THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

│ Non-printable characteristics have been given the following │ │ This book was written in a period when many words had │ │ not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have │ │ multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in │ │ the text. These have been left unchanged unless indicated │ │ The symbol ‘‡’ indicates the description in parenthesis has │ │ been added to an illustration. This may be needed if there │ │ is no caption or if the caption does not describe the image │ │ Footnotes are identified in the text with a number in │ │ brackets and have been accumulated in a single section │ │ at the end of the text. │ │ text or to provide additional information for the modern │ │ reader. These notes are identified in the text by a ♦ symbol, │ │ and are accumulated in a single section at the end of the │

Illustration: F. T. Stuart Eng. Boston

I am yours very truly John S. C. Abbott.

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY:

CONSISTING OF THE

LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH;

THE ADVENTURES OF PAUL AND THE APOSTLES;

AND The Most Interesting Events in the Progress of Christianity,

FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME.

BY

JOHN S. C. ABBOTT,

AUTHOR OF “THE MOTHER AT HOME,” “LIFE OF NAPOLEON,”

“LIFE OF FREDERIC THE GREAT,” ETC.

BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY B. B. RUSSELL, 55 CORNHILL.

PHILADELPHIA: QUAKER-CITY PUBLISHING-HOUSE. SAN FRANCISCO: A. L. BANCROFT & CO. DETROIT, MICH.: R. D. S. TYLER.

1872.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

_Boston_: _Stereotyped and Printed by Rand, Avery, & Co._

TO THE MEMBERS OF

The Second Congregational Church and Society

IN FAIR HAVEN, CONNECTICUT,

This Volume

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

BY THEIR FRIEND AND PASTOR,

JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

PREFACE.

THE author of this volume has for many years, at intervals, been engaged in its preparation. It has long seemed to him very desirable that a brief, comprehensive, and readable narrative of the origin of Christianity, and of its struggles and triumphs, should be prepared, adapted to the masses of the people. There are many ecclesiastical histories written by men of genius and erudition. They are, however, read by few, excepting professional theologians. The writer is not aware that there is any popular history of the extraordinary events involved in the progress of Christianity which can lure the attention of men, even of Christians, whose minds are engrossed by the agitations of busy life.

And yet there is no theme more full of sublime, exciting, and instructive interest. All the heroism which the annals of chivalry record pale into insignificance in presence of the heroism with which the battles of the cross have been fought, and with which Christians, in devotion to the interests of humanity, have met, undaunted, the most terrible doom.

The task is so difficult wisely to select and to compress within a few hundred pages the momentous events connected with Christianity during nearly nineteen centuries, that more than once the writer has been tempted to lay aside his pen in despair. Should this book fail to accomplish the purpose which he prayerfully seeks to attain, he hopes that some one else may be incited to make the attempt who will be more successful.

In writing the life of Jesus, the author has accepted the narratives of the evangelists as authentic and reliable, and has endeavored to give a faithful, and, so far as possible, a chronological account of what Jesus said and did, as he would write of any other distinguished personage. The same principle has guided him in tracing out the career of Paul and the apostles.

It has not been the object of the writer to urge any new views, or to discuss controverted questions of church polity or theology. This is a history of facts, not a philosophical or theological discussion of the principles which these facts may involve. No one, however, can read this narrative without the conviction that the religion of Jesus, notwithstanding the occasional perversions of human depravity or credulity, has remained essentially one and the same during all the centuries. We need no additional revelation. The gospel of Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” In its propagation lies the only hope of the world. Its universal acceptance will usher in such a day of glory as this world has never witnessed since the flowers of Eden wilted.

JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

FAIR HAVEN, CONN.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY MINISTRY, OF JESUS.

The Roman Empire.――Moral Influence of Jesus.――John.――The Annunciation.――The Birth of Jesus.――Visit of the Magi.――Wrath of Herod.――Flight to Egypt.――Return to Nazareth.――Jesus in the Temple.――John the Baptist.――The Temptation.――The First Disciples. ――The First Miracle.――Visit to Jerusalem.――Nicodemus.――The Woman of Samaria.――Healing of the Nobleman’s Son.――Visit to Capernaum. ――Peter and Andrew called.――James and John called.――The Demoniac healed.――Tour through Galilee.

