and he understands in some measure their impatient waiting for the
coming prince who shall deliver Israel.

But is this all? Instead it is only the beginning of the wonders
which the serious Quintus is to witness. Forth he passes to the
eastern cloister of the Temple, known then among the Jews as
Solomon's Porch, in memory of their illustrious king. The
bystanders tell Quintus that it is built of a fragment of the first
Temple which Nebuchadnezzar had left standing. As the soldier
looks down the far-reaching aisle, he sees a quadruple row of white
Corinthian columns, one hundred and sixty in number, and extending
a length of many hundred feet. The vista is most amazing.
Accustomed though he has been all his days to the magnificence of
the Roman architecture, he yields in willing admiration to the
splendors of the Solomonic porch.

Then--he sees the Christ! Walking through that forest of massive
columns is the superlative Jew of his times, and of all times. For
now--when the voices of that winter day are still, and Solomon's
Porch has vanished where stood those blessed feet--there is no
earthly measurement by which to estimate the Man whom Quintus saw.

Among the throng that surround him hostile Pharisees challenge him
to tell them plainly if he be the foretold Messiah. With impatient
hearts they have waited long for their redemption. Let him say if
their deliverer has now come. Then shall they throw off the yoke
of the detested Roman rule and renew their ancient monarchy with
enlarging influence and increasing splendors.

Memorable words in answer does Quintus hear. The Stranger puts
aside the thought of the Jewish struggle for an earthly throne,
and turns in his fancy to the quiet pastures where feed the flocks.
He is a guardian Shepherd; Israel and all the world besides are his
cherished sheep. Those who are truly his shall hear his guiding
voice, and shall follow him. They shall never perish. From the
hand of the Shepherd no vandal shall steal his own away. How the
words thrill! Sometimes Quintus has seen in the Judaean pastures
the keeper with his flocks, and knows how unchanging is his
fidelity. It is as if this watcher in his devotion is anticipating
the faithfulness of the greater Shepherd. How entrancing is the
lesson to this seeking soldier from beyond the Adriatic!

Then does the Christ add another word more surprising than the
rest. To men who are his sheep he makes a promise t