P.1437 - §0 Ganid why he did not smite the drunken man. Ganid thought this man should have been struck at least as many times as he had struck the girl.
| P.1436 - §2 The travelers had but one purpose in going to Crete, and that was to play, to walk about over the island, and to climb the mountains. The Cretans of that time did not enjoy an enviable reputation among the surrounding peoples. Nevertheless, Jesus and Ganid won many souls to higher levels of thinking and living and thus laid the foundation for the quick reception of the later gospel teachings when the first preachers from Jerusalem arrived. Jesus loved these Cretans, notwithstanding the harsh words which Paul later spoke concerning them when he subsequently sent Titus to the island to reorganize their churches. | |
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a mountain village on a plateau in Crete. |
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P.1436 - §3 On the mountainside in Crete Jesus had his first long talk with Gonod regarding religion. And the father was much impressed, saying: "No wonder the boy believes everything you tell him, but I never knew they had such a religion even in Jerusalem, much less in Damascus." It was during the island sojourn that Gonod first proposed to Jesus that he go back to India with them, and Ganid was delighted with the thought that Jesus might consent to such an arrangement. |
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An old man in a mountain village in Crete. |
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a Greek church in a mountain village. |
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P.1436 - §2 The travelers had but one purpose in going to Crete, and that was to play, to walk about over the island, and to climb the mountains. |
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P.1437 - §2 The young man was disinclined to talk, and so Jesus made a second approach to his soul, saying: "I understand you come up in these hills to get away from folks; so, of course, you do not want to talk with me, but I would like to know whether you are familiar with these hills; do you know the direction of the trails? and, perchance, could you inform me as to the best route to Phenix?" Now this youth was very familiar with these mountains, and he really became much interested in telling Jesus the way to Phenix, so much so that he marked out all the trails on the ground and fully explained every detail. But he was startled and made curious when Jesus, after saying good-bye and making as if he were taking leave, suddenly turned to him, saying: "I well know you wish to be left alone with your disconsolation; but it would be neither kind nor fair for me to receive such generous help from you as to how best to find my way to Phenix and then unthinkingly to go away from you without making the least effort to answer your appealing request for help and guidance regarding the best route to the goal of destiny which you seek in your heart while you tarry here on the mountainside. As you so well know the trails to Phenix, having traversed them many times, so do I well know the way to the city of your disappointed hopes and thwarted ambitions. And since you have asked me for help, I will not disappoint you." The youth was almost overcome, but he managed to stammer out, "But--I did not ask you for anything--" And Jesus, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder, said: "No, son, not with words but with longing looks did you appeal to my heart. My boy, to one who loves his fellows there is an eloquent appeal for help in your countenance of discouragement and despair. Sit down with me while I tell you of the service trails and happiness highways which lead from the sorrows of self to the joys of loving activities in the brotherhood of men and in the service of the God of heaven." |
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P.1436 - §5 One thing happened on a visit to Fair
Havens which Ganid never forgot; the memory of this episode always caused
him to wish he might do something to change the caste system of his native
India. A drunken degenerate was attacking a slave girl on the public highway.
When Jesus saw the plight of the girl, he rushed forward and drew the maiden
away from the assault of the madman. While the frightened child clung to
him, he held the infuriated man at a safe distance by his powerful extended
right arm until the poor fellow had exhausted himself beating the air with
his angry blows. Ganid felt a strong impulse to help Jesus handle the affair,
but his father forbade him. Though they could not speak the girl's language,
she could understand their act of mercy and gave token of her heartfelt
appreciation as they all three escorted her home. This was probably as near
a personal encounter with his fellows as Jesus ever had throughout his entire
life in the flesh. But he had a difficult task that evening trying to explain
to P.1437 - §0 Ganid why he did not smite the drunken man. Ganid thought this man should have been struck at least as many times as he had struck the girl. |