Page 541 - Bible History

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514 CHRIST REDE MS THE WORLD
bled beneath its load. Just as they reached the gates of the city, He staggered and fell to the ground.
Seeing how weak our blessed Savior had become, the four soldiers who were guarding Him were afraid that He would die before he reached Golgotha. A man was coming into the city from the country. His name was Simon and, though a Jew, he was a stranger in the land, being a native of Cyrene. From his dress and general appearance, he seemed to be a laboring man or a farmer. The soldiers laid hold of him and, though he struggled with them and objected strongly, they forced him to carry the cross after Jesus.
The news that Jesus had been condemned to be cru­ ci ed spread throughout the city. A mob of people followed the procession, and as it passed through the city, people came out of their houses or gathered in crowds at the street corners. Many in the crowd were friends of Jesus and many others, when they saw Him, were lled with pity.
Many women had gathered at the gate of the city. Whilst the soldiers were forcing Simon to take the cross, Jesus was lying on the ground. Now two of the soldiers raised Him up and, one on either side of Him, they started once more for Golgotha, half carrying Him.
This sight wrung from the hearts of the women a cry of pity, and they began to weep loudly. Turning His face toward them, Jesus said, '' Daughters of Jeru­ salem, weep not over Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your ch dren. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall they do in the dry?"
"W
t r Me"