CHAPTER II.

TOUR THROUGH GALILEE.

The Horns of Hattin.――The Sermon on the Mount.――Jesus goes to Capernaum.――The Miraculous Draught of Fishes.――Healing the Leper; the Paralytic.――Associates with Publicans and Sinners.――The Feast of the Passover.――The Cripple at the Pool.――The Equality of the Son with the Father.――Healing the Withered Hand.――Anger of the Pharisees.――The Twelve Apostles chosen.――Inquiry of John the Baptist.――Jesus dines with a Pharisee.――The Anointment. ――Journey through Galilee.――Stilling the Tempest.――The Demoniacs and the Swine.――The Daughter of Jairus.――Restores Sight to the Blind.――Address to his Disciples.

CHAPTER III.

THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS, AND MIRACLES OF HEALING.

Infamy of Herod.――Jesus in the Desert.――Feeds the Five Thousand. ――Walks on the Sea.――Preaches to the People.――Visits Tyre and Sidon.――The Syro-Phoenician Woman.――Cures all Manner of Diseases. ――Feeds the Four Thousand.――Restores Sight to a Blind Man. ――Conversation with Peter.――The Transfiguration.――Cure of the Lunatic.――Dispute of the Apostles.――Law of Forgiveness.――Visits Jerusalem.――Plot to seize Jesus.――The Adulteress.――Jesus the Son of God.――The Blind Man.――Parable of the Good Shepherd.――Raising of Lazarus.

CHAPTER IV.

LAST LABORS, AND FAREWELL TO HIS DISCIPLES.

Journey to Jerusalem.――Mission of the Seventy.――Jesus teaches his Disciples to pray.――Lament over Jerusalem.――Return to Galilee. ――The Second Coming of Christ.――Dangers of the Rich.――Promise to his Disciples.――Foretells his Death.――Zacchaeus.――Mary anoints Jesus.――Enters Jerusalem.――Drives the Traffickers from the Temple.――The Pharisees try to entrap him.――The Destruction of Jerusalem, and the Second Coming.――Judas agrees to betray Jesus. ――The Last Supper.――The Prayer of Jesus.

CHAPTER V.

ARREST, TRIAL, AND CRUCIFIXION.

Anguish of Jesus.――His Prayers in the Garden.――The Arrest.――Peter’s Recklessness.――Flight of the Apostles.――Jesus led to Annas; to Caiaphas.――Jesus affirms that he is the Messiah.――Frivolous Accusations.――Peter denies his Lord.――Jesus is conducted to Pilate.――The Examination.――Scourging the Innocent.――Insults and Mockery.――Rage of the Chief Priests and Scribes.――Embarrassment of Pilate.――He surrenders Jesus to his Enemies.――The Crucifixion. ――The Resurrection.――Repeated Appearance to his Disciples.

CHAPTER VI.

THE CONVERSION AND MINISTRY OF SAUL OF TARSUS.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost.――Boldness of the Apostles.――Anger of the Rulers.――Martyrdom of Stephen.――Baptism of the Eunuch. ――Saul’s Journey to Damascus.――His Conversion.――The Disciples fear him.――His Escape from the City.――Saul in Jerusalem.――His Commission to the Gentiles.――The Conversion of Cornelius.――The Vision of Peter.――Persecution of the Disciples.――Imprisonment of Peter.――Saul and Barnabas in Antioch.――Punishment of Elymas. ――Missionary Tour.――Incidents and Results.

CHAPTER VII.

MISSIONARY ADVENTURES.

