Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1898).djvu/373

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
ATONEMENT AND EUCHARIST.
353

not watch with him who, waiting and struggling in voiceless agony, held uncomplaining guard over a world? There was no response to that human yearning; and so he turned forever away from earth to Heaven, from sense to Soul.

Remembering the sweat of agony which fell in holy benediction on the grass of Gethsemane, shall the Murmuring. humblest or mightiest disciple murmur when he drinks from the same cup, and think, or even wish, to escape the exalting ordeal of sin's revenge on its destroyer? Truth and Love bestow few palms until the consummation of a lifework.

Judas had the world's weapons. Jesus had not one of them, and chose not the world's means of defence. Defensive weapons. “He opened not his mouth.” The great demonstrator of Truth and Love was silent before error and hate. Peter would have smitten the enemies of his Master; but Jesus forbade him, thus rebuking artifice and animal courage. He said: “Put up the sword.”

Pilate — pale in the presence of his own momentous question, “What is Truth?” and ignorant of the Pilate's question. consequences of his awful decision against human rights and divine Love, knowing not that he was hastening the final demonstration of what Life is, and what the true knowledge of God can do for man — Pilate was drawn into acquiescence with the demands of Jesus' enemies.

The women at the cross could have answered Pilate's question. They knew what had inspired their devotion, winged their faith, opened the eyes of their understanding, healed the sick, cast out evil, and caused the disci-

23