Memories of Bethany

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ities trodden by Him in the days of His flesh,-Bethlehem, with its manger cradle, its mystic star, and adoring cherubim-Nazareth, the nurturing home of His youthful affections-Tiberias, whose shores so often echoed to His footfall, or whose waters in stillness or in storm bore Him on their bo

lories of a brighter home. But though its Memories are all that remain, the place is still fragrant with His presence. The echoes of His voice-words of unearthly swee

d a shower of holy tears. The cancelling from our Bibles of the 11th chapter of St John would be like the blotting out of the brightest planet from the spiritual firmament. Each of its magnificent utterances has proved like a ministering-angel-a seraph-messenger bearing its

any estrangements to mar its beauty. Often at other times a drapery of woe hangs over the pathway of the Man of Sorrows. But Bethany is bathed in sunshine;-a sweet oasis in his toil-worn pilgrimage. At this quiet abode of congenial spirits he seems to have had his main "sips at the fountain of human joy," and to have obtained a temporary respite from unwearied labour and unmerited enmity. The "Lily among thorns" raised His droo

on cast their shadow on his path! From its quiet palm-trees[1] He issued forth on His last day's journey across Mount Olivet. It was with Bethany in view He ascended to heaven. Its soil was the last

esided. We dare not withdraw more of the veil than the Word of God permits. Let us be grateful for what we have of the gracious unfoldings here vouchsafed of His inner life-the comprehensive intermingling of doctrine, consolation, comfort, and instruction in right

ut fifteen furlongs or two miles from Jerusalem), a cluster of poor cottages, numbering little more than twenty families, with

the most recent and discerning of Eastern writers as "a wild mountain hamlet, screened by an intervening ridge from the view of the top of Olivet-perched on its open plateau of rock-the last

n it was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. Defended on the north and west by the Mount of Olives, it enjoys a delightful exposure to the southern sun. The gro

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ll, must remain a difficulty. John alone of the Gospel writers narrates the transactions which took place in Judea in connexion with the Saviour's public ministry,-the others restricted themselves mainly to the incidents and events of His Galilean life and journeys; at all events, till they come to the closing scene of all.[6] There is another reason equally probable:-A wise Christian prudence, and delicate consideration for the feelings of the living, may have prevented the other Evangelists giving publicity to facts connected with their Lord's greatest miracle; a premature disclosure of which might have expose

in all likelihood, reposing in their graves. Happily so, too, for ere this the Roman armies were encamped almo

at tender Saviour shone most conspicuous. He was the disciple who had leant on His bosom-who had been admitted by Him to nearest and most confiding fellowship. He would have the Church, to the latest period of time, to enjoy the same. He interrupts, therefore, the course of his narrative that he may lift the veil which enshrouds the private life