“He is always talking of being happy,” someone once said to John.  “What do you understand by being happy?”

John replied; “When you feel quite contented inwardly, so that no worldly desire or bitterness disturbs your peace, when all within you is love and trust, as though you were at rest in the eternity of God and nothing can trouble you any more, that is, as I take it, what He means by being happy.  But it cannot be put into words, only he who feels it understands.”

And Jesus possessed, too, the high sense of communion with God, which he transmitted to all who followed Him.  But I should like to add that where Jesus was most divine, there He was most human.  In thrusting from Him all worldly desire, all worldly property, and worldly care, He freed Himself from the burden which renders most men unhappy.  In communion with God He was at once a simple child, and a wise man of the world.  No anxiety existed about accidents, perils, loss and ruin.  Everything happened according to His will, because it was the will of God, and He enjoyed life with simplicity and a pure heart.  Is not that the true human lot?  And does not such a natural, glad life come very near to the Divine?

Thus, then, He followed the Divine path across that historic ground which will be known as the Holy Land to the end of time.

And now that great day, that great Sabbath morning came.

For a long time damp, grey mists had hung over the valleys of Galilee; banks of fog had hovered over the mountains of Lebanon; showers of cold rain fell.  But after the gloom dawned a bright spring morning.  From the rocky heights a fertile land was visible.  Green meadows watered by shining streams adorned the valleys, and groups of pines, fig trees, olive trees, and cedars, the slopes and the hill-tops.  Vines and dewy roses were in the hedges.  A full-voiced choir of birds and fresh breezes from the Lake filled the soft air.  Westwards the blue waters of the Mediterranean might be discerned, and in the east, through distant clefts in the rocks, the shimmer of the Dead Sea.  Southwards lay the plain, and the yellowish mounds which marked the beginning of the desert.  And towards the west the snow peaks of Lebanon were visible above the dark forest and the lighter green of the slopes.  A perfect sunny peacefulness lay over everything.

The flat rocks of the gentler slopes were crowded with people, many of whom had never seen this district.  And they still came from every village and farm.  Instead of going as usual to the synagogue, they hastened to this mountain height.  Instead of seeking soft repose, as their desire of comfort bade them, they hurried thither over stocks and stones.  Instead of visiting friend or neighbour they all climbed the heights together.  For they knew that Jesus was there, and would speak.  And so they stood or sat on the flat stones—­men and women, old and young, rich and poor.  Many only came out of curiosity, and passed the time in witty sallies; others jested together; others, again, waited in silent expectation.  Those who already knew Him whispered excitedly, and Simon said to James; “My heart has never beat so violently as to-day.”