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} - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } - -</style> -<title>ARIUS THE LIBYAN</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Arius the Libyan" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Nathan Chapman Kouns" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1914" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="42895" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-06-08" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Arius the Libyan" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Arius the Libyan" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="arius.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2013-06-08T17:13:46.228974+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42895" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Nathan Chapman Kouns" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2013-06-08" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a7 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="arius-the-libyan"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">ARIUS THE LIBYAN</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Arius the Libyan -<br /> -<br />Author: Nathan Chapman Kouns -<br /> -<br />Release Date: June 08, 2013 [EBook #42895] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>ARIUS THE LIBYAN</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">ARIUS -<br />THE LIBYAN</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics small">A ROMANCE</em><span class="small"> -<br /></span><em class="italics small">OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY -<br />NATHAN CHAPMAN KOUNS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">NEW YORK AND LONDON -<br />D. APPLETON AND COMPANY -<br />1914</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">COPYRIGHT BY -<br />D. APPLETON AND COMPANY -<br />1883.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Printed in the United States of America</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BOOK I.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#locus-in-quo">Locus in Quo</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#to-us-a-child-is-born-to-us-a-son-is-given">To Us a Child is Born: to Us a Son is Given</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#how-men-lived-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven">How Men lived in the Kingdom of Heaven</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#fine-training-for-a-christian-man">Fine Training for a Christian Man</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-pagan-hermit-old-and-gray">A Pagan Hermit, Old and Gray</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#flotson-of-the-middle-sea">Flotson of the Middle Sea</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#theckla-finds-one-god-and-heareth-of-another">Theckla finds One God and heareth of Another</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#who-is-hapi">Who is Hapi?</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-democracy-of-faith">The Democracy of Faith</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#faith-and-philosophy">Faith and Philosophy</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#for-the-work-s-sake">"For the Work's Sake"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-one-thing-needful">The One Thing Needful</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-net-result-of-law">The Net Result of Law</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-blind-receive-their-sight">The Blind Receive their Sight</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#love-and-parting">Love and Parting</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#before-the-temple-of-serapis">Before the Temple of Serapis</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#crucified-unto-the-world">Crucified unto the World</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BOOK II.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#his-most-catholic-majesty">"His Most Catholic Majesty"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-naval-question">A Naval Question</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-politics-of-religion">The Politics of Religion</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-prophecy-of-gaius">The Prophecy of Gaius</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-born-ecclesiastic">A Born Ecclesiastic</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-one-great-battle-of-christendom">The One Great Battle of Christendom!</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-subversion-of-the-primitive-church">The Subversion of the Primitive Church</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-abdication-of-constantine">The Abdication of Constantine</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#i-have-no-superior-but-christ">"I have no Superior but Christ"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-communion-of-the-saints">The Communion of the Saints</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#one-jot-that-passed-from-the-law">One Jot that passed from the Law</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-imperial-repentance">An Imperial Repentance</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#well-done-good-and-faithful-servant">Well done, Good and Faithful Servant</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="locus-in-quo"><span class="x-large">ARIUS THE LIBYAN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">BOOK I.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CHAPTER I.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LOCUS IN QUO.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A long time ago, Etearchus, King of Axus, in Crete, -married a second wife (as many better men have also -done), and she persuaded him to get rid of Phronime, -the pretty daughter of his former spouse. Thereupon -Etearchus agreed with a merchant of Thera that he would -take Phronime away in his ship and let her down into -the sea. The merchant, true to the letter of his bargain, -did let her down into the sea, but true also to that -natural tenderness toward a pretty woman which inspires the -breast of every man who is fit for anything in this world, -he quickly drew her up again by a rope which he had -fastened around her lissome waist for that purpose, and -conveyed her safely enough to Thera.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There Phronime met another man, Polymnestus by -name, a descendant of the ancient Minyæ, who also had a -keen eye for feminine beauty, and him she married. By -this Polymnestus our Phronime gave birth to a -man-child, who grew up to be a terrible stammerer, and was -therefore called Battus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And afterward, when Grinus, the Theran king, made -a pilgrimage to the oracle of Delphi to see whether the -oracle would tell him some remedy for a fearful drought -which then afflicted all the land of Thera, Battus the -Stammerer went along with him to see whether the same -sacred oracle would tell him some remedy by which to -cure himself of stuttering. To both of these suppliants -the oracle made the same answer, and this answer was as -follows: "FOUND A CITY IN LIBYA!" But they did -not know where Libya was, and were, therefore, very -low-spirited about finding any cure for the drought and for -the stammering; until it chanced that upon their homeward -voyage they fell in with an ancient fisherman, Corobius -by name, who had once been driven by storms upon the -African coast, and he undertook to pilot them to Libya.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And afterward, it was about 630 B.C., Battus the -Stutterer went with a colony to Libya, and founded there the -city of Cyrene, almost ten miles from the Mediterranean, -nearly two thousand feet above the level of the sea, with -the grand Barcan mountains rising between it and the great -desert of the same name. From this colony afterward -sprang (Pentapolis, the Grecian five-cities) Cyrene, Bernice, -Arsinoë, Barca, and Apollonia.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus far testifieth Herodotus, the father of history, -who, if not always entirely trustworthy, is certainly no -greater liar than the rest of the tribe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Battus became king of all Cyrenaica, and his descendants, -by the name of Battidæ, did rule that land, and -maintain the prosperity of Cyrene through eight generations, -until the Ptolemies of Egypt conquered the country, -and under their patronage Apollonia, the seaport, became -the chief city.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It would be a great error to suppose that because Cyrene -was on the northern coast of Africa, and near the vast and -arid Barcan Desert, it was therefore an unpleasant seat. On -the contrary, it may well be doubted whether a more -delightful locality can be found on earth. All Pentapolis is -remarkably healthful and pleasant, especially Cyrene and -its vicinity. The lofty mountain-range slopes gently away -to the very sands of earth's middle sea, the waters of which -temper the heat of the climate, while the high mountains -lying farther inland ward off the hot blasts of the -desert. In Cyrene, and between the city and the sea, a -luxuriant soil produces almost every fruit, flower, and -grain known to both tropical and temperate latitudes. The -grand fountain of Apollo, which the Arabs of our age -call 'Ain Sahât, gushed up in the very midst of it. The -mean temperature is 85° Fahr., and the variations thereof -are gradual and insignificant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the year 26 B.C., Apion, the last lineal descendant -of the Egyptian Ptolemies, bequeathed the city to the -Romans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Cyrene, so happily situated, became noted, not only for -its prosperity and salubriousness, but for the intellectual -life and activity of its inhabitants. It long possessed a -famous medical school; it gave to fame Callimachus, the -poet; Carneades, the founder of the new academy at -Athens; Aristippus, the disciple of Socrates; Eratosthenes, -the Polyhistor; and Synesius, one of the most elegant of -ancient Christian writers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Not far from beautiful and prosperous Cyrene, on one -of those gentle declivities which were washed by the waters -of the Mediterranean, there was, in A.D. 265, a comfortable -stone farm-house, pleasantly located in the midst of a -considerable tract of cultivated lands. The farm faced a -small bay and the limitless sea northwardly; southwardly -the high range of the Barcan mountains rolled grandly away, -their nearer slopes inclosing the farm between the highlands -and the bay, and imparting to the beautiful place a most -attractive sense of quiet and seclusion from the busy world. -The house was one story high, containing seven rooms, and -the ground plan of it was exactly the outline of a cross, -there being four rooms and a portico in the length thereof, -and three in its greatest width.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this house, in the last-named year, was born a -man-child, whose fate it was to become one of the grandest, -purest, least understood, and most systematically misrepresented -characters in human history--Arius the Libyan, the -Heretic--whose fortunes, good and evil, whose experiences, -heterodox or orthodox, shall be followed in these pages -with genuine love and admiration, with profoundest pity -also, and yet with a sincere desire to deal justly with his -grand and beautiful memory, seeking to "nothing -extenuate nor set down aught in malice."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="to-us-a-child-is-born-to-us-a-son-is-given"><span class="large">CHAPTER II.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">TO US A CHILD IS BORN: TO US A SON IS GIVEN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The family resident at the Libyan farm-house consisted -of only the swarthy Egyptian Ammonius; his young wife -Arete, who, although an Egyptian, had somehow acquired -a purely Greek name, a fact which indicated vast -influence that the great Grecian city of Alexandria had long -exerted over Egypt; and an old female domestic that had -belonged to Arete's mother during even her girlhood, and -was called Thopt, the abbreviation of some ancient Coptic -name, the letters of which still served to point out the fact -that in her infancy she had been dedicated to the service -of some one of the gods of the Nile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The tropical sun was just rising along the Libyan -coasts, when old Thopt came into the apartment in which -sat Ammonius awaiting news of his wife, bearing in her -arms a creature that was swaddled up in such innumerable -bandages that it looked like a new and diminutive -mummy, and, presenting this pygmy to the father, the old -woman said: "It is a man-child, and a fine one! But he -hath a forehead like a ram."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Ammonius carefully but awkwardly took the parcel -into his own hands, and looked upon it with curious -emotion, whereupon the manikin began to cry so suddenly -and vigorously that Ammonius would have let it drop -upon the floor if old Thopt had not seized it just as the -lapse began.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How fareth the little man's mother?" said he, "and -may I not go in to see her immediately?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She rallieth from her trial wonderfully," answered -old Thopt, "and even now inquireth after thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the great, rough, swarthy man went into his wife's -room, and, bending over her, he kissed her with exceeding -tenderness: "May the Lord help thee, mother," he said, -"for thou art mother now, and doubly dear to me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bless thee, husband!" said Arete; "and remember -that thou hast promised me that, if the babe should prove -to be a boy, thou wouldst have him educated for the -ministry of Christ. May the Lord raise him up for his own -glory!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!" replied Ammonius, fervently. "I did so promise -thee, Arete, and will so do if the Lord will. Already -our pleasant farm is so famous for its excellent cattle, that -whereas I did call the house Baucalis because, when the -wind bloweth from the east, the water runneth through -the narrow entrance into the little bay, with a murmur like -the gurgling of wine from a bottle, the neighbors call the -place Boucalis because they say that no land in all Cyrenaica -produceth more or better cattle. So, little mother, thou -need not fear but that with the cattle and with shipments -of corn to Alexandria, whence the merchants transport it -unto Puteoli and Rome far across the sea, we shall be able -to give thy boy all proper training to become a presbyter, -or even a bishop, if he liveth and showeth a godly disposition."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thou wilt never let the love of gain, nor of worldly -honors, grow upon thee until thou shalt repent thee of -this purpose, and so determine that it would be better for -the boy to betake himself to business affairs and acquire -wealth rather than to serve God wholly?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, verily," cried Ammonius; "for the matter lieth -nearer to my heart than even thou knowest, Arete."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For what reason, then, good husband?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have often told thee, little mother, that I was a -boy in a temple on the Nile, dedicated to Amun, or -Ammon, as mine idolatrous name doth signify, and that at an -early age I fled therefrom and betook myself to the river -and to the sea, and did prosper so that I got first an interest -in a ship, and afterward the sole ownership thereof, and -made many long and prosperous voyages. I have told -thee, also, in all details, how, on a voyage from Alexandria -unto Italy, the storm drove us upon a rocky island where -our destruction seemed imminent, until, while we all were -momently expecting death, a quiet and almost unnoticed -passenger, who had come from Antioch unto Alexandria and -was journeying with us to Puteoli, did pray for us to Jesus -Christ, and stilled the storm, and so saved the ship and all -our lives. I have often told thee how this good Bishop of -Antioch did lead me into the knowledge and love of -Christ, and how I sold my ship and cargo, and gave one -half of my property to the Church, that other Egyptians -might be converted, and with the other moiety bought this -farm, having known the pleasant coasts of Cyrenaica for -many years; and then returned to Alexandria to bring -thee hither that we might as stewards of the Lord manage -this estate together. But I did not tell thee that when -the bishop asked me whether I experienced any vocation -for the preaching of the word, and I did tell the holy man -that neither natural gifts nor education fitted me for that -sacred calling, I did then vow to the Lord that if any son -were given unto me I would teach him as far as I might be -able to do in the love and learning of the gospel, and -would send him unto Antioch to be more thoroughly -instructed. So thou seest, dear little mother, that not only -thine and mine own inclinations, but also mine obligation -given unto God, bindeth me to bestow upon the boy all the -teaching I can give unto him, and to afford to him every -reasonable opportunity for greater learning. And I pray -that he may escape the physical infirmity which, even -more than the lack of learning, hath kept me from the -public ministry of the word!