none of you watch one hour with Me? Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation; for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

5. From these words we learn that, although it is easy to make good resolutions, strength is needed to observe them, and that this necessary grace can only be obtained through prayer. It was not only to His disciples that our Lord said, "Watch and pray," He addressed us all in their persons, teaching us that it is only by the use of these salutary precautions we can avoid evil, and escape yielding to temptation.

Fear and sadness once more overwhelming our loving Redeemer, He withdrew, and for the second time, bowing His Face to the ground, He prayed: "Father, if it be possible, grant that this cup may pass away without My drinking of it; but yet, not My will, but Thine be done." And returning to His disciples, He found them again asleep, because their eyes were heavy from watching and sadness. He reproved them gently as at first, and withdrew again.

6. Intense anguish now seized on Him, and falling into an agony, there came on Him a sweat, as of drops of blood, which trickled down upon the ground. But He prayed the more earnestly, saying: "Father, if it be Thy will, let this chalice pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." And an angel appeared from heaven to console Him. Fortified by His prayer, and resigned to the sufferings of His Passion, He rose, and return

ing to His disciples, He said to them: "Sleep now, and take your rest. The hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us go. Behold, he is at hand that will betray Me."

And immediately, while He was yet speaking, a troop of men armed with swords and sticks, and carrying lanterns and torches, entered the garden. They were led by Judas Iscariot, who accosted our Divine Lord with the words, "Hail Master!" and then kissed Him.

8. This was the sign by which the traitor had agreed to point out Jesus to the soldiers who came to seize Him. But the loving Saviour, wishing doubtless to give him an opportunity of repentance, said gently to him: "Friend, why art thou come hither? Judas, dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss ?" Then, advancing alone towards the armed troop, He asked: "Whom do you seek?" They answered: "Jesus of Nazareth." He said to them: "I am He."

9. And as soon as He had said, “I am He,” they drew back, and fell to the ground. By this miracle, Jesus manifested His Almighty power, and clearly proved that it was by His own will alone He was about to surrender Himself into the hands of His enemies.

When the soldiers had risen, He asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they answered, "Jesus of Nazareth."

"I have already told you that I am He,"

replied Jesus. "If then I am the One whom you seek, let these," meaning His disciples, go their way." And immediately the soldiers seized and secured Him.

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10. Then Peter drew his sword, and cut off the right ear of a servant of the High Priest. But Jesus rebuked him, saying to him, "Put up thy sword into its sheath; dost thou not know that I can ask My Father, and He will give Me presently twelve legions of angels? But the Scriptures must be fulfilled, which have foretold these things." And having touched the man's ear, He healed him.

11. Then Jesus permitted the soldiers to bind, and lead Him away. And the disciples abandoned Him, and fled.

QUESTIONS.

1. What did Jesus say to His apostles on entering the Garden of Gethsemani ?

2. How did He describe His extreme sadness?

3. In what words did He pray to His Heavenly Father?

4. What did He say to His disciples when He found them asleep?

5. Do these words apply to us?

6. To what state was He reduced?

7. Who came to console Him?

8. How did He receive the traitor Judas? 9. What happened to the soldiers?

10. How did He rebuke Peter ?

11. How did His disciples act when He was apprehended?

"But thou, a man of one mind, my guide and my familiar, who didst take sweetmeats together with me."-Psalm liv. 14, 15.

"Strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."-Zacharias xiii. 7.

LESSON L.

JESUS BEFORE CAIPHAS-DENIAL OF ST. PETER.

1. Bound like a malefactor, our Divine Lord was led into Jerusalem, and taken first to the house of Annas, father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high priest for that year.

2. Here Jesus stood in the hall of judgment, while Annas questioned Him on His disciples, and His doctrine.

Jesus answered him: "I have spoken openly to all men. I have always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, and have said nothing in secret; why then do you question Me? Question those who heard Me; they know what I have said."

3. Scarcely had He finished speaking, when one of the soldiers struck Him, saying: "Is it thus Thou answerest the High Priest ?" Jesus patiently bore the insult, and only said: "If I have spoken ill, give testimony against Me; but if well, why dost Thou strike Me ?"

How wonderful an example of God-like patience and meekness does our Lord give us, on this occasion!

Then Annas sent Jesus, bound, to the house of Caiphas, the high priest, where the council was already assembled, and false witnesses had been hired, to give such testimony against Him as might ensure His condemnation.

Some of them accused Him of expressions He had never used; others reported His words, with the addition of a malicious interpretation of their own; but as their depositions did not agree, no crime could be proved against Him. Jesus heard them in silence.

4. Then the high priest said in a loud and solemn tone, "I adjure Thee by the Living God, that Thou tell us if Thou be the Christ, the Son of God."

And Jesus said to him, "I am. And thou shalt see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

5. At these words the high priest rent his garments, exclaiming, "He has blasphemed! What need have we of witnesses? You have heard His blasphemy. What think you?"

And all present replied, "He merits death." Behold Him who had never sinned-the Holy of Holies-condemned to death by sinners!

6. The soldiers then led Jesus into the court-yard of the palace, where He was to pass the night; and not satisfied with all He had hitherto suffered, they began to insult Him anew. Some spat on His face-others gave Him blows and others again blindfolded His eyes, striking Him, and then insolently chal