s escape to some limestone grotto, or amid the deep
shadows, they carried torches and lanterns.

The Lord had just awoke His disciples for the third and last time, when
probably His ear detected the tread of hurrying feet, the muffled clank
of swords, the stifled murmur of an advancing crowd; perhaps He saw
also the glancing lights, as they advanced through the garden shrubs,
and began to encircle the place where He had prayed. By such signs,
and especially by the inner intimation of the Holy Spirit, He knew all
things that should come upon Him, and without waiting for His enemies
to reach Him, with calm and dignified composure He went forth to meet
the rabble band, stepping out into the moonlight and saluting them with
the inquiry, "Whom seek ye?"

There are some deep and memorable suggestions here as to the

VOLUNTARINESS OF CHRIST'S DEATH.

In order to His death having any value it must be free. If it could be
shown that He had no choice than to die, because His own purpose was
overmastered by the irresistible force of circumstances, His death
could not have met the claims of a broken law, or inaugurated a new
code of morals to His Church. But there are several points in this
narrative which make it clear that He laid down His life of Himself,
that none took it from Him, that He had power to lay it down, and power
to take it again.

(1) When Jesus asked them the question, "Whom seek ye?" there were, no
doubt, many in the band who knew Him well enough, and that He was the
object of their midnight raid; but not one of them had the courage to
answer, "Thee." A paralyzing awe had already commenced to cast its
spell over their spirits. Those who knew Him shrank from identifying
Him, and were content to answer generally, "Jesus of Nazareth." But
when He answered, "I am He," what was it that so suddenly affected
them? Did some stray beams of concealed glory burst forth from their
confinement to indicate His majesty? Did they dread the putting-forth
of that power which had been so often exerted to save and bless? Or,
was there a direct miracle of Divine power, which secured their
discomfiture? We cannot tell. But, whatever the cause, the crowd
suddenly fell back in confusion, and were flung to the ground.

Here, for a moment, the would-be captors lay, as though pinioned to the
dust by some unseen hand. The spell was soon withdrawn, and they were
again on their feet, cursing themselves for their needless pan