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a strange and perplexing thing," laughed Arete, -"and yet amusing. For all the Christians of our region rely -upon thy strong good sense and modest learning in every -private matter, whether of business or of religion; yet -it seemeth so pitiful that, if thou standest upon thy -feet to speak to any assembly, thou dost straightway -begin to jerk and wriggle like a serpent, and to hiss and -stammer so that thou canst not talk intelligibly, although -thou hast more brains and learning than many who are -eloquent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I long thought it to be my duty to try to overcome -these physical defects, but, if at any time my heart is -deeply moved, I can not talk, and it is useless to try it any -more. We shall strive both by teaching and by prayer to -train the boy better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou not remember, Ammonius, that evening in -our boat upon the dear old Nile, what a distressful time -thou didst endure in thine attempt to ask me to become -thy wife?" And the little woman laughed and laughed -until her eyes were full of happy tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered Ammonius, "nor indeed do I think -that I did ever ask thee at all. I did, after many efforts, -get thee to say what words thou wouldst have a man use -who loved thee and wanted thee to be his wife, and all I -could do was to cry out, 'I say that to thee, Arete--I say -all that and more!' and in mine embarrassment verily I -could utter nothing else!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," laughed the little woman, "afterward I did -make thee say the words over and over again, albeit I -might almost as soon have trained a parrot to repeat them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I trust thou hast never regretted the trouble -thou didst take in teaching me how to court thee," said -Ammonius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, verily," she answered, "but I think it was the -most amusing courtship that hath ever happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, while husband and wife pleasantly conversed, old -Thopt brought the child back to his mother, and -announced that Christian women from other farms along the -coast had come to offer their congratulations and any -assistance that might be needed. It was singular to observe -that while the adjacent country, from Apollonia to -Cyrene, and all around, was settled by Egyptians, Greeks, -Jews, and Romans, and while some women and girls of -all of these nationalities, during the next few days, made -visits of sympathy to the family at Baucalis, none came -except those who were known to each other to be Christians, -no matter what their nationality might be. Practically the -faith of Jesus had broken down all ethnic, social, and -political barriers among those who professed it; and the -only class distinction which was recognized at all was -between those who were Christians and those who were not. -The persecution, which had begun seven years before under -the Emperor Valerian, had raged in Libya as fiercely as in -any portion of the Roman Empire, and, although intermittent -in its character, there had quite recently been cruelties -enough, extending in some instances to martyrdom, chiefly -at the instigation of Jewish and pagan priests, to render it -necessary for the Christians to conduct their religious rites -and social intercourse with a certain degree of secrecy, and -to preserve their ancient means of instantaneous recognition -in constant use, so that, when a Christian might meet -any one who was not familiarly known to him, an almost -imperceptible sign served as a challenge by which he was -instantly enabled to tell, without an inquiry or a spoken -word, whether the stranger might be a Christian or not. -Of course, if any one came who failed to recognize the -sign, another movement, almost as imperceptible, served to -warn all Christians present that there was one near them -who did not profess their faith; so that there was little -danger in their usual intercourse with each other or with -their pagan neighbors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the eighth day after the birth of the boy, a few -Christians assembled at the farm, and the services of a -presbyter of Cyrene were procured. They first engaged -in singing and in prayer, and then a portion of the gospel -was read and the communion administered, after which -the child was baptized. Preparatory to this ceremony -there was quite a discussion among them as to the name -by which the boy should be baptized, the young mother -being desirous to call him by the name of some of the holy -men who had suffered martyrdom for Jesus, or had -otherwise become especially dear and honored throughout the -Christian communities. To this the fatal objection was -urged that such a selection of a name might arouse -evil-minded neighbors to the fact that there were Christians -among them, and so render the family unnecessarily and -perhaps dangerously obnoxious to the malice of any who -might ever harbor ill-will against them. Ammonius -insisted upon calling the boy after the name of a Roman who -had been his partner in the old sea-faring days, and whom -he had highly esteemed, although he might be still a pagan -so far as Ammonius knew; and so the child was finally -christened "Arius."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is almost the Greek name of the god of war whom -the heathen worship," said the presbyter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He shall be a warrior," answered Ammonius--"a soldier -of Christ; and the military designation is not -inappropriate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is almost the name for a ram!" said another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I desire him to become the leader of a flock," said -Ammonius, "and the name is well enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is almost the name of one of the signs of the -zodiac," said another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I pray that the boy's thoughts and hopes may be -fixed upon celestial things," said Ammonius, "and the -name is well enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It almost signifies that he shall be most lean and -spare," said yet another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would not desire him to look like a glutton or a -drunkard," said Ammonius, "and surely the name is well -enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may signify 'entreated' or 'supplicated,' or 'execrated,' -or 'accursed,'" said the presbyter, "and is certainly -a strange name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would ever have him sought after by the good and -hated by the evil," answered Ammonius, "and I will not -change the name. Let him be called Arius. Besides," he -added, "what is in a name? Mine own idolatrous name -signifieth 'dedicated to Am-un,' yet I hope ye take me to -be a Christian. I call the farm Baucalis, from the murmur -of the waters on the garden shore, but ye call it Boucalis, -because it breedeth good cattle. Arius!--what doth it -matter whether it meaneth this or that? I know it for -the name of an honorable man and faithful friend, and, if -the boy become what I hope to see him, he shall make both -the name Baucalis and Arius loved and honored by the -faithful everywhere. If he turneth out ill, a prouder name -might be disgraced by him; therefore let him be called -Arius."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so the babe was christened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I perceive," said the presbyter, after the religious -services were ended and all of them partook of suitable -refreshments and engaged in conversation, "that thou -hast fixed thy heart upon having this child devoted unto -the service of our Lord. It seemeth strange to me that, -having such a pious desire for him, thou that art learned -and intelligent hast never thyself sought to preach the -gospel of our Lord!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I might truly have rejoiced so to do," answered -Ammonius, "but that the python's influence prevented me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The python!" exclaimed the presbyter; "why, brother, -what can the serpent have to do with thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This," replied Ammonius. "Some time before I -came into the world, at Alexandria, to which great city -strangers resort from the four quarters of the world even as -unto imperial Rome, there came certain priests out of -India to witness the ceremonies of a great festival in honor -of a new Apis, and in their train certain jugglers who -wrought various wonders, and carried with them immense -pythons which they had charmed and rendered harmless. -While my mother stood on the propylon of our house, -watching the vast procession, one of the pythons, that had -its tail entwined round the neck and body of an Indian -passing below, suddenly sprang up out of its coil erect, and -brandished its hideous head before my mother's face, so -that she fainted thereat with terror. When I came into -the world she was horrified at being able to trace out in -the conformation of my head and face the similitude of -the cobra; and with many prayers and offerings she had -me early dedicated to Ammon, thinking that perchance -the idol might remove the peculiarity of my features -which made me loathsome in her sight by continually -recalling the fearful image of the python. As I grew older, -this conformation largely faded out, but all my life, -whenever my feelings or passions are aroused, involuntary action -of the muscles runneth from the feet upward, and maketh -me to writhe like a serpent, and throweth a sibilant -sharpness into my voice, so that anything like public speaking is -well-nigh impossible to me; and I am compelled to master -all emotions and to preserve a perfect serenity of mind, in -order to avoid this serpentine appearance which is distressful -to some and fearful unto others, and am compelled to -speak in the slow, methodical manner thou hearest. But -for this affliction, I would gladly have entered into the -public service of the Master. God grant that my boy -inherit not this strange malady! Pray thou for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, most gladly and earnestly will I," said the -presbyter. "But repine thou not, my brother; for, although -thou preachest not publicly, thy godly walk and conversation -are a living sermon, which all who know thee must -ponder with delight and edification."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And afterward the presbyter departed, and all who -had attended the service went each one his own way, with -sincerest benedictions upon the little family of Baucalis, -and warmest sympathy with the earnest desire of the -parents that their babe might live and grow up to be a -minister of Christ.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="how-men-lived-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven"><span class="large">CHAPTER III.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">HOW MEN LIVED IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Soon the ripple of excitement caused by the arrival of -the young Arius at the Baucalis farm passed away, and the -life of the dwellers there resumed its wonted quiet. -Ammonius, generally bareheaded and naked from the waist -up and from the knees down, as the custom of the country -was, his olive skin glistening with healthful perspiration, -pursued the various labors of the farm, and his wife -attended to the fruits and vegetables nigh the house; and -old Thopt prepared their food, and did the washing which -their simple style of living rendered necessary; and both -women devoted the hours not otherwise employed to the -manufacture of woolen, cotton, and linen goods for domestic -uses. Neither Jewish, Greek, nor Roman women generally -adopted the luxurious manners and elegance of dress and -ornament common to noble or opulent Egyptians; and -those Egyptians who dwelt in the agricultural portions of -Cyrenaica, especially those who were Christians, followed -the simpler manners of the same classes among their -neighbors. At the Baucalis farm everything about the -house was scrupulously clean and neat, manifestly -designed for comfort and convenience, nothing for ostentation. -In the business of the place, out-doors and in-doors, -there was never seen any of that driving spirit which -indicates a thirst for accumulation, but all duties were -prosecuted as if reasonable diligence were esteemed to be both -a duty and a pleasure. At the end of a year's labor -Ammonius would have felt no concern at all if he had found -that he had not gained a single coin beyond the sum -requisite to pay taxes, but he would have experienced a -humiliating sense of shame and unworthiness if the -occupant of so fine a farm had failed to have enough and to -spare for every call of charity, for every reasonable claim -upon his hospitality, or for liberal contribution to every -work in which the Church was interested. Corn, wheat, and -barley, variously prepared for table use, a large variety of -fruits both preserved and fresh, and many kinds of vegetables, -formed their chief food. Fish of choice kinds, and in great -abundance, was in common use, and domestic fowls were -raised by all. The consumption of flesh was not an -everyday thing with these simple and healthful people. Twice, -or, at most, thrice a week neighbors would club together -and kill and part among themselves a kid or sheep. Beef -was little used among them, and was raised for market -chiefly. Swine's flesh they never used, and they wondered -at the Roman appetite for coarse, strong meat dishes. -The light, pleasant wine made everywhere along the coast -was in general use among them all. The every-day dress -of both sexes was cotton cloth, a short kilt reaching from -the shoulder to the knee, and over this, when not actively -at work, a loose gown covering the person from neck to -ankle, and confined at the waist with a girdle or sash of -bright-colored cloth. They had garments of finest wool -and linen for extraordinary occasions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In this region the Christian communities were not -formally organized upon the communistic basis of the -primitive Church, because all of them were in a nearly -equally prosperous condition, and there were none among -them who were "poor" in the sense of requiring assistance. -The few that were in any way incapacitated for earning a -livelihood were related by ties of blood to one or more -families, able and always willing to afford them every needful -comfort and assistance. But no Christian family was ever -known to refuse anything for which a needy person asked, -in money, clothing, food, or whatever they possessed; and -in this respect it made little difference what might be -the religion or nationality of the applicant. To refuse to -give to one that asked would have seemed to any of these -Christians to be a wicked, almost sacrilegious, violation of -the very words of Jesus: "</span><em class="italics">Give to him that asketh, and -from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou -away.