The First Controversy.――Views of the Two Parties.――Council at Jerusalem.――Results of Council.――The Letter.――Vacillation of Peter.――Rebuked by Paul.――The Missionary Excursion of Paul and Barnabas.――They traverse the Island of Cyprus.――Land on the Coast of Asia Minor.――Mark returns to Syria.――Results of this Tour.――Paul and Silas set out on a Second Tour through Asia Minor.――Cross the Hellespont.――Introduction of Christianity to Europe.――Heroism of Paul at Philippi.――Tour through Macedonia and Greece.――Character of Paul’s Preaching.――Peter’s Description of the Final Conflagration.――False Charges.――Paul in Athens; in Corinth.――Return to Jerusalem.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CAPTIVE IN CHAINS.

The Third Missionary Tour.――Paul at Ephesus.――The Great Tumult. ――The Voyage to Greece.――Return to Asia Minor and to Jerusalem. ――His Reception at Jerusalem.――His Arrest, and the Riot.――Speech to the Mob.――Paul imprisoned.――Danger of Assassination. ――Transferred to Caesarea.――His Defence before Festus and Agrippa. ――The Appeal to Caesar.――The Voyage to Rome.――The Shipwreck. ――Continued Captivity.

CHAPTER IX.

THE FIRST PERSECUTION.

The Population of Rome.――The Reign of Tiberius Caesar.――His Character and Death.――The Proposal to deify Jesus.――Caligula. ――His Crimes, and the Earthly Retribution.――Nero and his Career. ――His Crimes and Death.――The Spirit of the Gospel.――Sufferings of the Christians.――Testimony of Tacitus.――Testimony of Chrysostom.――Panic in Rome.――The Sins and Sorrows of weary Centuries.――Noble Sentiments of the Bishop of Rome.

CHAPTER X.

ROMAN EMPERORS, GOOD AND BAD.

Character of the Roman Army.――Conspiracy of Otho.――Death of Galba.――Vitellius Emperor.――Revolt of the Jews, and Destruction of Jerusalem.――Reign of Vespasian.――Character of Titus; of Domitian.――Religion of Pagan Rome.――Nerva.――Anecdotes of St. John.――Exploits of Trajan.――Letter of Pliny.――Letter of Trajan.

CHAPTER XI.

MARTYRDOM.

The Martyrdom of Ignatius.――Death of Trajan.――Succession of Adrian.――Infidel Assaults.――Celsus.――The Apology of Quadrat. ――The Martyrdom of Symphorose and her Sons.――Character and Death of Adrian.――Antoninus.――Conversion of Justin Martyr.――His Apology. ――Marcus Aurelius.――Hostility of the Populace.――The Martyrdom of Polycarp.

CHAPTER XII.

PAGAN ROME.

Infamy of Commodus.――His Death.――The Reign of Pertinax.――The Mob of Soldiers.――Death of Pertinax.――Julian purchases the Crown. ――Rival Claimants.――Severus.――Persecutions.――Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas.――The Reign of Caracalla.――Fiendlike Atrocities.――Elagabalus, Priest of the Sun.――Death by the Mob. ――Alexander and his Mother.――Contrast between Paganism and Christianity.――The Sin of Unbelief.

CHAPTER XIII.

SIN AND MISERY.

Maximin the Goth.――Brutal Assassination of Alexander.――Merciless Proscription.――Revolt of the Army on the Danube.――Rage of Maximin.――His March upon Rome.――Consternation in the Capital. ――Assassination of Maximin.――Successors to the Throne.――Popular Suffrage unavailing.――Persecution under Decius.――Individual Cases.――Extent of the Roman Empire.――Extent of the Persecution. ――Heroism of the Christians.

CHAPTER XIV.

INVASION, CIVIL WAR, AND UNRELENTING PERSECUTION.

AEmilianus and Valerian.――Barbaric Hordes.――Slavery and its Retribution.――Awful Fate of Valerian.――Ruin of the Roman Empire. ――Zenobia and her Captivity.――The Slave Diocletian becomes Emperor.――His Reign, Abdication, Death.――Division of the Empire.――Terrible Persecution.――The Glory of Christianity. ――Characteristics of the First Three Centuries.――Abasement of Rome.

CHAPTER XV.

