The days that we walked in Nazareth are pleasant memories, for I could never tell thee enough about the Essenes:  their contempt of riches, and that if there were one among them who had more than another, on entering the order he willingly shared it.  We were among the hills the day that I told thee about the baker; how he put a platter with a loaf on it before each of the brethren, how they broke bread, deeming the meal sacred, and it was the next day that we bade farewell to thy father and thy mother and started on our journey; a long way, but one that did not seem long to us, so engaged were we with our hopes.  It was with me thou sawest Jerusalem for the first time; and I remember telling thee as we journeyed by the Jordan seeking a ford that the Essenes looked upon oil as a defilement, and if any one of them be anointed without his approbation it is wiped off, for we think to be sweaty is a good thing, and to be clothed in white garments, and never to change these till they be torn to pieces or worn out by time.

And of the little band that came with us that day from Galilee there remain Saddoc, Manahem and thyself.  All of you learnt from me on the journey that we laboured till the fifth hour and then assembled together again clothed in white veils, after having bathed our bodies in cold water.  But, Jesus, why this grief?  Because I am going from thee?  But, dear friend, to come and to go is the law of life, and it may be that I shall be with thee longer than thou thinkest for; eighty odd years may be lengthened into ninety:  the patriarchs lived till a hundred and more years, and we believe that the soul outlives the body.  Out of the chrysalis we escape from our corruptible bodies, and the beautiful butterfly flutters Godward.  Grieve for me a little when I am gone, but grieve not before I go, for I would see thy face always happy, as I remember it in those years long ago in Nazareth.  Jesus, Jesus, thou shouldst not weep like this!  None should weep but for sin, and thy life is known to me from the day in Nazareth when we sat in the street together to the day that thou wentest to the Jordan to get baptism from John.

Ah! that day was the only day that my words were unheeded.  But I am saying things that would seem to wound thee, and for why I know not!  Tell me if my words wound or call up painful memories.  Thy suffering is forgotten, or should be, for if ever any man merited love and admiration for a sincere and holy life thou——­ I beg of thee, Father, not to say another word, for none is less worthy than I am.  The greatest sinner amongst us is sitting by thee, one that has not dared to tell his secret to thee....  The memory of my sin has fed upon me and grown stronger, becoming a devil within me, but till now I have lacked courage to come to thee and ask thee to cast it out.  But now since thou art going from us this year or the next, I wouldn’t let thee go without telling it; to none may I tell it but to thee, for none else would understand it.  I am listening, Jesus, Hazael answered.