</em><span>" They regarded all property of Christians as in the -ownership of the Church, and themselves only as stewards -intrusted with the management of this or that portion -thereof. Hence every call of presbyter or bishop for -assistance to less fortunate communities, and every individual -application for aid, was gladly and promptly responded -to; and they regarded it as part of their profession of faith -to find some healthful occupation for every one that was -able and willing to do anything for the common good. In -the cities of Cyrenaica were many Christians engaged in -multiform avocations, but even there the Christian -communities were so temperate and diligent that few among -them wanted anything; and the union of the faithful -furnished such a perfect safeguard against the ills of life that -they were not only able to care for those of their own -number who might be overtaken by any calamity, but -were always able and willing to afford assistance to foreign -communities less fortunately situated, when requested so -to do. In short, all and far more than modern "poor-laws," -Masonic, Odd-Fellows', and other eleemosynary -associations, marine, life, and fire companies, have been -enabled to do toward the amelioration of the condition -of the unfortunate, was far more perfectly accomplished -by these Christian communities, that recognized as a -matter of faith the principle of all human charity which -extends beyond mere alms-giving, </span><em class="italics">that the average -prosperity of the community should extend to each individual -thereof when overtaken by any misfortune</em><span>--a redeeming -principle which Jesus and his apostles taught in its most -perfect and effective form as the "communion of saints," -the partnership or fellowship of the holy -([Greek: </span><em class="italics">koinônia ton hagiôn</em><span>]); -community of property and rights among all who -believe; a principle which good men have been vainly -seeking to restore in some form ever since the subversion -of Christianity, in the fourth century, by the agency of -numberless nugatory statutes and associations; a divine -truth which in its Christless forms of "communism," -"socialism," and "Nihilism," now threatens the very -existence of law and order throughout Christendom; a system -perhaps impossible to any government which recognizes -the legality of private-property rights, and is therefore -committed to Mammon-worship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But these Christians had learned a higher truth than any -known to human laws: they were the owners of nothing; -they were only stewards of their Lord's goods; the wealth -which they accumulated and held for the common good -was to them "true riches"; the wealth which any -individual held for himself and his own private aggrandizement -was the "mammon of unrighteousness." Hence no -Christian could be in want while the community was -prosperous; no community could suffer while any other -communities accessible to them by land or sea had anything -to spare; and the faith of Christ made the general -prosperity of all Christians insure the individual prosperity of -each one; so that there were no "rich" and no "poor" -among them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Plato's dreams of a perfect community ("Republic") -admitted human slavery--Jesus Christ taught the -freedom, equality, and fraternity of all men: Sir Thomas -More's "Utopia" abolished marriage, and proposed to -hold women in common--Jesus Christ elevated marriage -into a sacrament; denied man's right to "hold" woman -at all; proclaimed freedom and equality </span><em class="italics">for her</em><span> also, -repudiating the universal idea that she was a chattel, and -teaching that she is a soul endowed with the same rights, -duties, and responsibilities as are inherent in the soul of -man. Modern reformers propose to "divide" out all -property, and limit individual acquisitions thereof; but -Jesus proposed to divide out nothing, and to limit -nothing; but, that all things should be accumulated, owned, -and used in common, as every one hath need, just as -air, and sunlight, and the boundless sea are common. The -word "catholic" ([Greek: </span><em class="italics">kata holos</em><span>]) was unknown to Jesus and -the New Testament; the word "common" ([Greek: </span><em class="italics">koiyos</em><span>]) was -the key to all of his teachings, social, spiritual, and -political.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The only relation which these Christians sustained to -the "government" of Cyrenaica, or to that of Rome, was -to pay the taxes demanded of them; and they had no -concern as to who might be emperor or proconsul, except so -far as these rulers might be disposed to persecute the -Christians, or otherwise. They paid taxes, to avoid giving -offense, even as Jesus himself had paid tribute, although -born under Roman rule, and not a "stranger," and not -liable to pay tribute; but they never acknowledged the -Roman authority in any other way. It would have been -an ineffaceable stigma on the character of a Christian to -summon another Christian before a civil magistrate for any -cause; they would not "go to law before the heathen." If -any differences arose between any, they left it to some -of the brethren to consider the matter and adjust it; and -they considered themselves bound to abide by the settlement -reached, by bonds of faith and love stronger than human -statutes can be made. If any became careless of right and -duty, or actively wicked, his nearest friends remonstrated -with him, and, if he refused to abandon his sinful course, -the presbyters reproved him; and, if this proved ineffectual -in working out the needed reformation, they brought the -offender before the Church, and either succeeded in drawing -him back into the right way, or, if he proved incorrigible, -they simply refused henceforth to fellowship with him, -and held him as a publican and a sinner. They never had -recourse to any temporal penalties to enforce the law of -Christian brotherhood; knowing that no one who refused -to be controlled without the use of force was a Christian, -they publicly disowned him, and that was the end of it. -For they had been taught from the beginning that the -essential difference between the kingdom of heaven and -every other kingdom established upon earth consisted in -the fact that human governments recognize private -property-rights in estates, rank, offices, prerogatives, and seek -to enforce these legal, fictitious rights by temporal -penalties, contrary to reason and justice; while Jesus -denounced all such private rights as Mammon-worship, and -all statutes enacted to enforce them as lies of the Scribes -and Pharisees; and never fixed, and never authorized his -apostles to fix, any temporal penalties whatever. They -understood perfectly well that the necessary and -inevitable result of all law-and-order systems is to produce -a ruling class at the top of every political fabric to -whom all of its benefits inure, an oppressed or enslaved -people at the bottom upon whose weary shoulders rest -all of the burdens and the waste of life, and between -these extremes ecclesiasticisms and an army (always on -the side of the ruling classes and against the multitudes) -seeking to adjust their mutual legal rights and duties -by the agency of bayonets and prayer--a system of laws -creating fictitious rights, creating legal offenses by the -disregard of these pretended rights, and denouncing legal -penalties. But they knew that Jesus died as much for -the children of Barabbas as for the offspring of Herod; -and that every statute, custom, or superstition which -attempts to make one of the babies "better" than the -others is a fraud on our common humanity and a -violation of the law of Christ. For the kingdom of heaven -was organized upon the basis of community of rights and -property among all who believe, thereby removing all -inducements to commit such crimes as treason, larceny, -and fraud, which exist only by force of the statutes -creating and punishing them; for civilization itself is the -parent of all crime except murder or lust, which might -sometimes occur from the mere ebullition of brutal -passion and instinct in low and base natures. Hence those -Christians, who "called nothing they possessed their own," -regarding themselves as only stewards of the Lord's goods, -held by them for the common good of all believers, had -no use for the Roman government or any other, and -cared nothing for it except so far as taxes and persecutions, -imposed or omitted, might affect the temporal welfare -of individuals and of the communities of which they -were members. They were citizens of a kingdom in but -not of the world, desiring to be at peace with all worldly -kingdoms. They knew that Jesus proclaimed a good -news or gospel for the poor, the very foundation-stone -of which is the absolute equality, liberty, and fraternity -of man; and they learned from the same divine Teacher -that kings, lords, nobles, all personal and class -distinctions among men, are the mere creation of legal fiction, -sustained by unjust force, like slavery and piracy, and -do not exist in the nature of things or by the will of -God; and that these laws are everywhere only the utterances -of selfishness crystallized into the form of statutes, -customs, or decrees, government over the people being -nothing more nor less than an organized expression of -faith in the ancient lie that private property (in estates, -rank, or prerogatives) is the one thing sacred in human -life, and that laws and penalties are necessary to -maintain it; which faith is the idolatry of Mammon, the only -paganism that Jesus denounced by name, and declared to -be utterly antagonistic to the worship of God. They -understood, therefore, that in place of attempting (as all -human legislators have ever done) to provide a more -perfect law-and-order system for the protection of private -rights, our Lord designed to abolish all private property, -and with it all the unjust laws and penalties by which -the worship of Mammon is maintained. Hence, in place -of teaching to men a better slave-code than the world -had known before, Jesus taught freedom for all men. -In place of teaching a more effective art of war, he -proclaimed the gospel of peace, love, justice. In place of -ordaining only more wise and just regulations for governing -the intercourse of men with their female chattels, he -elevated monogamic marriage into a holy sacrament, and -applied to man and wife alike the same divine law of -personal rights, duties, and responsibilities. In place of -teaching better laws for the government of men by other -men as erring, sinful, and selfish as themselves, he taught -that all such laws and government are unnecessary to any -people who believe that there is something more sacred, -higher, and holier than private rights, and are willing by -faith to renounce all human, statutory advantages in order -to acquire divine truth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So in beautiful Cyrenaica, while Greek and Roman, -Egyptian and Jew, concerned themselves about politics, -and struggled for offices, and toiled beyond measure for -useless gain, the Christian communities pursued the calm -and even tenor of their way, meeting on every Sabbath for -religious services and instruction; closing each week-day's -labor with a pleasant formula of evening prayer; training -up their sons and daughters to despise all the false -statutory and customary distinctions and vanities of -worldly life "after which the Gentiles seek"; teaching them -to seek knowledge, especially the knowledge peculiar to -their faith; to love all men, especially the brethren; and -to regard this earthly life as but the threshold of a -higher, holier, and more perfect state of being that lay only -a few brief, fleeting years away from every one of them. -And so, while the sun arose and set; while the harvests -were grown and garnered; while the pure and fadeless -sea lapsed along the fertile garden of the Baucalis farm, -and new lives came upon the stage of human action, and -older ones were gathered into the rest appointed for all -the living, peace and plenty, charity and love, purity and -truth, blessed the dwellers at the stone cottage by the sea-side.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="fine-training-for-a-christian-man"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FINE TRAINING FOR A CHRISTIAN MAN!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The boy Arius increased in stature, and learned, even -before he had learned the alphabet, to think that he -knew and loved the Lord. For from the time that -he could talk, daily, after the little family had -completed their healthful tasks, they spent an hour in -repeating to him, and in teaching him to repeat after -them, some simple passage out of the New Testament, -so that the child had memorized a whole gospel before -he had learned to read the written text, and become -familiar with the general course of the Old Testament -Scriptures, particularly with the salient and beautiful -narratives wherewith the sacred word abounds. After he -grew older his father taught him both to speak and write -the Latin and Hebrew equivalent of every word in the -Greek text; so that Arius acquired the three languages -together. The father watched with intense and painful -anxiety to ascertain whether the singular affliction which -his mother's terror of the python had entailed upon -himself had been transmitted to his son, and rejoiced to -see that, while some unmistakable traces thereof appeared -in the boy's voice and manner, they were so slight as not -only not to be unpleasantly obtrusive, but were even -attractive, as perhaps every marked peculiarity, which is of -a graceful character, is attractive in a man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At twelve years of age, Arius was an unusually tall and -slender lad, peculiar in the shape of his bold, shaggy head, -peculiar in the length and litheness of his shapely neck, -peculiar in the mesmeric luminosity of his dark and tender -eyes, and in the singular but incisive sweetness of his voice. -He spoke, wrote, and read Greek and Latin with fluency, -and was well informed in the Hebrew tongue; and yet he -was scarcely conscious of the fact that under his father's -wise and careful training he had been a student almost -from his infancy, so steadily, easily, and gradually, had he -progressed in the acquisition of knowledge. The New -Testament written on parchments in the uncial text; the -"Pastor of Hermas," which, in those days, was thought to -be of almost apostolical authority; and copies of some of the -letters of Polycarp, Irenæus, and Clement, were almost the -only books which Ammonius owned, as the cost of a -library in those days was enormous. From these they would -read a few verses at a time, and translate them into Latin -as they went along. A presbyter at Cyrene loaned them -the Old Testament, from which the boy copied and -memorized such parts as his father directed him to learn, as -having the directest bearing upon the life and doctrine of -Jesus. The boy did his full share of labor in all the -working of the farm, and took the bath daily in the little bay on -which it fronted (as in fact all the family were accustomed -to do), and at night father, mother, and son, read and -translated from the Scriptures; and occasionally the boy was -made to stand up and repeat by rote the Apostles' Creed, -the Paternoster, the Prayer of Agur, the son of Jakeh, -Paul's beautiful hymn in praise of Agape, or some other -favorite passage, sometimes in one language and sometimes -in another. In these little recitations, as often as the boy's -feelings were enlisted, there came a peculiar and fascinating -sibilation into his voice; his hand, chiefly the right -hand, would move and wave with a strange, easy, vibrant -motion, almost as if it involuntarily strove to accentuate -the syllables of the sonorous text; his head would dart up -and lean slightly forward from the long and shapely neck, -like the crest of some splendid cobra, peering forward -toward the hearer, and his dark eyes dilated with a strange -mesmeric light; and altogether the lad had a very peculiar -and impressive appearance. But these slight hereditary -traces of the python's influence were never unpleasantly -obtrusive, and the father did not think it to be necessary -to impose upon the son that life-long self-restraint and -self-consciousness which, in his own case, had been requisite to -guard himself against serpentine manifestations of -emotion. But his own long and careful effort and study in -this respect qualified him to impart to the boy a -marvelously distinct and peculiar accentuation, which made -every word he uttered as clear and perfect as a pearl--as -distinct and resonant as trumpet-notes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But while Ammonius was thus cautious and diligent in -training his son to acquire critical exactness in his -knowledge of the philology and history of the sacred text, he -was not the less anxious to imbue his mind with the very -spirit that distills upon the faithful heart out of the words -of uncorrupted truth. This he strove to do by continually -spurring the boy's intelligence to seek for the real -significance of our Lord's life and teachings, the differences -between his philosophy and ethics and those of other -renowned moralists and teachers; the essential differences -between the kingdom which Jesus established in the world -and all worldly kingdoms; the great fact, indeed, that -Jesus taught not only the purest ethics in a few sweeping -principles which cover the whole range of human life and -experience, but taught also social and political truth -essential to the establishment and maintenance of human rights -and liberty. Yet the man's instructions were not dogmatic; -they belonged to no sect or system of religion or of -philosophy; they consisted chiefly in exciting in the mind -of the youth an honest desire to know the truth, and of -questions and suggestions designed to aid him in discovering -it for himself. The manner of instruction generally -pursued by Ammonius may be gathered from one or two -of their evening exercises, like the following.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy read this passage: "</span><em class="italics">Now when John had heard -in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his -disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, -or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto -them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear -and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, -the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are -raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them. -And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.</em><span>"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Ammonius, "What lesson dost thou understand -to be taught in this place, Arius?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Obviously it teacheth," answered the boy, "that -John desired to know of Jesus whether he might be 'he -that should come,' that is, Christ. In place of answering -the question directly, he pointed them to the miracles -which they saw him even then performing, as if he knew -that these wonderful works would be sufficient to satisfy -John of his divinity. This and other passages seem also -to show that miracles are the only proper evidence that can -be offered that Jesus is the Christ."