The Elbert County tribune., 1913-12-19

rear heard in fragments, the soft words
of Jesus. He spoke about their forsak
ing him.
In the garden they paused after they had
entered It, The majority of them remained there,
and. speaking softly, began to make ready for
their sleep. outspreading their cloaks over the
transparent embroidery OF the shadows and the
moonlight. Jesus. tormented with uneasiness and
four OF his disciples went further into the depth
OF the garden There they seated themselves
the ground. which had not yet cooled of from the
heat OF the day, and while Jesus silent, Peter
and John lazily exchanged words almost devoid of
any meaning, Suddenly Jesus rose quickly.
my soul, is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto
death; tarry ye here and watch with me-" he said
and departed hastily to the grove and soon disap-
peared amid It's motionless shades and light
Where die he go?" said John, lifting himself
his elbow. Peter turned his head in the d.
rection of Jesus and answered fatiguedly:
Il do not know"
And he yawned again loudly, then threw himself
his back and became silent. The others also
became silent, and their motonless bodies were
absorbed into the sound sleep of fatigue
Through his heavy sumber Peter vaguely
something white bending over, some ones voice
resounded and died away, leaving no trace in his
dmmed consciousness
Simon, you seeping?"
And he slept again, and again some soft voice
reached his ear and died away without leaving
any trace.
You could not watch with me even one hour?"
"Oh. Masteri II you only knew how sleepy
am he thought in his slumber, but it seemed to
him that he said it aloud And he slept again
And long time seemed to have passed. when
suddenly the figure of Jesus appeared near him.
and loud. rousing voice instantly awakened him
and the others:
You are still sleeping and resting? 1t is ended
the hour has come--the Son of Man is betrayed
into the hands of the sinners
The disciples quickly sprang to their feet, CON
fusedly selling their cloaks and trembling from
the cold of the sudden awakening. Through the
thicket Of the trees a multitude of warriors and
temple servants was seen approaching noisily
Illuminating their way with torches. And from
the other side the disciples came running, quiver
ing with cold their sleepy faces frightened; and
not yet understanding what was going on, they
asked hastily:
What is it! Who are these people with
torches?"
Thomas. pale faced. his mustaches in disorder
his teeth chattering from chilliness. said Peter
They have evidently come after u.s."
Now multitude of warriors surrounded them,
and the smoky, quivering light of the torches
drove away somewhere the soft light of the moon
In front OF the warriors walked quickly Judas
Iscariot and sharply turning his quick eye. he
searching for Jesus He found him, rested
for an instant his look upon his tall, slender fig
ure, and quickly whispered to the priests:
"Whomsoever i shall kiss. that same is he.
Take him and lead him cautiously. Lead him
cautiously. do you hear?"
Then he quickly moved to Jesus. who waited
for him in silence and he directed his straight.
sharp look like knife. into his calm darkened
eyes.
Hail. Master!" he said loudly. charging his
words or usual greeting with strange and stern
meaning.
But Jesus was silent, and the disciples looked
at the traitor with horror. not understanding how
the soul OF could contain so much evil.
Iscariot threw rapid glance at their confused
ranks noticed their quiver. which was about to
turn into loud. trembling fear. noticed their
pallor, their senseless smiles. the drowsy move
ments OF their hands which seemed though fet-
tered in iron at the shoulders-and mortal sor-
row began to burn in his heart akin to the sor-
Christ had experienced before. Outstretching
himself into a hundred ringing. sobbing strings,
he rushed over to Jesus and kissed his cold
cheek tenderly He kissed 1t SO softly, so ten
derly, with such painful love and sorrow, that IL
Jesus had been flower upon thin stalk he
would not have shaken from this kiss and would
not have dropped the pearly dew from his pure
petals.
Judas" said Jesus, and with the lightning of
his look he iumined that monstroue heap of