Mary. How could I doubt any doctrine of his, after witnessing these works?
Jezebel. But this is not all. He moved our hearts to love, as well as our minds to believe. With all my ill temper in the past, I have ever taken an interest in children. Judge ye, then, of the effect produced upon me, the first time I saw him, by this circumstance. I was walking along, filled with my usual impatience, when I suddenly saw Jesus at a distance, surrounded by a crowd, many of whom were Scribes and Pharisees. He had pleased the multitude, and excited even the admiration of his enemies; when, as I came nigh, I saw several persons endeavoring to get nearer to him with their children. They were rebuked even by his disciples; but Jesus, seeing the act, asked for the children, took them in his arms, and blessed them. From that moment have I loved and followed him.
Mary. Then came his kind, yet firm rebuke of sin; his description of those who were prepared to join his kingdom; his promise to receive the worst who would become like himself; his assurance that all who continued faithful to the end of this life should in the next be joined to his Father's family; and, above all, the representation of Jehovah as our Father, who would give us eternal joy. Oh! what change have his glorious words wrought in us!
Rebecca. Why do you say "changed us"? Jezebel needed to be changed, but not you.
Mary. Such change as he demanded I needed. Oh! how much! 'Tis true, in form I have served the God of my fathers. I have endeavored to keep unbroken the law; but that was not sufficient. To be like him, the heart must burn with that love to his Father, that your delight will be even to be crucified in his service.
Salome. Yes; as Mary says, he demands that love which not only pours itself forth to friends, but to strangers, and with diligence seeks the happiness even of our bitterest foes.
Zachariah. O that I might have such a spirit, and be one of such a society!
Mary. And so you may.
John. And I!
Rebecca. And I!