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All that is on the surface," answered Ammonius, -"and is well enough. But canst thou see nothing deeper -in the words? Is there nothing strange in the answer -of Jesus that provoketh inquiry, or needeth comment? -Read the passage again, Arius, and see what else thou -canst find in it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the lad reread the passage very carefully, and he -said: "The blind receive sight: a miracle; the lame -walk: a second miracle; the lepers are cleansed: a third -miracle; the deaf hear: a fourth miracle; the dead are -raised up: a fifth and greater miracle. It seemeth strange -to me that our Lord should add, as if it were a greater -miracle than all the others, and the crowning proof of -his Messiahship, the fact that the poor have the gospel -preached unto them. Is it a fact, father, that before the -coming of Jesus the gospel had never been preached unto -the poor? Was the Jewish scripture only for the rich?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ammonius smiled, but answered: "The rolls of the -law, the Jewish scriptures, were read on the Sabbath-day -in every synagogue, and both the rich and the poor were -required to be present and hear it. Perhaps the gospel -of which Jesus speaks was not in the Jewish scriptures, or -else was only taught in laws and prophecies which the -Jews had not correctly interpreted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it could not have been our gospel," said Arius, -"for no part of the New Testament was then written. I -wonder what this gospel was; and why it was good news -to the poor rather than to the rich; and why our Lord -said that whoever should not take offense at the gospel was -blessed. Why should any one take offense at it? Why -did they crucify him for proclaiming it? Why did the -chief priests and rulers of the people so bitterly hate the -gospel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If thou wilt follow up these questions and learn the -true answers thereto," said Ammonius, "thou wilt get -hold of a fine, large truth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou aid me therein?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, so far as I am able to do so; and to that end I -ask thee if thou canst tell what reason is repeatedly given -in the gospels why the Pharisees 'were offended' at our -Lord's teachings; why they 'derided' him; in a word, -why they hated him and his gospel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea! The reason that is always given for their -hatred of Jesus is that they were 'covetous'?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou think that the fact that they were rich -and covetous could account for their rejection of their own -scriptures, which showed them the Messiah plainly, and -in which they all believed, unless the gospel which Jesus -taught in some way antagonized their legal right to their -property?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, verily," said the boy. "The gospel must have -interfered with their property, or the fact that they were -'covetous' would not be given as the reason for their -hatred of Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then let us examine what this gospel was that was -'good news to the poor.' Dost thou remember any other -place in which the same words occur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered Arius. "It is written in Luke: -'</span><em class="italics">And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: -and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the -Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read. And there was -delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And -when he had opened the book, he found the place where it is -written, The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath -anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor: he hath sent -me to heal the broken-hearted; to preach deliverance to the -captives; and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at -liberty them that are bruised; to preach the acceptable year -of the Lord. And he closed the book, and gave it again to -the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all of them -that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he -began to say unto them, This day is this scripture -fulfilled in your ears.</em><span>'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now canst thou find the place in Isaiah referred to in -the text?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," replied Arius; "it readeth as follows: '</span><em class="italics">The -spirit of the Lord God</em><span> is upon me; because he hath -anointed me to </span><em class="italics">preach good tidings</em><span>.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop," said Ammonius; "thou seest that the 'gospel' -is the same thing which the prophet calleth 'good -tidings?'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered the lad, "but whence cometh this -expression of 'the acceptable year of the Lord,' and what -signifieth it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It cometh from the statute of the year of jubilee, -set forth at large in the book of Leviticus. When thou -shalt examine this statute fully, thou shalt find that it is -emphatically a law against private property, providing that -debts expire every seventh year, and that all Israel was -prohibited from seeking to make gain every seventh year, -and from saving what they had already made. Thou wilt -see that it was a statute restoring all real estate every -fiftieth year to the original possessors thereof, and providing -for the release of all prisoners, the manumission of all -slaves, the cessation of all oppressions--a year of joy to all -that were poor and afflicted. Thou wilt see that Isaiah, -and other prophets also, foretold that this great and -acceptable year of jubilee was simply a type of the condition, -social and political, which should be established -permanently in the kingdom of heaven: and that our Lord -declared that this prophecy was fulfilled in himself. Thou -wilt find, if thou shalt grasp this one truth in its fullness, -that the gospel which was good news to the poor was -simply the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning Christ--the -permanent establishment of 'the acceptable year'; -and that the Pharisees, who were rich and 'covetous,' hated -the gospel because it required all who believe to hold all -rights and property in common for the good of all; and -they preferred their own selfish aggrandizement to the -common good of all; and thou wilt see that the chief priests and -rulers of the people conspired together to crucify Jesus, -not because they ever doubted his divinity and Messiahship, -but because they worshiped Mammon more than God. -For the same reason, Rome, that welcomed every heathen -superstition under heaven, and built a Pantheon for all -the gods, persecuted the Christians from the very -beginning, because the gospel of our Lord is eternally -opposed to Mammon-worship, war, slavery, polygamy, and -the princes and powers of the earth--a kingdom in which -Christ only is king, and all men are brethren."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And it must have been hard for a rich man to enter -the kingdom of heaven," said Arius, "only because he -had to consecrate all earthly possessions to the common -Church, and abdicate all human titles and prerogatives."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," said Ammonius, "that was the property-law -laid down by Jesus; and it was verily easier for a camel to -go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to -comply with the law. But thou shouldst trace this truth -through all the laws of the Jews, through all the -prophecies and through all the parables of Christ; and thou -wilt then understand how the law was a schoolmaster -leading men to Jesus. Thou wilt understand how it is -that in the Church all are free, equal, and fraternal, while -in all other kingdoms there are kings, princes, lords; -masters, and slaves; the rich and the poor; and universal -selfishness, pride, ambition, usury, extortion, licentiousness, -oppression, and wrong; and thou wilt more and more -love and worship our blessed Lord for establishing the only -system upon which true liberty and true religion ever will -be possible for the masses of mankind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the bright, patient, hopeful student resolved that -he would never cease to read and to ponder upon the -fullness of the gospel until he had thoroughly explored all -the possible bearings of the divine, social, political, and -spiritual system of our Lord upon human life, and its -relations to all other kingdoms organized on earth. The lad -had learned more than the meaning of an isolated text; -he had found a broad principle that rests at the very basis -of all profitable reading and interpretation of the sacred -word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And in this sort of school he learned the wisdom of the -primitive Church.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-pagan-hermit-old-and-gray"><span class="large">CHAPTER V.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A PAGAN HERMIT, OLD AND GRAY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At the age of sixteen, the lad Arius was very -thoroughly informed in knowledge of the kingdom of heaven -as that knowledge had been taught in the Church from -the very days of Jesus and the twelve. In those days -the only written authorities relied upon by Christians -were the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The -letters of Paul, especially those written against Judaism, -the epistles of Peter, of John, of Jude, of Hermas, Irenæus, -Polycarp, and others, were held in high esteem as the -deliberate utterances of wise and pious men; but even the -humblest Christian never hesitated to quote the gospels and the -Acts against any of them with whose opinions he was -dissatisfied. The wilderness of creeds and dogmas which in -later times grew up out of these epistles was entirely -unknown to primitive Christianity; yet the perusal of them -was advantageous to the young man in many ways. The -journeys of Paul aroused in his active mind a keen desire -to know more of the world, and of the religion, manners, -and customs of other nations; and the knowledge that -Ammonius had acquired of different lands and peoples, both -by his sea-faring observations and by such reading and -conversation as circumstances had rendered possible to him, -seemed to have been absorbed by his son in the long years -of constant and affectionate intercourse between them; -and this was no small stock of information, for the -Mediterranean was then in every sense the "middle" sea, the -highway of the world; and it was impossible for a shrewd, -intelligent ship-owner and sailor like Ammonius to -navigate its waters for years without being brought into -personal contact with men out of every nation under heaven.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the same way the lad had almost unconsciously -acquired an intimate knowledge of the fauna and flora of -Cyrenaica, and in fact of Northern Libya, and could name -almost every plant, animal, bird, and insect in the vicinity -of Baucalis; so that even at this early age he had laid the -foundations of future acquisitions in every department of -knowledge that was in any way accessible unto him, and -had acquired a sturdy habit of independent thought and -examination about everything that came within the range -of his observation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On Sabbath evenings (the word Sunday was then -unknown to the Christian world) he loved to wander along -the sea-shore, or through the wooded mountains that -everywhere around Baucalis rose up from the water's edge and -rolled away like gigantic and immovable billows high and -higher southwardly toward the great Barcan plateau.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On one bright afternoon he had wandered farther -westward than ever before, going far beyond the limits of the -land appurtenant to the farm. He was weary with climbing -over the endless hills, and reclined to rest upon a -projecting rock beneath an ample shade of forest-trees, and -gazed away over the calm and brilliant expanse of the -peaceful Mediterranean. But not long had he rested there -when his quick ear caught the sound of slow and measured -footfalls as some unseen person paced slowly back and -forth upon a diminutive plateau that stretched still -farther westwardly along the mountain-side. The intervening -foliage hid the person from sight, and, the lad's curiosity -being aroused by the presence of a stranger in a spot so -secluded, he quietly went forward, and a few steps brought -him to the place where this little stretch of level ground -had been carefully denuded of trees and seemed to be -cultivated as a garden. Then he saw a tall, gray-haired, -venerable-looking man, with downcast eyes, and slow, deliberate -step, coming in his direction along a narrow walk that led -directly through the cultivated land. Almost at the same -instant the aged man perceived him also, but quietly -pursued his way, and, when he had come near, Arius respectfully -bowed and saluted him. The ancient returned his -salutation, and added words which the boy did not understand, -but the lad said, in the Greek tongue, then in common -use throughout Cyrenaica: "I think thou speakest -the language of Egypt, which I do not comprehend. If -thou wilt speak in Latin or in Greek, I can understand -thy wishes or thine orders."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man gazed at him in astonishment, but -answered in the Greek tongue: "Surely thou art an -Egyptian!--and in the course of a long life I have never met -with a son of Egypt that could not speak his mother-tongue -if he could speak at all!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, sir," answered Arius, "I am altogether a son of -Egypt, although born on an adjacent farm, but my parents -would never use that language, and, while they carefully -instructed me in Greek and in Latin and in Hebrew, and -in the Aramean tongue of the Israelites now in use, they -would never permit me to learn an Egyptian word."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Strange enough!" said the ancient. "Dost thou -know any reason why thy parents thus forbade thee to -acquire the primitive and wonderful old speech of the land -of Kem?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, sir," answered Arius. "I have heard my father -say that in his childhood he was placed in a temple -and dedicated to Ammon, and that when he grew older he -liked neither the temple nor the god, and fled away to -follow another course of life; and I think that he believed -the language of the Nile region to possess some peculiar -power over every son of Egypt, and that to preserve me -from that influence, whatever it may be, he desired of me -that I would never seek to learn that speech--at least not -for many years to come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thy father was wise," cried the ancient; "for, if -ever the powers of darkness gave any gift to man, it surely -was the strange language of the dwellers by the Nile. -Centuries before there were any such peoples as Greeks and -Romans, centuries before the Israelites became a nation, -so long ago that the universe seems growing old since -then, and the earth itself hath nodded out of the line on -which the mighty pyramid was built up to point to the -polar star, even then, boy, the language of Egypt was a -perfect instrument of thought, adapted with superhuman -cunning to the purposes of idolatry, with rhythms and -intonations in the utterance of it, that prick the sensuality -of human nature like a goad, and deaden conscience with -some mysterious, witch-like power which the intelligence -can no more resist than the charmed bird can escape the -python's fascination, and no more explain than it can -explain why the iron touched by the magic stone pointeth -for evermore unto the north. It is the natural language -of sensualism and idolatry, and ought to be blotted out of -human speech. I tell thee, lad, thy father was wise to -forbid thee from seeking to acquire that fearful tongue!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But thou art thyself an Egyptian," said Arius, "and -I suppose thou hast long used the wonderful language -which thou dost condemn."