CONSTANTINE.――THE BANNER OF THE CROSS UNFURLED.

Helena, the Christian Empress.――Constantine, her Son, favors the Christians.――Crumbling of the Empire.――Constantine the Christian, and Maxentius the Pagan.――Vision of Constantine.――The Unfurled Cross.――Christianity favored by the Court.――Licinius defends the Christians.――Writings of Eusebius.――Apostasy of Licinius.――Cruel Persecution.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CONVERSION OF CONSTANTINE.

The Arian Controversy.――Sanguinary Conflict between Paganism and Christianity.――Founding of Constantinople.――The Council of Nice. ――Its Decision.――Duplicity of some of the Arians.――The Nicene Creed.――Tragic Scene in the Life of Constantine.――His Penitence and true Conversion.――His Baptism, and Reception into the Church. ――Charles V.――The Emperor Napoleon I.

CHAPTER XVII.

JULIAN THE APOSTATE.

The Devotion of Constantine to Christianity.――Constantius and the Barbarians.――Conspiracy of Magnentius.――The Decisive Battle.――Decay of Rome.――Fearful Retribution.――Noble Sentiments of the Bishop of Alexandria.――Death of Constantius.――Gallus and Julian.――Julian enthroned.――His Apostasy.――His Warfare against Christianity.――Unavailing Attempt to rebuild Jerusalem. ――Persecution.――His Expedition to the East, and Painful Death.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS OF JULIAN.

Anecdote.――Accession of Jovian.――His Character.――Christianity reinstated.――Death of Jovian.――Recall of Athanasius.――Wide Condemnation of Arianism.――Heroism of Jovian.――Valentinian and Valens.――Valentinian enthroned.――Valens in the East.――Barbarian Irruptions.――Reign of Theodosius.――Aspect of the Barbarians. ――Rome captured by Alaric.――Character of Alaric.――His Death and Burial.――Remarkable Statement of Adolphus.――Attila the Hun. ――Valentinian III.――Acadius.――Eloquence of Chrysostom.――His Banishment and Death.――Rise of Monasticism.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE FIFTH CENTURY.

Christianity the only Possible Religion.――Adventures of Placidia. ――Her Marriage with Adolphus the Goth.――Scenes of Violence and Crime.――Attila the Hun.――Nuptials of Idaho.――Eudoxia and her Fate.――Triumph of Odoacer the Goth.――Character of the Roman Nobles.――Conquests of Theodoric.――John Chrysostom.――The Origin of Monasticism.――Augustine.――His Dissipation, Conversion, and Christian Career.

CHAPTER XX.

CENTURIES OF WAR AND WOE.

Convulsions of the Sixth Century.――Corruption of the Church.――The Rise of Monasteries.――Rivalry between Rome and Constantinople. ――Mohammed and his Career.――His Personal Appearance.――His System of Religion.――His Death.――Military Expeditions of the Moslems. ――The Threatened Conquest of Europe.――Capture of Alexandria. ――Burning of the Library.――Rise of the Feudal System. ――Charlemagne.――Barbarian Antagonism to Christianity.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE DARK AGES.

The Anticipated Second Coming of Christ.――State of the World in the Tenth Century.――Enduring Architecture.――Power of the Papacy.――Vitality of the Christian Religion.――The Pope and the Patriarch.――Intolerance of Hildebrand.――Humiliation of the Emperor Henry IV.――Farewell Letter of Monomaque.――The Crusades. ――Vladimir of Russia.――His Introduction of Christianity to his Realms.――Marriage with the Christian Princess Anne.――Extirpation of Paganism.――The Baptism.――The Spiritual Conversion of Vladimir.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE REFORMATION.

Two Aspects of Catholicism.――Jubilee at Rome.――Infamy of Philip of France.――Banditti Bishops.――Sale of Indulgences.――Tetzel the Peddler.――The Rise of Protestantism.――Luther and the Diet at Worms.――Intolerance of Charles V.――Civil War and its Reverses. ――Perfidy of Charles V.――Coalition against the Protestants. ――Abdication and Death.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW.

