No thought her mind admits;
But ‘He was dead and there he sits!
And He that brought him back is there!’
“All subtle thought, all curious fears,
Borne down by gladness so complete;
She bows, she bathes the Savior’s feet
—Alfred Tennyson.
“In the day time He was teaching in the temple, and at night He went out and abode2 in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives.”—Luke xxi., 37.
“Gethsemane on one side, Bethany on the other ... where He was wont3 to pray for His people and weep for a sinful world; where His feet stood on the eve of His ascension and where His wondering disciples4 received from white-robed angels the promise of His second advent5. It will be admitted that above and beyond all places in Palestine Olivet witnessed ‘God manifest in the flesh.’”—Porter’s “Giants of Bashan.”
After Jesus had been driven from His native Nazareth, He found a home in the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, in the village of Bethany, on the eastern slope of Olivet. That was sweet, memorable6 Bethany of the Gospels; “the perfection of repose,” amid the palm and oak-covered[521] slopes of Olivet; hidden by its quiet life, as well as its sequestering7 mountain, from Jerusalem, that great, throbbing8 heart of Palestine.
Thither9, down the east steps of the Temple, through the “Golden Gate,” along camel paths that wound past Gethsemane and across fitful Kedron, the Son of Man often went when worn out by His love ministries10, or harassed11 by the gainsayings of the great city. So, preaching His new kingdom, He exalted14 its cornerstone, the godly home, by electing one such, that of Lazarus and his sisters, as a rest and a refuge for Himself. Beyond this He proved His own humanity by seeking earthly friendships, at the same time exhibiting Himself, though the favored of heaven, the object of constant angelic regard, as needing, because He was human, that which humanity ever needs—congenial human fellowships.
The history of that ancient Bethany family, gathered from various sources, but chiefly from the simple and touching15 narrative16 of the Evangelist John, is full of interest. The mother of that home, to us nameless, was dead. Yet she was not fameless; that circle of children in their several relationships witnessed full well of a finest mother-culture, that had been theirs. The father of that family was worse than dead; he was a leper, buried alive in the Lazar keeps of the plague-stricken, and the husband of Martha, the elder sister, early had left his bride widowed.
That was a circle cut through its center; but affliction had knit together in deepened affection the few left. The fatherly brother, Lazarus, well fulfilled his double obligation, and wins admiration17, as do ever those sons and brothers who faithfully take the place[522] of dead fathers. That he was such a brother, the grief of his sisters when he died fully18 proclaimed.
With a few fine sentences John depicts19 those sisters. Martha, widowed in life’s morning, but surmounting20 all morbidness21 by giving herself to motherly ministries in her home; and then was Mary, a clinging, trusting, pious22 maiden23; a poem of faith, a tear-bedewed rose-wreath. When Christ joined that circle there was presented the finest conceivable ideal of a home. They served and He blessed, and though their bereavements could never be forgotten, while His banner of love was over them, they were able to alleviate24 the poignancy25 of their griefs through the hope of a blessed resurrection and a final, eternal reunion.
The sacred associations gathering26 about the village of Olivet made it a place peculiarly attractive to Cornelius and Miriamne; for they, too, were bereaved27; neither in all the world having a single living kinsman28 of whom they knew.
They determined29, shortly after their final farewell to Bozrah, to take up their abode at the “House of Dates,” and were unmeasurably delighted in being able to secure for themselves a house reputed to have been the identical one occupied by Christ and His choice friends. If it were not the same, there seemed good reason to believe it was at least on the site of that ancient sacred domicile.
“I’m led to think that we should establish a refuge for Magdalenes, Miriamne.”
“If we did attempt the founding of an asylum33 for outcasts we would not belie30 the memory of a noble[523] woman, who was never a harlot, by applying to it her name. But my ‘grail’ does not lead me that way. I’d go mad working for the utterly34 lost only! No; no, our work must be more radical35, by beginning back of the falling so as to prevent it.”
