Nappanee High School - Napanet Yearbook (Nappanee, IN)

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staked his fortune on tlie race, Ben Hur's vengeance was complete. He dashed on and reached the goal. The race was won! Ben Hur immediately left for Jerusalem where he sought vainly for his mother and Tirzah. When a new ruler had entered Jerusalem the women had lieen found in a secret cell of Antonio Tower hut they were lepers: their lips and entire skin were parched and dry while the hair of both hud turned white. Thus when Ben Ilur sought them in Jerusalem, they were occupying the tomliK of the lepers outside the city-gates. Three years Ben Hur spent in raising an army for Christ who had ajs peared in Jerusalem immediately after Ben Hur's arrival there. One day as Christ with his followers, among whom was Ben Ilur. entered the city they were surprised by a cry from two lepers standing by the roadside. The crowd would have stoned them hut Christ, heeding their appeal, approached them and tinding them of great faith, healed them. Ben Ilur saw the miracle and after a prick glance at the women he sprang forward crying: “Mother! Tirzah!” Thus the family of I!urs was reunited and Ben Hur followed Christ more closely than liefore. Balthasar and Simonides had come to Jerusalem and were occupying the old palace of the llurs. One evening as Ben Ilur passed through the gate lie was attracted by a crowd of priests and soldiers, in the midst of whom he lie-held Judas, one of the chosen disciples. Ben Hur followed the crowd to a large garden where he liehold the Nazarcno l»etrayed by Judas into the hands of the soldiers. The trial occurred that night and on the day following Ben Hur tried to gather his army to force Christ's release. The army had deserted him and it was with a sorrow ful heart that he followed Balthasar. Simonides and Ksther to Calvary. The party halted liefore ;i low hill. Surrounding the hill, on all sides, were faces, three million faces. On the summit of the idll stoed the Nazar-ene, pale and silent. Ben Hur gazed at the suffering features. He knew that I all this could be cl tanged by a breath: yet that breath was withheld. And standing thus gazing at the spirit face. Ben Ilur was tilled with a profound peace, he seemed to hear the words of the Nazarene: I ant the resurrection and the life.” The crosses were raised with their human burdens: suddenly a hush fell upon the people as they heard that divine exclamation: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” It grew dark as night, still there were mookings and jeerings. One of the thieves turned to the Saviour saying: “Lord. remember me when Thou contest into Thy kingdom.” Simonides started: immediately his vision cleared. He comprehended that this Kingdom was not of the earth. Then as in a dream, he heard the answer: “Verily. I say unto thee, today halt thou Ik with me in Paradise.” The Nazarene’s sighs Itccume great gasps, his fare lighted as he exclaimed: It is finished! It is finished!” Then a few seconds later: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” Thus the end came. Ben Hur looked at his companions: Balthasar was prostrate and still. Ben Ilur called. No answer came. The good man’s spirit bad accompanied his master’s into Paradise. Five years pass and we find Ben Ilur the head of a happy family. He has married Esther, daughter of Simonides, and has lieen more than ever prosperous in his ventures. He wished to devote his fortune to the Cliristian cause and at the suggestion of Simonides he built the San ('aiiocto Catacomb. the refuge for Christian Martyrs. General Wallace displays great powers of expression. He holds the attention of the reader to the close ami his description of the cross has proliably never lieen excelled. Is it any wonder that lie was converted while writing the lnM»kV t;