Principles of the two Parties.――Ferdinand’s Appeal to the Pope. ――The Celibacy of the Clergy.――Maximilian.――His Protection of the Protestants.――The Reformation in France.――Jeanne d’Albret, Queen of Navarre.――Proposed Marriage of Henry of Navarre and Marguerite of France.――Perfidy of Catharine de Medici.――The Nuptials.――The Massacre of St. Bartholomew.――Details of its Horrors.――Indignation of Protestant Europe.――Death of Charles IX.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE CHURCH IN MODERN TIMES.

Character of Henry III.――Assassination of the Duke of Guise. ――Cruel Edicts of Louis XIV.――Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. ――Sufferings of Protestants.――Important Question.――Thomas Chalmers.――Experiment at St. John.――His Labors and Death. ――Jonathan Edwards.――His Resolutions.――His Marriage.――His Trials. ――His Death.――John Wesley.――His Conversion.――George Whitefield. ――First Methodist Conference.――Death of Wesley.――Robert Hall. ――His Character and Death.――William Paley.――His Works and Death. ――The Sabbath.――Power of the Gospel.――Socrates.――Scene on the Prairie.――The Bible.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, AND MAPS.

PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR.

LIKENESS OF JESUS.

THE LAST SUPPER.

VISION OF THE CROSS (CONSTANTINE).

REFORMERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

EMINENT CLERGY OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

MAP OF PALESTINE.

MAP OF TRAVELS OF ST. PAUL.

Illustration: (‡ Decoration)

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY.

CHAPTER I.

THE BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY MINISTRY, OF JESUS.

The Roman Empire.――Moral Influence of Jesus.――John.――The Annunciation.――The Birth of Jesus.――Visit of the Magi.――Wrath of Herod.――Flight to Egypt.――Return to Nazareth.――Jesus in the Temple.――John the Baptist.――The Temptation.――The First Disciples. ――The First Miracle.――Visit to Jerusalem.――Nicodemus.――The Woman of Samaria.――Healing of the Nobleman’s Son.――Visit to Capernaum. ――Peter and Andrew called.――James and John called.――The Demoniac healed.――Tour through Galilee.

NO one now takes much interest in the history of the world before the coming of Christ. The old dynasties of Babylon, Media, Assyria, are but dim spectres lost in the remoteness of the long-forgotten past. Though the Christian lingers with solemn pleasure over the faintly-revealed scenes of patriarchal life, still he feels but little personal interest in the gorgeous empires which rise and disappear before him in those remote times, in spectral vision, like the genii of an Arabian tale.

Thebes, Palmyra, Nineveh,――palatial mansions once lined their streets, and pride and opulence thronged their dwellings: but their ruins have faded away, their rocky sepulchres are swept clean by the winds of centuries; and none but a few antiquarians now care to know of their prosperity or adversity, of their pristine grandeur or their present decay.

All this is changed since the coming of Christ. Eighteen centuries ago a babe was born in the stable of an inn, in the Roman province of Judaea. The life of that babe has stamped a new impress upon the history of the world. When the child Jesus was born, all the then known nations of the earth were in subjection to one government,――that of Rome.

The Atlantic Ocean was an unexplored sea, whose depths no mariner ever ventured to penetrate. The Indies had but a shadowy and almost fabulous existence. Rumor said, that over the wild, unexplored wastes of interior Asia, fierce tribes wandered, sweeping to and fro, like demons of darkness; and marvellous stories were told of their monstrous aspect and fiendlike ferocity.

The Mediterranean Sea, then the largest body of water really known upon the globe, was but a Roman lake. It was the central portion of the Roman Empire. Around its shores were clustered the thronged provinces and the majestic cities which gave Rome celebrity above all previous dynasties, and which invested the empire of the Caesars with fame that no modern kingdom, empire, or republic, has been able to eclipse.