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered the ancient, "but the speech I use is -the hieratic form, invented by the priests for the very -purpose of keeping their souls free from the polluting -power of the popular forms of speech, to which a pure -thought or expression is well-nigh impossible. But didst -thou come hither to seek me out," asked the ancient, "or -was thy coming accidental? What is thy name? Of -what religion art thou? Why hast thou come to me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man spoke hurriedly and apparently with much -anxiety, and the boy could not conjecture the cause of his -manifest excitement, but after a moment's reflection upon -the bitter and strange denunciation of man's ancient -speech, and the subsequent things spoken by his -companion, he replied in singularly musical and persuasive -tones, the mesmeric light burning in his eyes, the bold, -peculiar head erect and slightly bending forward toward -him whom he addressed: "My name, sir, is Arius; my -coming hither is purely accidental, as I supposed this -mountain-side to be entirely uninhabited; my religion is -that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a Christian," said the ancient, in tones of -great astonishment; "so young too, but clear, bold, and -settled in the new faith, as thy voice and manner -undoubtedly proclaim. I am much pleased with thee, boy. Come -thou with me, where I dwell alone, for I desire to speak -with thee more fully. Wilt thou not come, Arius!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Willingly, sir, if the distance be not too great," -replied the lad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is very nigh," said the ancient; and then he turned -and followed the path west for, perhaps, fifty yards, and -then the path led southwardly for about the same distance, -and stopped at an abrupt and densely wooded elevation in -the side of the mountain. Arius saw that a rough but -substantial stone wall formed the outside of a room that was for -the most part composed of a cavity under the rock; and -having passed through a door, on each side of which was a -long, narrow window admitting light into the apartment, -the ancient said: "Here is my dwelling, Arius; come -thou within."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The room was nearly twenty feet square: the floor was -smoothly covered with dry, white sand, procured perhaps -by pulverizing sand-rocks taken from the mountain; there -was a wooden table in the middle of the apartment, above -which a huge oil-lamp was suspended, and a smaller table -upon one side, upon which rested a complete service of -beautifully fashioned earthen plates, cups, pitchers, dishes, -and similar articles. There were several large and -comfortable chairs made of huge reeds curiously interwoven, -and a couch constructed of the same material, and covered -deep but smoothly with lamb-skins, dressed with the wool -on. Everything about the place indicated a rather coarse -but genuine comfort, even to the presence of several -beautiful goats that came with their kids to the door and gazed -in at the old man with confidence and affection, as if he -were a familiar and trustworthy friend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be thou seated, my son," said the ancient, "and, if -thou wilt eat, I have here goat's milk, bread, and dried fish -and fruits in abundance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not an hungered," answered the lad, "but partake -of the bread and milk to honor thy hospitality," which -he did, and found both excellent. "Thy very palatable -bread," he said, "is the same with that made at my home -by Thopt, and is, she saith, the same that priests at -Memphis always preferred to eat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even so," replied the ancient, "and at Memphis for -many years, indeed, I did eat thereof, and learned there -the manner of the preparation of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, when the lad had finished his slight repast, the old -man said: "Thou art a Christian, boy; in what, then, dost -thou believe? Tell me briefly, what dost thou believe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the lad stood up as he had been accustomed to do -at home: the fine but peculiar head involuntarily erected -itself upon his long and shapely neck, and drooped a little -forward, a strange, scintillant light gleamed in his sweet, -dark eyes; his elevated and extended right hand waved -gently from side to side like the </span><em class="italics">bâton</em><span> of a music-master, -and his musical, penetrating voice rang out clearly and -incisively as he said: "I believe in God, the Father -Almighty, and in Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son, our -Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the -Virgin Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, dead, and -buried; the third day he rose from the dead, and ascended -into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the -Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick -and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, in the holy -common Church, in the forgiveness of sin, in the resurrection -of the dead, and in the life everlasting. Amen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So thou believest!" said the ancient. "But why -dost thou say 'only-begotten' son? Are not all men the -sons of God, even as the Greek poet saith, 'For we also are -his offspring?'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea!" answered Arius, "all men are his sons by -creation, and some of them by adoption--Jesus alone by -generation; he was 'begotten,' not made."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True! true!" said the ancient; "so teach the -gospels, which I have here with me. So thou believest! -When didst thou learn this faith, thou whole Egyptian; -and dost thou never doubt it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not when I learned it," answered Arius; "I -was learning it from my mother when I lay helplessly upon -her breast; I was learning it from my father when he -dandled me upon his knees; every day and hour of my -life I have learned it more and more;" and then, involuntarily -rising upon his tiptoes, like a python standing upon -its tail, with his head erect and bending slightly forward, -and sparkling eyes agleam, he exclaimed, "and I was never -such an idiot as to doubt it at all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, as if modestly conscious of some impropriety in -such demonstrative utterances in the presence of one so -aged and venerable, he sank lower upon his chair with an -ingenuous blush.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O glorious certitude of youth and hope!" said the -ancient, mournfully. "O bold, triumphant faith, fitting -its possessor for happy and jubilant exertion in the -accomplishment of all life's aims and purposes! Thou wast -'never such an idiot as to doubt it!' But I, that have seen -nigh fourscore years of misery, do doubt it much and -painfully. I that have mastered all the arts, science, and -religion of ancient Egypt--a land that was wrinkled with -age centuries before the era of old Moses; I that know both -all that the priests of Kem ever taught the people, and -also the higher and more recondite forms of ignorance in -which the priests themselves believed--I verily know -nothing! I can scarcely believe in anything save universal -spiritual darkness, for which no day-spring cometh, and -universal wretchedness, for which there is no cure. O -wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this -body of death?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bloodless hands were clasped upon the ancient's -aching breast, the noble gray head was bowed with -hopeless sorrow, the weary eyes seemed dim with long and -bitter anguish. Arius gazed upon him with astonishment -and sympathy. Then the grand gifts of every born -minister of Christ, the missionary's yearning to instruct, the -physician's longing for the power to heal and to strengthen, -moved in the boy's heart, and once more he sprang to -his feet, and with extended hand that quivered with -emotion like the python's tongue, and tearful, scintillant eyes, -and head bent forward from the long, lithe neck, and a -strange thrill in his vibrant musical voice, he cried: "Who -shall deliver thee? Surely Jesus Christ, our Lord! He -saveth even unto the uttermost all that come unto God by -him. Believe and live!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So! so!" said the ancient, in tones of hopeless weariness. -"Believe and live! Believe and live! 'He that -believeth on me shall never die! He that believeth on me, -though he were dead, yet shall he live again.' O new, -strange faith, hidden through all the dynasties like the -Nile's undiscoverable source, yet ever hinted at in the few -high, arid, half-intangible truths in which the priests of -Ra believed! What if it be true? What if the spiritual -dualism of the first cause, which the priests gradually -elaborated into the splendid pageantry and elegant mysticism of -Hesiri-Hes, and the offspring Horus, has at last become an -actual truth by the incarnation of the spiritual Son of the -one God that is necessarily a spiritual hermaphrodite? -Through the long centuries the priests secretly sneered at -the polytheisms which they taught to the people, and they -did believe in one God that was utterly unknown to the -masses of mankind, for whom they had neither name nor -symbol; and they conceived him to be a dual entity, -containing in himself the fullness of double spiritual -sexhood; and they stood in awe of some grand revelation -which they supposed would some time be made to mankind -when this one, almighty, hermaphrodite spirit should -'beget' with one side of his spiritual nature and 'conceive' -with the other, and incarnate its son in flesh, and save man -by assuming human nature. This they saw foreshadowed -in Hesiri-Hes; this was the mystery which the priests -perceived in every Apis, the emblem of one 'hidden' like -the fountains of the Nile; for in the hieratic language -Hapi, which is 'hidden,' signifies both the sacred river and -the sacred bull; for this they prepared the mummy that a -body might be ready for the returning soul when 'the -hidden' should be revealed; this, the sacred scarabæi dimly -intimated, and this was the secret mystery that lurked -beneath the veil of Hes that 'no mortal hand hath lifted.' Some -such glorious revelation must have flitted past Greek -Plato's vision, when he longed for a clearer statement of -the will of God to men, and prophesied the coming man. -This was the grand thought of Moses, the monotheist, -when in the same breath he denounced all forms of -polytheism, and yet designated the one God whom he -worshiped by a name which is the plural number of a -Hebrew noun"; and, as if he had forgotten the presence of -Arius altogether, who sat listening to this strange -monologue with silent wonder, the ancient continued the -unconscious utterance of his fervid meditations: "So hath it -been throughout the world with every ancientest form of -all original myths; for while Assyria and the Medo-Persians -and other comparatively modern nations, and -afterward the Greeks and Romans, borrowed only the lower, -vulgar forms which the Egyptians had fashioned for -popular use, in China Chang and Eng symbolized the original -conception of one dual God that afterward degenerated -into anthropomorphism; and in India Indra and Agni, a -primitive conception that antedates Brahma, Siva, and -Vishnu, by countless centuries, and is the burden of the -ancientest and uncorrupted Rig-Veda, bears unequivocal -testimony to the same primitive conception; and the -Buddhas taught that they were, perhaps believed themselves -to be, earthly manifestations of the spiritual self-conception -of one dual God: for polytheism was never the original -form of any primitive nation's faith, and every people -that began with paganism borrowed from some older -nation in which the original faith had already been degraded. -Strange! most strange! Oh, if it could be proved! If it -could only be proved that Jesus of Nazareth is, in very -truth, the incarnation of that which was to be 'begotten' -and 'conceived' of the one dual God, and born of a woman -into the world, how grandly would the fact vindicate the -primitive utterances of all human faith, and translate its -vague but splendid dreams into a glorious reality! It must -be true! Surely it must be true! For among Egyptians, -Chinese, Indians, and Jews, this original faith preceded all -idolatries!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, buried in profoundest meditation, the old man -ceased to speak. But after a time he roused himself, and -looking upon the astonished youth he said: "And thou -believest all this! thou hast 'never been such an idiot -as to doubt it!' Happy art thou, boy, if thou shalt -preserve unfalteringly and unquestioningly thy serene and -all-reliant faith."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the lad's sturdy independence of thought asserted -itself, and he answered: "Nay, sir! I have professed faith -in none of the things of which thou speakest. I believe in -one God and in Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son, and in -the Holy Ghost. I believe not in Hesiri-Hes, nor in Chang -and Eng, nor in Indra and Agni, nor in any gods which -Moses denounced as falsest idols. Nor in Jupiter, nor -Venus, nor Mars, nor in any of the gods that came into -fashion with the heathen long since Moses died."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ancient smiled approvingly, and replied: "Thou -art altogether in the right, my son. Many of the gods -in which the nations believe were born long after the -records kept by the Egyptian priests began; but all were -born of the myths which Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian -priests wove about the grand, primitive conception of one -dual God. The idolaters of other lands received in various -forms the mythologies which the priests wove about the -most ancient, simple faith, which was primarily the same -for all, only the children of Abraham refused to add -anything to the original conception, clinging obstinately to the -primitive monotheistic idea; and yet Moses designates the -one God by his name of </span><em class="italics">Adonai</em><span>, the plural number of a -Hebrew noun; and when the one God speaks of himself he -uses the words 'we,' 'our,' and 'us': </span><em class="italics">Let us make man -in our own image and likeness</em><span>. Thou seest that it would -be contrary to reason that the original utterance of every -faith should be the affirmation of God that was one, and yet -more than one, unless the divine being is spiritually -hermaphrodite, having a double spiritual sexhood. Thou -seest that, if this were not so, Moses could not have used -the plural number to designate one God. Thou seest that, -if it were not so, the only act possible to God would have -been creation, not generation; and thy faith in 'the -only-begotten Son' must have been false; and the very -ancientest forms of faith would have been demonstrated to be -merely impossible falsehood--impossible, because there can -not be a falsehood which does not originate in and grow -out of a truth; for falsehood is a perversion or -misconception of the truth; for falsehood is not that which -hath no existence, but is the wrong statement or conception -of that which doth exist. If it were not so, my son, -thy faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, would -be merest polytheism, for three are not one, nor is one -three; but the three may be one divine nature and family. -For the one God was always conceived of by the primary -faiths as a dual being, possessed of both elements of -spiritual sexhood perfectly; and 'begotten' is a proper -thing to say of one side of the dual God, and 'conceived' -is a proper thing to say of the other; and so thou mayst -believe, without any imputation of polytheism, in Christ, -as a being 'begotten,' not created; 'conceived,' not made. -Would that I knew that Jesus of Nazareth is he!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This learning is entirely new to me," said the lad. -"Perhaps it is higher than I am yet able to comprehend. -I believe in just precisely what the gospels say, no more, -no less; that Jesus is the Christ, only-begotten Son of God, -conceived of the Holy Ghost, before there was a creation, -and born of the Virgin into the world long after God by -him had made all things that are created. But, with thy -profound knowledge of all these mysteries, how is it that -thou thyself dost not believe? Who and what art thou, -thou ancient, learned, yet unhappy man, whom may our -Lord soon bless and save?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I love thee, boy, but I am old, and now too weary to -talk more with thee. Wilt thou not come unto me again? -I desire to live in seclusion as I have done for years, and -beg of thee to speak of me to none; but come again -thyself whenever thou canst."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will return upon the seventh day hence," said -Arius, "and speak of thee to none except my father's -family, and thou wilt not be annoyed by them. And so -fare-thee-well, sir, and may the peace of God come upon -thee!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!" said the ancient, "and farewell!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="flotson-of-the-middle-sea"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FLOTSON OF THE MIDDLE SEA.