The Peep of Day

by Favell Lee Mortimer

When Jesus was come to the garden, he told all his disciples to stop in one place till he came back, except three that he took with him.

Who were they?

Peter, James, and John. He took them further on in the garden, and then said to them, I feel very sad indeed. I am going to pray. Do you stay here. Do not go to sleep, but pray while I am praying.

Then Jesus went a little way off by himself, and fell upon the ground, and began to pray to his Father to help him. He ended his prayer by saying, O Father, do thou what thou wilt, not what I will.

He prayed very earnestly, and he felt so unhappy that the blood came out of his skin, and fell on the ground. Then he got up and went back to Peter, and James, and John, but he found them asleep. He waked them, and told them to pray.

Then he went back and prayed again to his Father, to help him in his great sorrow; then he came back to his disciples, but they had fallen asleep again.

Then Jesus prayed again, and his Father sent an angel from heaven to comfort him. I do not know what the angel said, but I know the angel loved him, and could speak sweet words to him, and tell him how his Father loved him. The angel did not stay long; he soon went back to God.

Then Jesus came again to his disciples, and found them still asleep. But Jesus waked them and told them to get up; for Judas is near.

While Jesus was saying this, a great many people were seen walking in the garden. These were the servants of the proud men in Jerusalem. They had swords, and sticks, and lanterns in their hands. And Judas went before them to show them where Jesus was. But Judas came up slily to Jesus, and gave him a kiss, pretending to love him.