who was
watching their work sang out monoto-
nous words of command, upon which
a soldier began to nail the feet. Mean
while the clouds, which from the morn
ing were spreading over the horizon