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the evening of that day upon which Arius -encountered the strange old eremite upon the mountainside, -draggled skirts of clouds swept across the northern -horizon, and distant lightnings gleamed upon the waves. -During the night the storm came nearer and nearer, and -before sunrise the wind roared wildly over the Baucalis -farm, and the troubled sea broke in foam and thunder -for many a league along the coast. All day the tempest -raged, but with nightfall the clouds broke away, although -the turbulent waves continued to roll and tumble on the -coast, and the angry waters gurgled through the narrow -entrance into the little bay upon which Baucalis fronted. -The dwellers at the farm watched the magnificent display -from their open windows, but saw no sign of any ship -belabored by the storm, and, after their usual religious -exercises, retired to rest, thankful that there seemed to be no -wreck along their coasts. During the night the sea ran -down, and when Arius, early in the beautiful morning, -went to the garden's edge beside the water, there was only -a gentle swell perceivable upon the bosom of the deep, and -a faint murmur of the waters crowding into and out of the -narrow opening of the bay with a gurgling noise from -which the farm derived its name. The lad pursued his -usual occupation, until his attention was caught by a sound -under the bank below him, as if some one gently and -regularly struck upon the rock; and the boy then stepped -forward, and, parting with his hands the fringe of shrub -and weeds that grew upon the verge of the land, he gazed -down into the waters of the bay, and at once discovered -that the unusual sounds were made by the striking of the -ends of some spars that composed a small raft against the -rock, with the rise and fall of every wave. He also saw -that two long spars or fragments of a ship's mast had been -fastened across two others so as to form a small square -between them, and that a large bull's hide was securely -stretched over this square, leaving the four ends of the -timbers extending beyond it. He also saw the outline -of a human form lying supinely upon the hide, and of a -smaller figure, with its head resting upon the other, both -covered over with a bright-hued woolen quilt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad called loudly to his father, who was at work in -an adjacent field, but at a considerable distance from him, -and, as soon as he had caught his attention, Arius sprang -down the bank to ascertain whether the persons so quietly -lying upon the raft were still alive. The ends of the -timbers projected far beyond the hide upon which they lay, -and the boy found himself in deep water almost at his first -step from the shore; but he had been accustomed to daily -baths in the bay from childhood, and without fear or -hesitation he boldly dashed in between the projecting timbers -toward the hide on which the bodies lay. The noise he -made in calling Ammonius, and in dashing through the -water, roused up one of the sleepers on the raft, and she -slightly raised her head, and with her hand threw back -the woolen covering, and Arius saw the swarthy face of a -young Egyptian girl of twelve turned upon him with -wide-open, wondering eyes. The other form was that of -a woman, but she neither spoke nor moved, and Arius -thought she must be dead. But the girl did speak, and -the boy thought she used the Egyptian tongue, although -he could not understand her words. Then he said, -"Maiden, canst thou speak in Greek."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A swift gleam of intelligence broke over the child's -wan face, and she joyfully answered: "Yea! for in Alexandria -Greek is the common speech of all, whether they be -Romans, Egyptians, or Jews!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art thou wet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," she said, "soaked in salt water for I know not -how long; but I have slept soundly, and mamma has not -even yet waked up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If thou art so thoroughly wet already, a little more -water will not hurt thee; so put thine arms about my -neck, hold fast, and I will carry thee to land."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But mother!" she cried; and then becoming frightened -that she did not awake, she kissed her passionately, -saying: "Mamma! mother! wake up! We have drifted -to the shore!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the poor lady murmured words that neither of -them could comprehend, but she made no attempt to -move, and seemed to be talking unconsciously. Then -Arius took the girl's hand in his, saying gently: "My -father will soon be here, and together we can take thy -mother from the raft. Come thou with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the girl raised herself up into a sitting posture, -and Arius, holding to the spar with one hand, with the -other drew her down into the sea beside him, saying: -"Now put up thine arms and hold on tightly; it is but -a few feet to the shore."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the girl said, "I can swim as well as thou, but I -am weary and cold and hungry, and will put one hand on -thy shoulder." And when she had done so the boy went -hand over hand along the spar, and drew himself and her -rapidly shoreward, until his feet rested firmly upon the -bottom, and then he caught the child up in his arms and -lifted her up to the dry ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By this time, Ammonius, coming with all speed, had -reached the bank above them, and at one swift, intelligent -glance comprehended the scene in all its pitiful details; -then he sprang down the bank beside them, and said unto -Arius, "Doth the woman yet live?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, father, she was talking even now; but I scarcely -think she knew what things she said."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Run thou unto the house swiftly, tell thy mother, -and bring hither a saw."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the boy sprang up the bank instantly and ran -homeward. Then Ammonius spoke kindly to the girl, -saying, "How farest thou, little maiden?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the child said: "I am well enough, but wet and -hungry. But mamma is ill. Please bring her to the land."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, maiden; soon will my son return with a saw, -wherewith I can saw off two of the timbers where they -cross the other two, and so draw the raft up close to the -land, and then lift thy mother gently and safely to the -shore. Dost thou understand me, child?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," she answered, "and I see that it is best to wait. -But I want my mother; she is sick indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Very soon the agile youth returned, bringing the saw -with him, and Ammonius immediately swam out to the -bull's hide, and sawed away two of the timbers at the -intersection thereof, and quickly drew the raft close up -against the shore, and took up the quilt and cast it to Arius, -telling him to spread it out upon the ground, and in his -strong arms lifted up the unconscious woman and bore her -up the bank and gently laid her upon the quilt. Soon -Arete and old Thopt joined them; and Arius and his -mother took each an end of the quilt upon which the -woman lay, and Ammonius gathered up the other two ends, -and they bore her gently but swiftly to the cottage; and -old Thopt took the girl's hand in hers and followed them -as quickly as her growing infirmities permitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arete and old Thopt stripped the poor lady of her -elegant apparel that was soaked through with sea-water, -and rubbed her vigorously with woolen cloths, clothed her -with warm woolen gowns out of Arete's wardrobe, and -gave her hot tea made of such shrubs as were known to -their simple domestic pharmacy. The sufferer manifestly -got much relief from this treatment, but it was only too -apparent that the terrible exposure to which she had been -subjected had taken hold upon the very roots of life in her -beautiful but delicate frame. Her unconscious murmurs -were uttered in the Egyptian tongue, and, no sooner had -old Thopt heard it, than a strange excitement seized her, -and she answered the lady in the same strange speech, -crooning over her like a mother over a sick child, or more -like some affectionate animal licking its wounded young; -for the Egyptian speech evidently shows the syllabication -into articulate sounds of thoughts that were primarily -expressed in signs and grimaces--the translation of brute -means of communication into words; and its original -rudimentary form is as direct and unveiled in the -expression of passion and emotion as the actions of an animal -could be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The maiden, Theckla, having been well rubbed, well -clad in dry garments, and well fed with hot soup and -viands, seemed almost free from any ill effects of her long -exposure upon the raft; and, being assured that her mother -was tenderly cared for, rapidly recovered her strength -and spirits.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The famous medical school at Cyrene educated many -men in all the learning of a profession which was then -in its infancy, and so thoroughly infested with charlatanism -that even the most eminent professors of the art of -healing commanded but small respect among intelligent -people; and the Christians especially had no faith in their -pretended ability to cure disease. In ordinary cases they -trusted to careful nursing, and the curative power of -nature in people whose freedom from vice and whose simple, -healthful manner of life gave the patient every chance of -recovery, without the use of incantations, charms, and -poisons, which then constituted the chief resources of -professional pharmacy; and in desperate cases they anointed -the stricken one with oil, obtained the prayers of the -Church in his behalf, and calmly awaited the issue; having -neither any inordinate love of life nor any distressful fear -of death, and looking upon even a fatal issue of the illness -as a change that was often better than recovery--a happy -release from the cares and uncertainties of earthly life, that -was neither to be too rashly sought for nor too anxiously -avoided. Hence the women at the farm themselves -assumed the care of their interesting patient, and gave her -constant and affectionate attention, but no drugs except -such simple remedies as were in common family use, of all -of which old Thopt had a very thorough knowledge. The -old woman believed that sound and refreshing sleep is the -secret of health and longevity, and that no one would die so -long as this blessing was obtainable; and hence, in her -opinion, the poppy was a panacea. The bark of certain species -of the willow she knew to be good against malarial fevers, -and this was her favorite remedy in every disease which -manifested a remittent or intermittent form. She had no -hesitation in declaring that the lady would be ill a long -time, and that whether she would live or die must depend -upon the vital forces she had to draw upon; for old Thopt -had always remained at least a semi-pagan, and, if there -was any Christianity in her, it was inextricably tangled -up with the remnants of the old religion which she had -learned in her home upon the Nile. She loved her mistress -passionately and devotedly, just as a faithful dog might -have loved, and she refused to accept the freedom offered -to her by Arete when, under the influence and instructions -of Ammonius, that lady had become a Christian; because -one of the fixed and immovable articles of her ancient -creed was that many Egyptians were created to be slaves, -and that she was one of them; so that it would have been -a measureless impiety for her to set up herself to be free. -If she had any hatred of the new religion, it grew out of -the fact that that faith undertook to abolish the relation -of mistress and slave between Arete and herself. She had -not undressed and washed her patient without immediately -perceiving that she was one of that aristocratic class who -had come into the world to enjoy all of its advantages, and -to be waited upon by slaves, as was demonstrated to old -Thopt's satisfaction by the fineness of her kilt, girdle, and -gown, and by the delicate pink-color of her flesh beneath -it; and the old woman would as soon have thought of -organizing a rebellion against Anubis, the jackal-headed god -himself, as to have thought of withholding proper -reverence and care from the superior being who had been cast -upon her guardianship. So that the Christian charity of -Arete and the inborn sense of duty and obligation which -generations of inherited servitude had made second nature -in old Thopt combined to secure faithful and untiring -care in behalf of the sick woman, and one or the other of -them was in attendance upon her day and night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But as Ammonius had carried her from the raft to the -land, and on the way up to the house, he had heard her -utter unconsciously, in the Egyptian language, disjointed -sentences which caused him much anxiety; and, as soon -as her immediate wants had been attended to, he charged -the family that they were not in any way to apprise the -lady that she had fallen into the hands of Christians until -such time as he might deem it proper to instruct them -otherwise; but that they should be as diligent in their care -of her as if she had been the sister of them all. Before the -close of the first day's watching beside her patient, Arete -found ample reason, in the lady's feverish revelations, for the -injunctions which her husband had given concerning her. -She talked almost incessantly: now of her home in -Alexandria; now of the rulers of Egypt; now of her husband -Amosis, and of her daughter; now of some special mission -which Amosis had undertaken at Rome; now of the fearful -tempest; now of a desperate struggle upon the raft between -her husband and some one else, in which both had fallen -into the sea together. The substance of this disjointed -and feverish babbling left no doubt upon Arete's mind that -the lady's husband was in the service of the rulers of -Egypt, and high in the confidence of both the priests and -of the government; nor that he was a bitter adversary of -the Christians; nor that, when overtaken by the tempest, -he was on his journey to Rome, to obtain from the Emperor -larger authority to persecute the Christians, even to -extermination, in Egypt and throughout Northern Libya. -She gathered also that when the officer and his wife and -child had betaken themselves to the raft as their last hope -of safety, some one, seeing that all order and discipline were -lost, inflamed by a guilty passion for the beautiful woman, -had leaped upon the raft with them as it was leaving the -vessel's side, and that a desperate struggle had occurred -between the husband and the intruder, in which both had -fallen into the sea; and that the lady herself regarded the -very name of Christians with detestation and horror, and -fully sympathized with her husband's purpose to -persecute them; and she had expected him to reap great and -rapid advancement from his zeal against the churches. -And, although not unconscious of the element of danger -lurking in their intercourse with such a conscientious hater -of Christianity, Arete felt even larger compassion for her -beautiful patient's pagan darkness than for her physical -illness; but she fully realized the propriety of her husband's -caution upon the subject.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so the weary days went by, and on the sixth morning -the fever broke, and left the poor lady with restored -consciousness, but physically as weak and helpless as an -infant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During these days, Arius and Theckla had become fast -friends. She was a beautiful child, but an Egyptian of the -aristocratic class. Her hair, which was as black as jet, -curled profusely all around and over her shapely head in -luxuriant masses. Her forehead was low and broad, the -face a perfect oval from the full temples to the point of the -plump, delicate, projecting chin, while the small, full-lipped -mouth was red as a cherry, the upper lip notably short and -voluptuous. The black, arched, delicate eyebrows nearly -met at the root of the high, straight, delicately chiseled -nose, and the large, dark eyes, soft, black, and fathomless, -free alike from fire and languishment, were of a kind found -nowhere on earth except along the Nile--full, wide-open -eyes that seemed calm and untroubled as the sightless orbs -of any sphinx, yet full of mystery as is the old, old land -of Kem. Arius soon discovered that the girl was -remarkably bright and quick, but that she could neither read nor -write, all the instruction she had ever received (and she -had been very carefully taught) having been communicated -by oral teaching. Her native tongue was, of course, -that of Egypt, but she spoke Greek with fluency, and -Latin also, but with difficulty and hesitation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the evening of the day on which she had been -rescued from the waves, the boy and girl were playing and -chatting together in the shade before the cottage. The -sun was just sinking beyond the distant mountain-range, -when the girl said, "Do you go at sunrise or at sunset?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go whither?" said Arius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, to worship Mentu, or Atmu, of course! Do -you not worship?