A Life of St. John for the Young | Page 9

followed him
throughout the entire land with fire and sword, laying waste cities and
homesteads, vineyards and cornfields. Their watchword was, "We have
no Lord or master, but God."
But this rebellion against the Roman government failed. Judas himself
was slain. Villages in Galilee--Bethsaida probably one of
them--became hospitals for the wounded in battle. The whole region
was one of mourning for the dead. There was terrible disappointment
concerning Judas of Galilee. None could say of him, "We have found
the Messiah." "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the Law, and
the prophets, did write." Again think of these words; they are yet to be
spoken concerning another.
What the five young Galileans of Bethsaida saw and heard of these
events must have made a deep impression on them. They were old
enough to be young patriots interested in their nation. Their sympathies
would be with those trying to free their people from Roman power.
Perhaps their thoughts concerning Messiah became confused by the
false claims of Judas, the pretender, and his deluded followers.
But this did not destroy their confidence in the Scriptures. They

believed the prophecy it contained would yet be fulfilled. At this time
John is supposed to have been about twelve years of age. Had he been
older, the temperament which he afterward showed, and which
sometimes misled him, allows us to think that he might have been
drawn into the rebellion. Peter also in his fiery zeal might have drawn
his mistaken sword. They might have become comrades in war, as they
did become in peace. For many years they continued their Scripture
studies, without however gaining the full knowledge of the Messiah
and His kingdom, to which at last they attained.
[Illustration: SIMEON AND ANNA IN THE TEMPLE Old Engraving
Page 39]

CHAPTER V Early Influences on Character
As we trace the history of the five youthful Bethsaidans, it seems
almost certain that some special influence or influences helped to shape
their characters, and to unite them in thought, purpose and effort; and
so secure marked and grand results. This union was not a mere
coincidence. Nor can it be accounted for by their being of the same
nation or town, and having the same education common to Jewish boys.
There was something which survived the mere associations of boyhood,
and continued to, or was revived in, manhood. The influence whatever
it was must have been special and powerful. What was it? In that little
village were their faithful souls praying more earnestly than others, and
searching the Scriptures more diligently, finding spiritual meanings
hidden from the common readers, and so understanding more correctly,
even though not perfectly, who was the true Messiah, and what He
would do when He came? Or, was there some rabbi in Bethsaida like
Simeon in Jerusalem, of whom it could be said, "the Holy Ghost was
upon him," and "he was waiting for the consolation of Israel"--the
coming of the Messiah? Or, was there a teacher of the synagogue
school in Bethsaida, instructing his pupils as no other teacher did? Or,
was there some aged Anna, like the prophetess in the Temple, who
"served God with fastings and prayer," who going about the village full
of thoughts concerning the Messiah, "spake of Him to all them that

looked for His coming"? Or, was it in the homes of the five that we find
that special influence? Did Jonas talk with his sons as few other fathers
did, while Andrew and Peter listened most attentively to his words?
Did Zebedee and Salome, as Jonas, prepare by teaching their sons for
the coming time when the two pairs of brothers should be in closer
companionship than the family friendship of these Galilean fishermen
and business partnership could secure? Was Peter, full of boyish
enthusiasm, a leader of the little company; or did John in quiet
loveliness draw the others after himself? Did Philip have such family
training as had the other four, or was he guided by the lights that came
from their homes?
And now in thought we disband the little circle of five, to be reunited
elsewhere after many years. We glance into the home of James and
John. We have already spoken of Salome's royal descent, and of the
sympathy between her and her sons. With what deep interest we would
listen to her teachings and watch the influence on them as they talked
together of David their ancestor, and of how they were of the same
tribe and family to which the Messiah would belong. Salome
understood much about Him, more probably than most mothers: but
she was much mistaken about what was meant by His Kingdom. She
thought He would rule like David on an earthly throne. Her sons
believed as she did, and