nt. The ancients were as hardened as ever, and
replied, in a sullen tone, that there was nothing unnatural in the
course of events, that they might be easily accounted for by
philosophers, and that they did not repent of anything they had done.
However, many persons were converted, and among others those soldiers
who fell to the ground at the words of our Lord when they were sent to
arrest him in the Garden of Olives.

The rabble assembled before Pilate's house, and instead of the cry of
'Crucify him, crucify him!' which had resounded in the morning, you might
have heard vociferations of 'Down with the iniquitous judge!' 'May the blood
of the just man fall upon his murderers!' Pilate was much alarmed; he
sent for additional guards, and endeavoured to cast all the blame upon
the Jews. He again declared that the crime was not his; that he was no
subject of this Jesus, whom they had put to death unjustly, and who was
their king, their prophet, their Holy One; that they alone were guilty,
as it must be evident to all that he condemned Jesus solely from
compulsion.

The Temple was thronged with Jews, who were intent on the immolation
of the Paschal lamb; but when the darkness increased to such a degree
that it was impossible to distinguish the countenance of one from that
of the other, they were seized with fear, horror, and dread, which they
expressed by mournful cries and lamentations. The High Priests
endeavoured to maintain order and quiet. All the lamps were lighted;
but the confusion became greater every moment, and Annas appeared
perfectly paralysed with terror. I saw him endeavouring to hide first
in one place, and then in another. When I left the Temple, and walked
through the streets, I remarked that, although not a breath of wind was
stirring, yet both the doors and windows of the houses were shaking as
if in a storm, and the darkness was becoming every moment more dense.

The consternation produced by the sudden darkness at Mount Calvary
was indescribable. When it first commenced, the confusion of the noise
of the hammers, the vociferations of the rabble, the cries of the two
thieves on being fastened to their crosses, the insulting speeches of
the Pharisees, the evolutions of the soldiers, and the drunken shouts
of the executioners, had so completely engrossed the attention of
everyone, that the change which was gradually coming over the face of
nature was not remarked; but as the darkness increased, every sou