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Worship whom?" asked Arius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh," she answered, "old Ea, or Ptah, or Hesiri-Hes, -or the other gods, any of them you prefer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not worship any of them," said Arius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps, then," said Theckla, "thou art an atheist, -and hatest all of the gods; and that is very wrong. For -papa says that the atheists are little better than the Christians -themselves, and that it is owing to their evil influence -that so many young people in Alexandria are growing up -to believe in nothing. But, blessed be the gods, I have -been brought up in religion!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And which of the gods dost thou love and worship most?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I love none of them surely, but I fear and worship -Ptah, Ra, and Hesiri-Hes, the cross old things; -because mamma says that they are the most respectable; and -I fear them much, especially the terrible, implacable, -pitiless Ma-t."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But do you not think," said Arius, "that you would -rather worship some loving, compassionate, and holy deity, -whom you could love, and obey because you loved him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that would be funny, would it not?--for a girl -to fall in love with a god! I never thought of such a -thing before, but I believe," she added, with an arch glance -at Arius, "that I would like a really nice handsome boy -better than any of the plebeian gods!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What dost thou mean, Theckla, by saying 'the plebeian -gods'?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I mean the new-fangled deities that have come -into fashion during the last two or three thousand years--the -cheap, low-priced divinities worshiped by the slaves -and by the mechanics, like Sebek, the crocodile-headed, -and all that contemptible crowd. Mamma says that we--that -is, the nobility, you know--ought not to pay any -attention to any of them except the dreadful old gods, like -Ra, Ptah, Hesiri-Hes, and the other ancient divinities; -because our own family is older and more honorable than -any of them except the high, dreadful old fellows that -have lived forever. Still, boy, thou hadst better worship -even the wretched Sebek than to be an atheist or a -Christian; for papa says so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the boy's heart yearned to tell the beautiful -pagan of the God in whom he believed, but, remembering -his father's caution on that subject, he chose rather to -avoid further conversation of the kind, and started off -toward the bay to take his evening bath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whither goest thou?" asked the little maiden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to the bay to take a bath, as I do daily."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will be fine sport," she cried, "and I am going -with you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Theckla sprang to her feet, and ran along beside -him. The boy reached the water's edge, and, casting -aside the loose gown habitually worn about the farm, he -plunged into the bay and struck out from the shore, the -play of his limbs being almost unimpeded by the close-fitting -under-garment reaching from the neck to midway of -the thigh; and instantly the young girl, whom old Thopt -had arrayed in the short, sleeveless kilt and long gown -which the women usually wore, threw off her outside -gown and plunged in after him, exclaiming: "Oh, it -is nicer than Lake Mareotis! But I have swum with -papa from the great Pharos to the Kibotos in the little -harbor of Eunostos!" and she swam after the boy as -gracefully as a mermaid. Soon she caught up with him, -and, having placed her little hands upon his head, she -suddenly straightened out her arms with all her strength, -and raising herself up with a lithe and joyous spring -above him, with all her weight she plunged his head -down far beneath the surface, and swam laughingly away. -The boy came up instantly and pursued the fleeing -maiden, and as soon as he could catch up with her, which -was no easy task, he said, "Thou shalt go under too, -Theckla!" but she was so excellent a swimmer, and so -quick and active, that for a long time she baffled all his -efforts to get her head beneath the waves. She laughed -and struggled, and defied him, and exulted greatly that -he was not able to give her such a ducking as she had -given him, until, at last, he wound his long arms around -her, pinioning both of hers, and, clasping her to his bosom, -stood straight up, and they sank together until his feet -touched the bottom, from which he sprang upward to the -surface. Then the lad kissed her and released her, saying, -"Wilt thou dip me again, Theckla, or hast thou had -enough of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the girl clasped her hands above her head, threw -herself suddenly downward, and for a moment her little -feet flashed above the water as she dived, and instantly -afterward she clasped the boy's legs in her arms and -pulled him again beneath the surface, and rose above the -waves before he had recovered himself. And so they -sported in the calm waters of the bay until the twilight -began to thicken over the valley, when they started for the -shore, and the girl swam beside him as lightly as a gull, -and, having thrown their long gowns around them, hand -in hand they walked back to the cottage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Theckla's first inquiry was of her mother, and, finding -that she continued ill, she obstinately refused to leave her -after it grew dark, even for a moment, but stretched -herself out upon the couch beside her and slept until morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So it was every evening. During the day-time Arius -was her favorite companion, but she seemed to have an -unconquerable aversion to darkness, and would not leave her -mother's side while it continued. Ammonius told them -to let her have her own way, as terror of the dark hours -was part of the old religion in which she had been raised.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="theckla-finds-one-god-and-heareth-of-another"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THECKLA FINDS ONE GOD AND HEARETH OF ANOTHER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>So passed the days away, and Arius and Theckla -became as firmly bound to each other as if they had been -raised together all their little lives. On the second day -after her coming, Arius had resumed his usual tasks in the -garden and in the fields; and when he came home at -noontide she seemed rejoiced to see him, and demanded with -playful imperiousness, "Where hast thou been all the -morning, Arius?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have been at work in the garden," replied the boy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At work!" she exclaimed; "digging with thy -hands? Why, thou art not a slave!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the boy answered, laughing merrily: "Nay, I call -no man master; I am as free as any Cæsar!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, then, dost thou work? Verily, I thought that -none but slaves and mechanics ever labor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But thou dost greatly err. It is true that some -Greeks, Romans, and Jews, suppose that none ought to -labor except those whom they call 'vile'; or rather they -call all who labor 'vile,' but I do not accept their -monstrous definitions, having been thoroughly taught that the -only man who is free is he who lives by his labor without -dependence upon relatives, or upon the offices which are -distributed by the favoritism of the dissolute and wicked -creatures whom they call emperors, Cæsars, proconsuls, -and such titles; and I am free-born, and will maintain -my liberty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, then, dost thou toil?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because we need to toil in order to live comfortably -and independently, as we are not rich, and do not desire -to be so; but I never will be any man's servant. And, -also, because it is noble and right to toil in some way, and -every one who is not idiotic, deformed, or afflicted, is -unfit to live unless he follows some honorable and useful -vocation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art the very nicest boy I know," she said, -"but it seemeth so strange to me that thou shouldst labor -with thy hands, and shouldst talk as if thou didst -believe that it is good and not degrading to do so. I never -heard such things. But I will go with thee this -afternoon and see what thou doest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayst do so," said Arius, "and thou mayst -help me with my work if thou wilt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the little maiden held up her hands that looked -like delicate wax-work, and laughingly cried out, "Even -with these hands?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," said the boy, merrily, "even with those, tender -and pretty as they are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So after the midday meal, when Arius went back to -the patch of onions at which he was at work, Theckla -accompanied him, and stood awhile watching him as he -dug up the tubers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is to be done with these?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are to be gathered up into little heaps, and -carried hence to the house, and stored away until wanted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, I can pile them up for you," she cried, and -straightway she began to gather the onions up as fast as -the boy dug them, saying: "I wonder what mamma would -think if she knew I was learning to work? But it is -good, and I will help thee every day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou shalt not weary thyself," said the boy, "and -thou shalt quit as soon as thou dost desire to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But she would not stop, and continued at the task for -several hours, until it was completed, seeming to be -delighted with her newly discovered ability to be of use.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What other work hast thou to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing else, Theckla, except to take some salt to -the cattle in the pasture, beyond the field, and thou mayst -go into the house. I will not be long absent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I will not go to the house, Arius; I will go with -thee, and see the large-eyed beasts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on, then," said the boy, and, taking up the -bag of salt which he had brought from the barn, he led -the way along the shore of the little bay until they had -passed beyond the field, where they came upon the edge -of the pasture-land, and there Arius scattered the salt -along a great trough of wood, to which some of the cattle -had hurried up as soon as they saw the boy, and others -came one after another, until more than a score were -contentedly licking up the salt; and among them a fine -bull-calf that was peculiarly marked. The kindly-treated herd -were tame and fearless, and, as soon as young Theckla -saw the bull, she gazed at him with the most intense -interest, and ran up to the animal, crying out, excitedly: -"Lo, the god! the god! the beautiful young Apis!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What dost thou mean now?" said Arius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, boy," she answered, joyously, "thou art -the most fortunate boy that ever lived. Seest thou not -the god--the sacred bull--the beautiful young Apis? -Seest thou not the black-colored hide; the triangular -white spot upon his forehead; the hairs on his back -roughened out into the form of an eagle; the crescent -white spot upon his right side? Oh, if he hath a knot -under his tongue in the shape of a scarabæus, the sacred -beetle of Ptah, he hath then all the marks that reveal the -bull to be a god! Wilt thou not look under his tongue -and see?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy gazed upon her with mingled pity, amusement, -and contempt. He had read and heard of the worship -of idols and of beasts, but had never before witnessed -an actual exhibition of such idolatry. "Why, Theckla," -he answered, "the bull is no more a god than thou art a -cow. I am amazed that so sensible a girl should be -capable of such folly as to think this beast a god."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he is an Apis, Arius, and the priests of the -temple at Memphis would give thee his weight in gold for -him. They would come hither in a royal procession to -carry him hence; they would keep him for forty days at -Nilopolis, and for forty days at Memphis, and the noblest -of the women in the city would go in naked and worship -him; and he would be fed like a great king as long as he -lives, and when he dies he would become an Osor-hapi, a -great god, and would secure thy soul. Surely the priests -must know that he is a great god, or they would not -build such grand temples in honor of Apis, and worship -him with such magnificent and costly ceremonies and -processions. I verily fear that thou art an atheist, Arius, -but I have been raised up to be religious, and I know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Theckla," answered the boy, "I can take a goad in -my hand and drive this sort of a god whithersoever I will; -I can catch his tail in my hands and twist it until he shall -bellow with pain. If thou wilt hold out to him an ear of -corn in thine hand, he will follow thee about like a dog; -and thou callest the beast a god! Theckla, I am verily -ashamed of thy foolishness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the young girl looked gravely at her companion, -and said in tones of solemn warning and reproof: "Arius, -thou dost not believe in Ea, Ptah, Shu, Seb, Set, Mentu, -Atmu, nor in Hesiri-Hes; and thou dost laugh at the -sacred Hathors, and thou dost mock the bull-god Apis!--Boy, -dost thou believe in anything? Or art thou an atheist?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," cried Arius, laughing, "I believe thou art the -brightest and the prettiest little pagan in the world; and -some time I shall explain to thee what I believe, and -convince thee of the folly of thy polytheistic and idolatrous -notions. But not now, for thy god and the other beasts with -him have salt enough, and we must return home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went back along the bay-shore, and the sun was -nigh the tops of the distant mountains; and Arius, walking -a little in advance of Theckla, heard a sudden plunge -into the water, and looking back he saw the little maiden -swimming boldly out into the bay, and immediately he -plunged in after her. They swam, dived, raced, scuffled, -and sported in the pure and healthful element until -twilight began to gather over the lowlands, and then, hand in -hand, they wandered back to the cottage, Theckla going -immediately to her mother's apartment, whose side she -would not leave so long as the night lasted--a horror of -darkness being incident to the Egyptian religion, derived, -perhaps, from the grand midnight ceremonies of the -Memphian priests in which annually with torches and -processions, and weird and impressive wailings, they celebrated -the world-wide search of Isis for the dismembered body -of the consort whose mangled limbs the hatred of the evil -Seth had scattered about the earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Theckla wanted to tell her mother about the wonderful -young Apis, but old Thopt peremptorily enjoined silence -upon her, and forbade the sick lady to talk in her present -excessively debilitated condition. For it was manifest -that her recovery was exceedingly doubtful, and that even -the slightest excitement or effort might be fatal to her. -She lay quietly enough, and while she recognized Theckla, -and seemed to understand the few Egyptian words spoken -to her by Arete and old Thopt, which were carefully -limited to repeating to her that she had been very ill, and -must remain entirely quiet, and neither talk nor even -think, she seemed almost to have forgotten the shipwreck -and the loss of her husband; and the two women who -watched her devotedly even doubted whether she knew that -she was away from home. They looked forward with great -anxiety to the time when she might grow strong enough to -shake off this healthful lassitude of extreme exhaustion, and -realize her unhappy circumstances. But the recent past -seemed to have been blotted out of her memory, and she -lay quiet and uncomplaining, apparently content with her -surroundings; and the anxious nurses carefully avoided -everything that could even by chance arouse her drowsy -intelligence, and renew the consciousness of grief that -seemed to slumber in her brain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Sabbath-day came round again, and, with the rising -of the sun, young Theckla bounded out of her mother's -room, calling aloud for Arius. It was usual on the -Sabbath for the family at Baucalis to go to some house of a -Christian in the vicinity, where would be gathered together -a small assemblage of the faithful for religious services, or -to have the neighbors assemble at the farm for the same -purpose. On this day, however, Arete and old Thopt -would be necessarily detained at home by the illness of the -Egyptian