unseen, needed one another. So we find them together in the judgment
hall, at the sepulchre, and here.

They 'went up to the Temple,' or, to translate more exactly and more
picturesquely, 'were going up,' when the incident to be recorded
stayed them. They had passed through the court, and came to a gate
leading into the inner court, which was called 'Beautiful.' from its
artistic excellence, when they were arrested by the sight of a lame
beggar, who had been carried there every day for many years to
appeal, by the display of his helplessness, to the entering
worshippers. Precisely similar sights may be seen to-day at the doors
of many a famous European church and many a mosque. He mechanically
wailed out his formula, apparently scarcely looking at the two
strangers, nor expecting a response. Long habit and many rebuffs had
not made him hopeful, but it was his business to ask, and so he
asked.

Some quick touch of pity shot through the two friends' hearts, which
did not need to be spoken in order that each might feel it to be
shared by the other. So they paused, and, as was in keeping with
their characters, Peter took speech in hand, while John stood by
assenting. Purposed devotion is well delayed when postponed in order
to lighten misery.

There must have been something magnetic in Peter's voice and steady
gaze as he said, 'Look on us!' It was a strange preface, if only some
small coin was to follow. It kindled some flicker of hope of he knew
not what in the beggar. He expected to receive 'something' from them,
and, no doubt, was asking himself what. Expectation and receptivity
were being stirred in him, though he could not divine what was