attached no importance, whatever, to
the ceremonial law of the Jewish Scriptures; maintaining, in the
first place, that the Scriptures had a spiritual signification
wholly apart from the literal meaning, alone understood by the
world; and that this spiritual meaning could only be attained by
those who, after long probation, were initiated into the inner
mysteries of the sect.

In the second place, they held that the written law had been
altogether superseded by the coming of the great prophet, Christ,
who had been put to death by the Jewish priests. John learned that
there were already large numbers of Jews who had accepted the
doctrines taught by this Christ, although they did not all embrace
the strict rules and modes of life of the ascetics. John was
greatly struck with their doctrines, although he did not hear
enough to do more than to dimly understand their meaning. He
determined however that, if he went safely through the war, he
would inquire further into these mysteries.

At the end of the four weeks, his strength being comparatively
restored, he took his leave of the community, and rejoined his
band.

Chapter 13: The Test Of Devotion.

Although John was able to join his companions, he was still far
from strong; and was glad to have a valid excuse for handing over
his command to his lieutenant, and returning home. The campaign was
nearly over; and he could not have followed those rapid marches
through the hills which enabled the band to appear, now on one
side, now on the other of the Romans, and to keep them in a
constant state of watchfulness.

At the same time, he was glad of the excuse to leave for, although
he had declared to Titus that he would fight again in defense of
Jerusalem, he felt that, after the kind treatment he had met with,
he could not take part in the daily skirmishes with the Romans.

Mounting a donkey, which was among the many animals captured in the
attacks upon the Romans' baggage train, John bade adieu to his
comrades; and with Jonas, now grown into a sturdy young fellow,
started for home. He journeyed by the road to the west of
Jerusalem, in order to avoid the bandits of Simon son of Gioras;
who still scourged the neighborhood of Masada and Herodium, lying
between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He avoided all the towns in
which there were Roman garrisons; for the bandages on his head
would have shown, at once, that he had been engaged in fighting. He
traveled slowly, and wa