“Something must be done to educate the women of this country to better living and higher conceptions of womanhood. We need a school of some kind.”
“A school? Good, if it be of the right kind; but there have been schools and schools for men, such as they were, and they have effectually proven that education alone is not a savior. Learning does not transform the soul, else God would have given Moses the pattern of a college instead of that of a tabernacle. My mother used often to tell me that the devil is superbly educated. The more he knows the prouder and more dangerous he becomes. I do not despise learning, but since it is impotent to transform men, why try it as the savior of woman? She who takes counsel less of the intellect than of the conscience and affections! We must seek for those we aim to help something surpassing in direct efficacy any thing yet attempted;” so saying, Miriamne paused.
“Shall we organize a church, ‘fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?’”
“There have been churches and churches. It would be vain for me to attempt to prove to you, a theologian and a churchman, that this you call the ‘Bride of Christ’ is imperfect or lacking in any energy of reform; but, though I heartily36 confess ’tis the choicest institution this side of the stars, yet I see it professing37 to have heavenly charity, abounding38 light, and measureless joys, leaving the needy39 without hospitals, the heathen[524] in ignorance, and most of the world, including many churchmen, famishing for happiness. The trouble is, it infolds too many wolves and repels40 too many lambs. Your flocks are too much given to atoning41 for lean living by fat believing; memorizing huge creeds42 instead of incarnating43 them; putting their faith-confessions into themselves rather than themselves into their faith professions. You churchmen shut your ears to friendly criticism, sneer44 at those that censure45, and in branding such heretics proclaim yourselves infallible. I’d not be a vaporing46 railler, but I hear within your ecclesiastical bodies of warring factions47, of ambitious and multitudinous leaders, a proof that they are of the church militant48; though theirs is an internecine49 militating. I doubt if there has existed Christ’s ideal of a church since Pentecost. He gave a glimpse of its true outlines there, and it will yet come in its power and splendor50; then, for the p?ans!”
“You’d organize, perhaps, a Vestal Band?”
“Vestals?”
“Yes; an union of women of pure hearts, committed solely51 to such works as those performed in part by the holy sisters of our church fraternities.”
“I revere52 such as are thus engaged with all my heart; but, churchman, you are narrow in your plan; even Pagan Rome, which honored Vesta, the fire goddess, by having an altar to her in every community, held that the State was a great family, and placed Vesta, the goddess of virginal purity, near the Penates, or gods of the household and family.”
“I see nothing now in this juxtaposition53.”
“They saw that there was ruin to all society if their girls were impure54; hence buried alive a Vestal, if she[525] fell from her vow55 of chastity. You have heard, Cornelius, how good Romans were wont to invoke56, often, as their family guardians57, the manes of their departed kin13; and this very naturally; they held to the belief that the family tie, the finest, strongest known among men, outlived, by virtue58 of its heavenliness, the shock of death. Imperial Rome trusted much its all-conquering swords, for this life, but for the life to come it appealed to Jupiter omnipotent59 or Minerva, the all-wise. No, no, a ‘Vestal Society,’ such as you imply, would not suffice. I’ve a broader clientage and vaster scheme in mind, good churchman husband—”
“Shall I venture another guess?”
“It would be needless. Let me explain myself fully. Good Father Adolphus, founder60 of Bozrah’s ‘Balsam Band,’ which he sometimes called ‘nursing preachers,’ told me that in olden times there was in this country a fraternity of women, banded together to perform works of charity. They were remembered chiefly for their helpfulness to those that were in direst need and utterly friendless. They befriended criminals and social outcasts. He said that the women of Jerusalem who followed Christ weeping, were, probably, of that fraternity, since it was the custom of that pious company to offer their tears for those on the way to execution. More, these women were wont to furnish the pain-dulling herbs to victims dying condemned61. You remember the Christ was offered such herbs? When I remember the spirit that actuated Martha and Mary, I readily believe they were members of that pious fraternity. More, when I remember how, for His own dear sake, they ministered to His human[526] wants, there comes to my mind the possibility of a perpetual organization, for God’s sake, ministering to human want, taking the home as its palace, and to be known to the world by the expressive62, winning title, ‘Sisters of Bethany.’”
