Letters from Adina - #25

Letter XXV. The passing of Lazarus.

“Alas! how suddenly has perished the noblest young man in Judea!”

My Dear and Honored Father,

All here are bowed down by the deepest grief, for I have to tell you the sorrowful news of the death of Lazarus.

It is amid the plaintive moans of his bereaved sisters over his life- less form, and with my tears almost blinding my overflowing eyes, that I write to you.

The hand of the Lord hath fallen heavily upon this household, and stricken down its prop, smitten the oak, around which these sisters clung like vines in dependence upon him, and confiding trust in his wisdom and love. Now prostrate in the dust they lie, stunned by the sudden and mysterious stroke of God’s hand.

Their humble dwelling was the home of hospitality and kindness, and thither the Prophet of God, Jesus, loveth to resort whensoever His great labors will permit Him.

A holy friend-ship had sprung up between Him and Lazarus, who so loved the blessed Anointed One of God, that he would readily have laid down his life for Him.

I have told you, dear father, what a happy household I have seen here when Jesus completed the number; for He abode so often with them when He was not preaching, or when He was wishing to rest a day or two from His weary toil, that they came to regard Him as one of their family.

One day, when I, with Mary and Lazarus, was harkening to his heavenly teachings, filled with wonder and amazement at His words, Martha, who was preparing the meal, came and desired Mary would come and aid her; but the dear, pious girl, heeded not nor heard her, for she was feeding, forgetful of all else, upon the celestial food that fell from the lips of Jesus, who talked to us of the kingdom of God and the glories of heaven, and the necessity of holiness in those who would enter and dwell there.

At length, Martha, finding that Mary heard not, appealed to Jesus, saying somewhat angrily:

‘‘Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me.”’

We turned wondering to hear her, who was usually so gentle and good, thus forget what was due to the presence of the Prophet; and Lazarus, was about to speak in excuse his sister, who looked as if she were much troubled with the work of the household,  when Jesus said kindly to her:

  ‘‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; thy household takes up too much of thy time and thoughts.

In this world, but one care is truly worthy of the regard of men, and this is to provide sustenance for the soul; for the body perisheth.

Mary hath chosen more wisely than thyself. While thou carest much for the wants of the body, she careth for those of the spirit, and thus has that good part which shall not be taken away from her.

Think not, beloved Martha, of sumptuous living for me, who have no earthly goods, not even where to lay my head!’’

‘‘Say not thus, oh! say not such, dear Lord,” cried Martha, suddenly bursting into tears at Jesus’ touching words, and casting herself at His feet.

‘‘This house is Thy home - ever beneath its roof, while it sheltereth me, shalt Thou have where to lay Thy head! Say not so, my Lord”

We were much moved at Martha’s pathetic earnestness. Jesus raised her up, and said lovingly -

“It is thy love for me, I well know, that maketh thee so careful and troubled to provide for me at thy bountiful table. But I have meat to eat that ye know not of. To teach the truths of God is to me meat and drink, for herein I am doing my Father’s will, who sent me.”

In my last letter ended with informing you of the departure of the messenger. After he had gone out of sight from the door, and the last echo of his horse’s hoofs ceased to be heard by the listening ears of Martha, I re-entered the room where Lazarus lay.

His face was as white as marble. His large, black eyes seemed to be twice their usual size and to glow with double brilliancy.

He breathed with difficulty, and every few moments we would be compelled to raisehis head, in order to free his mouth from the welling blood that was constantly bubbling up from the broken fountains of his life.

Mary’s tender privilege it was, assisted by Rachel, to render him this service of love.

As she bent over him, looking downward with anxious fondness into his pale face, watching every shadow of the change that the black wing of advancing death cast over it, I thought I had never gazed on a more lovely being!

I commenced this letter by informing you of the departure of the good and generous, and pious Lazarus. He fell asleep in death as an infant sinks to slumber in its mother’s arms, gradually failing from the loss of blood, till his eyes closed heavily, his pulse ceased to throb, and his noble heart no longer fluttering like a bird  beneath the hand’s light pressure, was at rest.

All too late was Jesus sent for! To-morrow his burial will take place. Alas! how suddenly has perished the noblest young man in Judea!

Farewell, dear father! My heart is sad; I can write no more. The God of Abraham preserve you in your journey, and bring you in safety to

Your loving daughter, Adina

Next Letter

LADY DONNA PROGRAM

The new Lady Donna Immersion in Spirituality, Academics and Citizenship @ the "I AM" School will study abridged excerpts of the Letters from Adina taken from Reverend Ingraham's original edited version of 'The Prince of the House of David', published by Cassell & Co. Ltd (1903), that reveal remarkable insights into the Living Etheric Record left by Beloved Jesus's Ministry in the Holy Land.