Volume 2

128 Life of Jesus Christ
To this house, with which the school was connected,
belonged a large bathing garden, which ran down even to
the water that cut off this quarter of the city from the
mainland. The bathing garden was surrounded by a wall,
inside of which was a quickset hedge of bushes cut in
figures. In the middle of the garden was an open portico
containing nun1erous passages and little apartments, and
around it was the spacious bathing cistern full of flowing
water. There was in the middle of it a pillar with steps
and hand supports, by means of which one could descend
into the water to any depth. This place was inhabited by
aged Jews, who were despised on account of their religion
or origin, although they were good, pious men.
It was touching to see Jesus saluting the disciples on
their arrival. He passed among them giving His hands
first to one, then to another. They were full of respectful
confidence, for they regarded Him as an extraordinary,
supernatural Being. They were indescribably joyous at
seeing Him again. He delivered to them a long instruction,
after which they told Him all that had happened to
them. They took a meal together consisting of bread,
fruit, honey, and fish which the disciples had brought
with them.
The disciples, some in Jerusalem, some in Gennabris,
were called to account by the Pharisees before large assemblies
on the subject of Jesus, His doctrine and designs,
and their own intercourse with Him. They were molested
in many ways. Once I saw Peter, Andrew, and John with
their hands bound, but a slight effort burst their bonds
asunder, as if by a miracle. They were then allowed to
return to their homes in peace.
Jesus exhorted them to constancy and told them to
begin to free themselves more and more from their avocations,
and to spread, as far as they could, His doctrine
among the people of their district. He added that He
would soon be with them again, and that He would