Thus it came about that Miriam grew learned and well acquainted with many matters of which most girls of her day and years had never even heard.

Nor did she lack knowledge of the things of her own faith, though in these the Essenes did not instruct her further than its doctrines tallied with their own.

Of the rest, Nehushta told her something; moreover, on several occasions Christian travellers or preachers visited this country to address the Essenes or the other Jews who dwelt there.

When they learned her case, these showed themselves very eager to inform her of the Christian doctrine.

Among them was one old man who had heard the preaching of Jesus Christ, and been present at His Crucifixion, to all of which histories the girl listened with eagerness, remembering them to the last hour of her life.
Further, and perhaps this was the best part of her education, she lived in the daily company of Nature.