Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/123



years had passed away since the Spirit had been shed on the followers of the Holy One, and his gospel had gone forth through all the land. There was no valley in Hebron where his law had not been preached; there was no city in Galilee where his name was not blessed. The Essenes of the desert opened their lips to question of the matter; and in Cæsarea a centurion believed with all his house. In the holy city it was no longer known how small was the number of the Nazarenes; and some whispered that the altar itself had been served by hands which had broken bread with the Gentiles.

At the feast of Pentecost, when the children of Aaron all assembled before the Lord, they of the course of Abia served before the High