dwelt in the wilderness, and on the banks of the Jordan; but Jesus
frequents the cities and villages. John was stern in manner, and
abstemious in food; Jesus is neither. He is gentle and social; often
seen at the feasts of the publicans, and associating with the
multitudes.

_Eudora._ But does he, like the former kings of Israel, combine
military ardor with his religious enthusiasm?

_Rachel._ He seems, with all his boundless benevolence, formed to
command; but never has he aimed to form an army, though the people
would at one time have declared him king. Salome promised to meet us
here at this time. I wish she were present. She can tell you more of
him than can I.

_Eudora._ And here she is.

_John._ Welcome to our circle! and doubly so now; for we would hear of
you concerning this Jesus, who we hoped was to be our deliverer from
bondage.

_Salome._ Right glad am I to be here, and more so to speak of him; for
he hath come indeed to deliver us from bondage,--a worse, however,
than _Roman_ bondage.

_John._ Are we to have a harder taskmaster than the Romans, before we
are delivered?

_Salome._ No harder master than we now have. The Roman is not our only
or worst bondage.