"Ask me rather how
to become safeguarded against any disaster, greater even than the fall
of cities."
"It is not for myself," she protested earnestly, "but for the world.
Is there not a King to come to Israel?"
"There is, but not yet, my daughter. Of that day and hour no man
knoweth. Now is Daniel's abomination of desolation; the generation
passeth and the prophecy is fulfilled. Jerusalem is perishing."
Seeing the wave of panic sweep over her, he put out a soothing hand.
"Yet, do not fear. For such as you the Redeemer died; for your kind
the Kingdom of Heaven is built, and the King whom the earth did not
receive is for ever Lord of it."
The veiled reference to the tragedy which Philadelphus had recounted
stood out with more prominence than the promise in his words.
"Whom the earth did not receive?" she repeated. "O prophet, as thou
boasteth truthful lips and a hoary head, tell me what hath befallen
us."
"Hear it not as a calamity," he said reassuringly. "Thou canst make it
of all things the most profitable, if thou wilt. Forget the city. I,
who would forget it but can not, bid thee do this. Behold, there is
another Jerusalem which shall not fall. Look to that and be not
afraid."
Her lips, parted to protest against the vague answer, closed at the
final sentence and the Christian pressed his advantage.
"Of that Jerusalem there is no like on earth.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281