“Miriamne, if you were not Miriamne, I’d call you Gabriel. I’m dazzled by these words. In truth, thy ‘grail’ is near, I believe.”
“That I seek to build up I’ve explained, and here in Bethany I’ll attempt it. We’ll have a fraternity of women, Christ-guided, with burning hearts, and in methods simple, direct and catholic, reaching after women.”
“Now for our pillow prayer, Miriamne. Then side by side, unto wondrous63 sleep land, side by side in heart and being at awakening64.
“‘The sun of the millennium65 will rise from behind the family altar,’ Father Adolphus was wont to say. ’Twas well said; redeemed66 homes are the fruits of the restoration. Shall I read to-night?”
“Surely we need the Word to understand the throbbings of our own hearts when our prayers return, dove-like, with olive branches from heaven.”
“What shall I read?”
“What came after Pentecost!”
Then the husband opened to the Gospel Story, and remarking the ‘Ascension,’ read:
“He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
“To whom also He shewed himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining67 to the kingdom of God:
[527]
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt68 Thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?
“And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put into His own power.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
“And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld69, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
“And while they looked steadfastly70 toward heaven as He went up, behold71, two men stood by them in white apparel;
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”
“And His farewell happened at Bethany? It makes our home seem still more like the gate of heaven, when I remember this; ‘He’ll come so as He went;’ what if that meant His next advent is to be at this very place?”
“Or, what if it meant that He would appear the second time, in glory, at the homes of men; since He elected His home for the gateway72 of His earthly exit,” replied the husband. Then they sat for a little while in a blessed silence; that kind that falls upon souls bowing to a benediction73, or moved by thoughts that are holy beyond expression.
[528]
“I have it all here, darling;” then he took one of his parchments and read:
“And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.
“And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
“And they went forth76, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”
“I knew it was as I thought! If believers are as they say, enlisted77 soldiers, under the blood-stained banners, our Christ has not been true to His word, or there is universal treason in the camp! The world is not gospeled and the soldiers have not the miracle power. I tell you husband, there is need of a revolution, a revival78 of zeal79, an improvement of methods! The Hospitaler was right. The Christian80 world needs to be led along the Via Dolorosa after Jesus and Mary, up to their measure of utter consecration81, to their undying love, to their lofty, soul consuming zeal!”
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1
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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7
sequestering
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| v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的现在分词 )；扣押 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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ministries
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| （政府的）部( ministry的名词复数 )； 神职； 牧师职位； 神职任期 | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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depicts
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| 描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述 | |
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surmounting
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| 战胜( surmount的现在分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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morbidness
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| （精神的）病态 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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poignancy
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| n.辛酸事，尖锐 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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bereaved
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| adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去（希望、生命等）( bereave的过去式和过去分词)；（尤指死亡）使丧失（亲人、朋友等）；使孤寂；抢走（财物） | |
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kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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belie
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| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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repels
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| v.击退( repel的第三人称单数 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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atoning
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的现在分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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creeds
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| （尤指宗教）信条，教条( creed的名词复数 ) | |
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incarnating
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| v.赋予（思想、精神等）以人的形体( incarnate的现在分词 )；使人格化；体现；使具体化 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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vaporing
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| n.说大话，吹牛adj.蒸发的，自夸的v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的现在分词 ) | |
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factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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internecine
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| adj.两败俱伤的 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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52
revere
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| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
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juxtaposition
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| n.毗邻，并置，并列 | |
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impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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omnipotent
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| adj.全能的，万能的 | |
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Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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millennium
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| n.一千年，千禧年；太平盛世 | |
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redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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pertaining
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| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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77
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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78
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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79
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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80
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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81
consecration
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| n.供献，奉献，献祭仪式 | |
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82
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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