We saw John in his rambles about his home, amid scenes beautiful in themselves, which became sacred because of what he there beheld and heard.

We discovered his relationship to a child in Nazareth whom he did not know at first as the most wonderful being in the world.

We entered his home and visited the school where he was taught of Him who was called the coming Messiah; but who had already come, though his parents and teachers knew it not.

We followed him as a Jewish boy into the Temple, whose glories were to become more glorious in his manhood by what he beheld therein.

We saw him on the Jordan, standing with his kindred and namesake, who pointed him to Jesus as the Messiah for whom he had been looking.  From that hour we have known him as a disciple of Jesus, later as one of his twelve Apostles, then one of the chosen three, then the one—­the beloved Disciple.

Through his eyes we have beheld the wonderful works of our Lord:  with his ears we have heard the most wonderful words ever spoken to man.  We have caught glimpses of him in most wonderful scenes which he was almost the only one to behold—­amid the glories of the transfiguration, in the death-chamber changed to that of life, in the shadows of Gethsemane.

We have learned through John the sacredness of human friendships, made closer and holier by friendship with the loved and loving Lord.  He has been our guide to the Upper Room of joy and sadness; to the Priestly Palace of suffering and of shame; to the cross of agony and death; to the tomb of surprise and exaltation; to the mount of final blessing and ascension.

[Illustration:  PERGAMOS AND THE RUINS OF THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN
              Old Engraving Page 233]

John saw what kings and prophets longed to see, but died without the sight—­the Messiah come.  He witnessed probably all the miracles of Jesus, from his first in Cana as a guest, to his last on the sea-shore as a host—­the signs of divine power inspired by pity and love.  He looked upon the enthusiastic but mistaken throng who in Galilee would force upon Jesus an unwelcome crown; then upon the multitudes who hailed him with hosannas on Olivet; then the maddened crowd who shouted through the streets of Jerusalem, “Crucify Him.”  He witnessed Christ’s movements when the multitudes gathered about Him for instruction and healing, and when he withdrew from them to pray.  His eyes were dazzled by the brightness of the transfiguration as he looked upon the form which at last was enshrouded in darkness on Calvary.  With another vision he beheld that form in Heaven itself.

On the Jordan he beheld Jesus as the Lamb of God which was to be offered as a sacrifice.  He saw the cross become His altar of sacrifice, and then in Heaven discerned Him as the “Lamb as it had been slain.”  He was witness of Christ’s joys and sorrows, shame and suffering, humiliation and exaltation, entering into them more fully than did any other human being.