17 The guards again returned and told the king what Zacharias said. 18 Now, Zacharias stood before the altar in the Holy Place engaged in prayer. 19 A guard approached and with a dagger thrust him through; he fell and died before the curtain of the sanctuary of the Lord. 20 And when the hour of salutation came, for Zacharias daily blessed the priests, he did not come. 21 And after waiting long the priests went to the Holy Place and found the body of the dead. 22 And there was grief, deep grief, in all the land. 23 Now Herod sat upon his throne; he did not seem to move; his courtiers came; the king was dead. His sons reigned in his stead. SECTION III. GIMEL. _Education of Mary and Elizabeth in Zoan._ CHAPTER 7. _Archelaus reigns. Mary and Elizabeth with their sons are in Zoan and are taught by Elihu and Salome. Elihu’s introductory lesson. Tells of an interpreter._ The son of Herod, Archelaus, reigned in Jerusalem. He was a selfish, cruel king; he put to death all those who did not honor him. 2 He called in council all the wisest men and asked about the infant claimant to his throne. 3 The council said that John and Jesus both were dead; then he was satisfied. 4 Now Joseph, Mary and their son were down in Egypt in Zoan, and John was with his mother in the Judean hills. 5 Elihu and Salome sent messengers in haste to find Elizabeth and John. They found them and they brought them to Zoan. 6 Now, Mary and Elizabeth were marveling much because of their deliverance. 7 Elihu said, It is not strange; there are no happenings; law governs all events. 8 From olden times it was ordained that you should be with us, and in this sacred school be taught. 9 Elihu and Salome took Mary and Elizabeth out to the sacred grove near by where they were wont to teach. 10 Elihu said to Mary and Elizabeth, You may esteem yourselves thrice blest, for you are chosen mothers of long promised sons, 11 Who are ordained to lay in solid rock a sure foundation stone on which the temple of the perfect man shall rest--a temple that shall never be destroyed. 12 We measure time by cycle ages, and the gate to every age we deem a mile stone in the journey of the race. 13 An age has passed; the gate unto another age flies open at the touch of time. This is the preparation age of soul, the kingdom of Immanuel, of God in man; 14 And these, your sons, will be the first to tell the news, and preach the gospel of good will to men, and peace on earth. 15 A mighty work is theirs; for carnal men want not the light; they love the dark, and when the light shines in the dark they comprehend it not. 16 We call these sons, Revealers of the Light; but they must have the light before they can reveal the light. 17 And you must teach your sons, and set their souls on fire with love and holy zeal, and make them conscious of their missions to the sons of men.