“I think so, too,” said aunty. “And should not all Jesus’ little boys and girls be willing to suffer, if He did?”
“Not—to—be—crucified?” inquired Maybee, huskily.
“Yes, if need be; but Jesus suffered many other things. The Jews used to stone Him and tell stories about Him and call Him names; and don’t you remember, when He was before Pilate, how they spit in His face, and put a crown of sharp thorns on His head, and mocked Him and struck Him—”
“Boys just like Tom Lawrence, do you s’pose?”
“Yes, I suppose the men and boys then were very much like the men and boys now; and you remember Jesus told His disciples if they persecuted Him, they would also persecute them.”
“Well, but did they?”
“Yes; all the disciples were treated very unkindly, and most of them put to death by those same wicked Jews.”
“Folks don’t do so now?” said Maybee, rather anxiously.
“Not in our own land; but they sometimes laugh at those who follow Jesus, and try to frighten them out of being good.”
“Is that being persecuted?” asked Maybee, in astonishment.