Volume 2

The New Year Celebration
345
consIstIng of food, raiment, and covers. Everyone that
received presents from his friends bestowed a part of
them upon the poor. The Rechabites present superintended
and directed all things. They saw what each one
gave to the poor and how it was distributed. They kept
three lists, in which they secretly recorded the generosity
of the donors. One of these lists was called the Book of
Life; another, the Middle Way; and the third, the Book
of Death. It was customary for the Rechabites to exercise
all such offices, while in the Temple they were gatekeepers,
treasurers, and above all, chanters. This last office
they fulfilled on today's feast. Jesus also received
presents in Betharamphtha of clothing, covers, and
money, all of which He caused to be distributed among
the poor.
During the feast Jesus went to visit the pagans. Abigail
had pressed Him earnestly to come to see her, and the
Jews themselves, upon whom she bestowed many
benefits, had begged Him to have an interview with her.
I saw Jesus with some of His disciples crossing the
Jewish quarter of the city to that of the pagans. He
reached the public pleasure grounds, pleasant and shady,
that lay between the two quarters, and where the Jews
and pagans usually met when necessary. Abigail was
already there with her suite, her five grown daughters,
many other heathen maidens, and some pagan followers.
Abigail was a tall, vigorous woman of about fifty years,
almost the same age as Philip. She wore an expression of
sadness and anxious yearning. She sighed after instruction
and conversion to a better life, but she knew not
how to set about its attainment, for she was not allowed
to act freely and was jealously watched by her wardens.
She cast herself at Jesus' feet. He raised her up and,
walking up and down, instructed her and her conlpanions.
He spoke of the fulfillment of the Prophecies, of the
vocation of the Gentiles, and of Baptism. From all the