A few years before the birth of Christ, Julius Caesar perished in the senate-chamber at Rome, pierced by the daggers of Brutus and other assassins. At the great victory of Pharsalia, Caesar had struck down his only rival Pompey, and had concentrated the power of the world in his single hand. His nephew Octavius, the second Caesar, surnamed Augustus, or the August, was, at the time Jesus was born, the monarch of the world. Notwithstanding a few nominal restraints, he was an absolute sovereign, without any constitutional checks. It is not too much to say, that his power was unlimited. He could do what he pleased with the property, the liberty, and the lives of every man, woman, and child of more than three hundred millions composing the Roman Empire. Such power no mortal had ever swayed before. Such power no mortal will ever sway again.

Fortunately for humanity, Octavius Caesar was, in the main, a good man. He merited the epithet of _August_. Though many of the vices of paganism soiled his character, still, in accordance with the dim light of those dark days, he endeavored to wield his immense power in promotion of the welfare of his people.

Little did this Roman emperor imagine, as he sat enthroned in his gorgeous palace upon the Capitoline Hill, that a babe slumbering in a manger at Bethlehem, an obscure hamlet in the remote province of Syria, and whose infant wailings perhaps blended with the bleating of the goat or the lowing of the kine, was to establish an empire, before which all the power of the Caesars was to dwindle into insignificance.

But so it was. Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, has become, beyond all others, whether philosophers, warriors, or kings, the most conspicuous being who ever trod this globe. Before the name of Jesus of Nazareth all others fade away. Uneducated, he has introduced principles which have overthrown the proudest systems of ancient philosophy. By the utterance of a few words, all of which can be written on half a dozen pages, he has demolished all the pagan systems which pride and passion and power had then enthroned. The Roman gods and goddesses――Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Bacchus, Diana――have fled before the approach of the religion of Jesus, as fabled spectres vanish before the dawn.

Jesus, the “Son of man” and the “Son of God,” has introduced a system of religion so comprehensive, that it is adapted to every conceivable situation in life; so simple, that the most unlearned, and even children, can comprehend it.

This babe of Bethlehem, whose words were so few, whose brief life was so soon ended, and whose sacrificial death upon the cross was so wonderful, though dead, still lives and reigns in this world,――a monarch more influential than any other, or all other sovereigns upon the globe. His empire has advanced majestically, with ever-increasing power, down the path of eighteen centuries; and few will doubt that it is destined to take possession of the whole world.

The Caesars have perished, and their palaces are in ruins. The empire of Charlemagne has risen, like one of those gorgeous clouds we often admire, brilliant with the radiance of the setting sun; and, like that cloud, it has vanished forever. Charles V. has marshalled the armies of Europe around his throne, and has almost rivalled the Caesars in the majesty of his sway; and, like a dream, the vision of his universal empire has fled.

But the kingdom of Jesus has survived all these wrecks of empires. Without a palace or a court, without a bayonet or a sabre, without any emoluments of rank or wealth or power offered by Jesus to his subjects, his kingdom has advanced steadily, resistlessly, increasing in strength every hour, crushing all opposition, triumphing over all time’s changes; so that, at the present moment, the kingdom of Jesus is a stronger kingdom, more potent in all the _elements of influence_ over the human heart, than all the other governments of the earth.

There is not a man upon this globe who would now lay down his life from love for any one of the numerous monarchs of Rome; but there are millions who would go joyfully to the dungeon or the stake from love for that Jesus who commenced his earthly career in the manger of a country inn, whose whole life was but a scene of poverty and suffering, and who finally perished upon the cross in the endurance of a cruel death with malefactors.

As this child, from the period of whose birth time itself is now dated, was passing through the season of infancy and childhood, naval fleets swept the Mediterranean Sea, and Roman legions trampled bloodily over subjugated provinces. There were conflagrations of cities, ravages of fields, fierce battles, slaughter, misery, death. Nearly all these events are now forgotten; but the name of Jesus of Nazareth grows more lustrous as the ages roll on.

The events which preceded the birth of Jesus cannot be better described than in the language of the inspired writers:――

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren; and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord; and the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

“And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And, when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.