promise to him that overcometh, which I made from this My true throne of glory, through thee, ’in the isle that is called Patmos’—­precious name even here because of thy ‘testimony for’ Me.  That promise I now fulfil in thee.  O John, one of My chosen Twelve on earth; yea more, one of My chosen three; yet more, My beloved one, here in Heaven, now, ’Sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father in His throne.’”

CHAPTER XXXIII

Legends and Traditions of St. John

After closing the history of St. John, we linger over the traditions that cluster about his later years.  They reveal the feelings of the early Church toward him who was the last of the Apostolic band, and the last who had seen their Lord.

There is one legend so beautiful, so much like him, that we can almost believe it as having a fitting place in his history.  It belongs to the time when he preached in the magnificent Church which Christians had reared for him in Ephesus.  We may not credit the story that on his brow he wore a golden plate engraven with the inscription, “Holiness to the Lord,” but we can almost imagine it written there.  His memorable appearance and his tender manner, the loving voice with which he told the story of his Lord, fastened all eyes upon him, and opened all ears to his message of salvation.  There was one, a young man, who standing in the distance, looked and listened with such eager interest as to attract the attention of the Apostle.  In repentance and faith he found the peace which nothing else can give.  He was baptized and numbered with the Ephesian Christians.  St. John took special interest in him, training him in Christian doctrine, and preparing him for a useful life.  When the hour for John’s banishment came, in his anxiety for the youth, he committed him to the care of the Bishop of the place, whom he charged to be faithful in teaching and spiritual guidance.

But the youth was exposed to many temptations from the heathen about him.  Their songs and dances and wine again charmed him as they did before he heard the preaching of John.  He yielded to their influences, and renounced his profession of Christianity.  In the absence of the Apostle, the reproofs of the Bishop only maddened him.  He no longer attended the services of the Church, or sought the companionship of Christians.  Having entered the paths of sin, he wandered farther and farther therein.  At last he committed a crime against the government.  In fear of punishment he fled from Ephesus, and joined a company of robbers and bandits in the wild ravines of the mountains.  Though young in years, he was so cunning and bold in crime that he became the leader of the band.  Inspired by his daring spirit they were ready for deeds of violence that made them the terror of the whole region.

On John’s return from his exile in Patmos to Ephesus, he longed to know of the welfare of the young disciple, who had been to him as an adopted son, ever present to his mind and heart in his lonely island.  The Bishop, with downcast eyes, sorrow and shame, declared, “He is dead.”  “How?” asked John, “and by what death?” “He is dead to God,” said the Bishop.  “He has turned out wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber.”