Looking Back: An AutobiographyRichardson, Merrick Abner
History
Looking Back: An Autobiography
Richardson, Merrick Abner
Richardson, Merrick Abner, 1841-
During these moments, Jesus and his disciples had passed out of the
South Gate and were now in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Galileans,
at the Damascus gate, did not know this until Lazarus came running
to say that Jesus was in the garden below. Just at this instant they
heard loud voices inside and while they listened the gate swung open
and a mob of nearly one hundred men, armed with rusty swords, clubs and
rocks, led by Judas Iscariot, came rushing out.
Immediately Magdalene sprang into the way before them and cried, "Oh,
Judas, traitor--traitor,--stand--turn back," at which they all stopped,
Judas trembling and casting his eyes on the ground. "Now," she cried,
"that Rome has disdained to interfere, you--you traitor, with a band of
hired bloodthirsty assassins"----
At this moment one from the rear threw a heavy bludgeon, striking her
full in the face and as she fell the band surged forward, stumbling
over her form, but she did not faint, and rising quickly tried to
follow, but was restrained by those around her, who began wiping the
blood from her face.
Thinking their object was to assassinate Jesus, the Galileans ran into
the garden, where they found Jesus endeavoring to arouse his sleepy
disciples, who became frightened when they saw the assassins and fell
back, all except poor old Peter, who bristled for the affray.
As Peter rushed forward a servant of Caiaphas dealt him a heavy blow
with his dull sword, which Peter returned, nearly severing his ear, but
at the command of Jesus, all the assassins fell back except Judas, who
attempted to kiss him. Jesus staid him, saying, "Judas, betrayest thou
the son of man with a kiss?" Then to the mob he continued, "When I was
daily in the temple you stretched forth no hand against me, but this is
your hour, in the cover of darkness."
The assassins then bound the hands of Jesus in front and pinioned
his elbows at the back in such a way as to cause great pain, after
which two stalwart ruffians seized him by either arm and hastened him
forward, amid the jeers and yells of the entire band, except Judas,
who, witnessing the cruelty and pitiful state of Magdalene, turned
away and wept convulsively, and then with Peter followed the assassins
to Annas. Judas entered the hall, but Peter, when accused of being a
disciple of Jesus, denied it and disappeared into the darkness.
MAGDALENE BEFORE CAIAPHAS
While Jesus, still bound, was held in the dim hall of the court of
Annas, the priests, elders and captains of the mob, blindfolded him,
then spit upon and beat him, which so grieved Magdalene that Judas
persuaded Nicodemus to take Magdalene before Caiaphas, where the
Sanhedrim was stealthily convening.
Kneeling before the astounded assembly, Magdalene craved an audience,
which was reluctantly granted by Caiaphas, saying as he did so, that
his act was through courtesy for Nicodemus.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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