the future protectors of his realm! He destroyed the race which had
formerly saved the beautiful city from ruin!

"All hail to our king, long may he live!" shouted the mothers in the
courtyard of the palace. Then knaves rushed out from the doors, tore
the children from their mothers' arms, and slew them. None can
describe, indeed none would attempt to describe, how the unhappy
mothers strove frantically with the tyrants until they fell fainting or
lifeless upon the bodies of their dear ones.

Tremble, O men, before the terrible decree of Herod, murderer of the
innocents, yet despair not. He for whom they spilled their blood by
God's decree will requite it in full measure.




CHAPTER IV

He at whom Herod had struck was not among the slaughtered innocents.
For Mary had no desire to show her babe to the king.

They kept in hiding with their great treasure. They remained in hiding
a long time. The rite of circumcision made the boy a member of the
nation which God had named His chosen people. The child's ancestors
reached back to Abraham, to whom the promise was made. And if
according to Holy Writ I trace his descent from the race of Abraham,
branch by branch, it comes at last to Joseph, Mary's husband. And it
is here that the glad tidings turn us aside with firm hand from all
earthly existence--to the Spirit through which Mary had borne Him, Him