e soldier who had caused Jesus to be unbound, as
also that of the one who brought him water, suddenly illuminated by
grace; they were both converted before the death of Jesus, and
immediately joined his disciples.

The procession started again, and reached the gate of Ophel. Here
Jesus was again saluted by the cries of grief and sympathy of those who
owed him so much gratitude, and the soldiers had considerable
difficulty in keeping back the men and women who crowded round from all
parts. They clasped their hands, fell on their knees, lamented, and
exclaimed, 'Release this man unto us, release him! Who will assist, who
will console us, who will cure our diseases? Release him unto us!' It was
indeed heart-rending to look upon Jesus; his face was white,
disfigured, and wounded, his hair dishevelled, his dress wet and
soiled, and his savage and drunken guards were dragging him about and
striking him with sticks like a poor dumb animal led to the slaughter.
Thus was he conducted through the midst of the afflicted inhabitants of
Ophel, and the paralytic whom he had cured, the dumb to whom he had
restored speech, and the blind whose eyes he had opened, united, but in
vain, in offering supplications for his release.

Many persons from among the lowest and most degraded classes had
been sent by Annas, Caiphas, and the other enemies of Jesus, to join
the procession, and assist the soldiers both in ill-treating Jesus, and
in driving away the inhabitants of Ophel. The village of Ophel was
seated upon a hill, and I saw a great deal of timber placed there ready
for building. The procession had to proceed down a hill, and then pass
through a door made in the wall. On one side of this door stood a large
building erected originally by Solomon, and on the other the pool of
Bethsaida. After passing this, they followed a westerly direction down
a steep street called Millo, at the end of which a turn to the south
brought them to the house of Annas. The guards never ceased their cruel
treatment of our Divine Saviour, and excused such conduct by saying
that the crowds who gathered together in front of the procession
compelled them to severity. Jesus fell seven times between Mount Olivet
and the house of Annas.

The inhabitants of Ophel were still in a state of consternation and
grief, when the sight of the Blessed Virgin who passed through the
village accompanied by the holy women and some other friends on her way
from the Valley of Cedro