Hatasa; and Ammonius, who still thought it -prudent, both upon her account and upon his own, not -to inform her that she was enjoying the hospitality of a -family belonging to the hated sect that was everywhere -spoken against, and that was persecuted throughout Libya -even more bitterly than elsewhere in the Roman Empire, -ordered that Arius should take charge of Theckla for the -day, and determined himself to go to the assembly, in -order to consult certain of the brethren about his future -course in reference to his involuntary guests. Arius then -informed his father about the singular recluse he had met -with upon the mountain on the preceding Sabbath, of his -promise to visit him upon that day, and asked his -permission to go, saying that he would take Theckla with him -if his father had no objection to suggest, and would invite -the singular and learned old man to visit them. To this -Ammonius readily gave his consent, and Arius thereupon -told Theckla of the facts, and invited her to accompany -him, to which she enthusiastically assented. The farm -vineyard produced a wine almost identical with the famous -Mareotic, which was praised from the mouth of the Nile -to Athens and to Rome. It also produced figs, pomegranates, -apricots, peaches, oranges, citrons, lemons, limes, and -bananas, which the Christians commonly called the "fruits -of paradise," because in that latitude they were in season -the whole year through. It also produced various melons, -among them a delicious watermelon, yellow on the inside, -lotus, and olives. In their garden, also, grew the rose, the -jasmine, the lily, the oleander, chrysanthemums, geraniums, -dahlias, helianthus, and violets, and they could raise -almost every vegetable known to both tropical and -temperate zones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arius procured a basket, and enlisted the services of -old Thopt by telling her that he was about to visit an -ancient Egyptian hermit who dwelt alone upon the -mountain, and desired to take him a lot of good things to -comfort his loneliness; and that kind-hearted creature soon -had a few bottles of excellent wine, some bread-loaves of -finest flour, and quite an assortment of choice fruits, both -preserved and fresh, packed into the basket, the whole -crowned with a beautiful bouquet plucked by Theckla's -dainty fingers. Arius, bearing his basket, and followed -by the agile girl, pursued his way along the little bay -until he had passed by it westwardly, and then began the -long but gradual ascent of the mountain, upon a small -plateau of which dwelt the aged eremite. In less than two -hours they had reached the plateau in front of the hermitage, -and soon beheld the ancient seated near his own door, -his weary eyes gazing far away over the brilliant expanse -of the Mediterranean. The approach of the two young -people caught his attention, and with a genial smile the -old man welcomed them. Taking the girl's hand in his -own, he murmured: "She is a bright and lovely child, -and a true daughter of Kem" (the Black-land). He spoke -in the Egyptian language, which he knew Arius did not -understand, but the girl answered in the same tongue: -"Yea, father, I am from To-mehit" (the North-land), -"and was born in Alexandria."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the ancient said with surprise: "How is it that -thou speakest Egyptian, when thy brother knoweth no word -of the strange old language? Or </span><em class="italics">is</em><span> he thy brother?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This he said in Greek, and Arius answered, "Nay, -she is not my sister, but is a guest in my father's house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he succinctly narrated the story of the rescue of -Theckla and her mother from the raft. The old man -listened with much interest to the boy's graphic recital; -and then, turning to Theckla, he said: "Child, art thou, -too, a Christian like thy friend Arius; or art thou still in -bondage to the false and fearful gods of Kem?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the girl showed in her speaking face her loathing -and abhorrence for the very name of Christ, and turning -hastily to Arius she cried: "Art thou, then, a Christian? -Belongest thou to that accursed and criminal association? -Oh, say it is not so, or I will never, never love thee any -more!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the boy drew himself up proudly and answered: -"Yea, Theckla, I am a Christian, thank the boundless -mercy of God! And, when thou shalt have learned what -it is to be a Christian, I trust that thou wilt follow Jesus -thyself, and love me and all other Christians more and -more. For verily we are not such a people as thou hast -been taught to believe us to be, any more than our bull is -a god, as thou didst suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not very much believe in Apis," she said, "but -the common people do. Ah! Arius, I am so sorry to hear -this thing of thee! Why, if my mother had known that -ye were Christians, she would sooner have died upon the -raft than have gone into thy father's house, or to have -suffered any one of you to touch her with your hands. -Oh, I am so vexed to find that thou art connected with such -a people!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Arius: "Thy mother is well cared for; and -thou must let her know nothing until she hath become -stronger; thou wouldst only distress her by informing her -of the fact of our being Christians, and it could do no good -to tell her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the girl drew nigh to him with tearful eyes, and -crossed her little hands upon his shoulder, and leaned her -head against them, and, looking up into his eyes with -sorrow and tenderness, said: "Ye have been so good -and kind to both of us, that I can not help loving -all the people at thy home, and I do love thee, although -thou art a Christian; but it is a terrible thing; -for papa says that to be a Christian is worse than to be -an atheist."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These things all occurred in a moment, and the ancient, -seeing that it had not been the purpose of Arius to inform -the maiden concerning his religion, and that he himself -had unwittingly brought about the disclosure of the fact, -said unto them: "Come within and be seated, my children; -I desire to talk to both of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, when they had gone within, Arius set his basket -upon the old man's table, saying: "I have brought unto -thee wine, bread, and fruits, as a token of my reverence for -thine age and learning. I desire to be friendly with thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man seemed to be much touched by the boy's -speech and manner, and gently answered: "I thank thee, -truly, and far more for thy kind words than for any gifts. -Not often do the ancient enjoy the friendship of the young, -although nothing else on earth can be more pleasant unto -them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the heart of a Christian needeth renewal," said -Arius, "if it be not always both young enough to -sympathize with the youngest, and old enough to sympathize -with even the very oldest. The very core of our religion is -the </span><em class="italics">Agape</em><span>, a love which is not measured by age nor -accident, but goeth out freely to every one that needeth it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man looked upon the boy with wonder, saying: -"That is beautiful, indeed; there is no such truth in any -other religion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the girl said, "That is good and strong, Arius, -although it be a Christian dogma."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the ancient said: "I desire that ye will listen to -me carefully for a moment, and thou especially, Theckla. -Children, I am nigh upon fourscore years of age. My -name is Am-nem-hat. In mine infancy I was placed in the -great temple at Thebes, and dedicated to the service of -Amen-Ba, Mut, and Kuhns, the Theban triad. My family -was ancient and honorable in Egypt, and their influence -and wealth opened the way for me to all priestly honors -and learning. I remained in that temple fifty years, during -twenty-five of which I was a priest, and I gradually -mastered all the wisdom, learning, and mysteries of the -priesthood, until my fellows determined that I should be -elevated to the highest rank in the sacerdotal service, and I -was ordained and inaugurated to be high-priest at Ombos, -where I continued for five-and-twenty years longer. The -triad which throughout all Egypt is worshiped as -Hesiri-Hes, and Horus, we at Thebes worshiped as Amen-Ra, -Mut, and Kuhns, and at Ombos as Ptah-Pukht and Imhotep. -But, while during all these years I exercised the -functions and exhausted the learning of the priesthood, I -forever sought after Ma-t, the Goddess of Truth, she that in -her own hall, in the lower world, is called Two Truths, by -whom the dead are judged.--Dost thou know something of -the fearful Ma-t, young Theckla?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered the girl, with a perceptible shudder, -"I know her well, and tremble at the dreadful thought of -her! So wise! so hard and pitiless! so tearless, and yet -so just! The terrible Ma-t, without mercy, incapable of -love, unmoved by hate, implacable, emotionless, the fearful -judge, the Truth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then listen to me, child! I worshiped through all -these lonely years as a faithful, conscientious priest, and -memorized the book of the dead, and studied the mysteries -of medicine, of astronomy, and of mathematics, and -sought unceasingly to know the awful Ma-t! Dost thou -think that I am one who ought to know whether any of the -gods of Kem are true or false?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Theckla fell upon her knees before the ancient -priest, and lifting her little hands to him she cried: "Yea, -father, thou knowest! Ancient, honorable, learned priest, -thou knowest! Teach thou Arius to believe in the three -great gods, to seek the awful Ma-t, and to abandon the -pernicious Christian faith, for thou art wise! thou -knowest all the truth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen then, Theckla. Five years ago, driven by the -quenchless curiosity of an unsatisfied but earnest soul, I -caused to be brought before me one who preached to men -of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, because I had heard that -these Christians were irreclaimable from the errors of their -superstition, and I desired to test the question whether they -could be persuaded to return unto the old religion. I kept -him with me many days, while we discussed these things, -and then sent him from me unconvinced. And afterward -I fled from the temple secretly, in an open boat, in which -I had placed my most valuable possessions, and floated -down the Nile. Thence I wandered along the coast to -Alexandria, where, for a great sum, secretly I purchased all -the sacred writings of the Jews and Christians, and, after -many days more of wandering along the coast, I found -this spot and have since then dwelt here alone, still seeking -for the truth. For--art thou listening to me, Theckla?--a -horror of great darkness had fallen upon my soul. I know -that Amen-Ra, Mut, and Kuhns, are not true gods! Apis -is nothing but a bull; Anubis is only a jackal; Sebek is a -crocodile and nothing more; and even the most ancient -gods, if there be any truth in them at all, are only the -visible emblems of some higher truth which the very priests -have forgotten, if, indeed, they ever knew it. I have -hoped and half expected to find that this unknown truth, -this 'hidden' thing which is not Hapi, might be that -which the Christians promulgate; but this I do not know. -Nevertheless, my child, I tell thee that the gods of Kem -are no true gods; and I counsel thee to learn of Arius -that which he believeth! For falsehood is not profitable; -and I realize that all my days have been consumed -in learning and in teaching only errors; and it is sad -and terrible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both of them heard the old man's confession with awe -and sympathy, and when, overcome by strong emotion, he -had ceased to speak, Theckla gave way to a passionate -burst of tears; but, as soon as she could regain her -self-control, she turned to the ancient and with strange -earnestness exclaimed, "O Father Am-nem-hat, high and -honorable priest, hast thou, too, become a Christian?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," replied the old man solemnly, "I have only -learned the bitter lesson that the gods of Egypt are all -false: I have not found a true God yet, if any such -there be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou shalt yet find him," cried Arius, "to the joy -and consolation of thy spirit, and thine old age shall -be filled with the peace of God that passeth all -understanding; for he that seeketh findeth, and to him that -knocketh shall it be opened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then they were all silent for a time. Then some of -the kids came up to the door, and Theckla, oppressed -with the sadness and solemnity of the last few minutes, -sprang up, crying out: "O the pretty, happy kids! May -I go out and play with them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the old man, with a pleasant smile, answered, -"Yea, my child, if thou wilt not leave the plateau."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Theckla bounded out of the house, and was -soon engaged in a lively romp with the sportive young -goats.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="who-is-hapi"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WHO IS HAPI?</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The absence of Theckla gave Arius the opportunity -he desired to call out from Am-nem-hat a fuller expression -of certain theological ideas suggested by the ancient -during their first conversation, the remembrance of which -had been the subject of frequent meditation ever since; -and the boy said: "Since I last saw thee, Father -Am-nem-hat, many circumstances have combined to prevent -me from giving to the things which I heard from thee -that careful consideration which I desired to bestow upon -them; yet I have pondered much upon those philosophic -views which thou didst utter concerning the dualism of -God. I desire to hear more fully thereof; for although -I know that Christianity is, for the most part, a practical, -experimental thing, concerning the heart and the life -of a man rather than a philosophical or theological -system, concerning which Jesus himself had naught to say, -as if he preferred to leave dogmas and ceremonies to the -Scribes and Pharisees, so that it is possible for one to be -a genuine and faithful Christian with little knowledge of -philosophy or of science, yet it behooves the young -especially to seek for information concerning every question -that can arise out of the faith."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou must understand," said Am-nem-hat, "that -I do not assume to be a teacher of thy religion. Being -set free from the bondage of Egyptology, and left, as -it were, without any religion for the last five years, I -have given much time and study to Christianity, reading -the Scriptures, of course, by the light of all that I -have learned of other systems, and seeking only to -discover the truth. There is one thing, which I had long -supposed to be true, which recent thought and investigation -seem to establish beyond any great room for doubt. -That thing is the fact that the old Egyptians believed -the human spirit to be of divine origin, engaged throughout -earthly life in a warfare between good and evil, and -that its final state was determined after death by a -solemn judgment rendered according to the deeds done in -the body. This warfare continued through all the dynasties -alike until during the eighteenth dynasty, the priesthood, -fearing that the principle, or god of evil, was about -to triumph, got together and obtained a royal decree, -ratified by the sacerdotal order, to banish Seth (the evil -god) out of Egypt, and out of the religion of Kem; but -this action failed to have that salutary influence which -had been expected from it. The fact itself was, perhaps, -the most singular one in Egyptian history; but our -sacred records leave no doubt that the royal and sacerdotal -authorities united in a solemn decree for the banishment -of Seth, in order to secure the future safety of the -human soul. I have just as little doubt that originally they -believed in one supreme God, who was conceived of as -a dual being, combining in himself both the poles of -spiritual sex-hood perfectly, and giving birth to a third -divinity, by which the triad, that is constantly repeated -under different names, was made complete. Hence I -declared to thee that nothing could save the Christian faith -from the imputation of polytheism except the assumption -that the God of the Christians, like the original -myth of all primitive faith, hath in himself a double -spiritual sex-hood, of which Christ is the Son, 'begotten,' -not created; 'conceived,' not made; divine, because as -the son of man is human, the Son of God must be -divine. If this is not true, then the Christ of these -Scriptures, no matter how pure and exalted he may have been, -was either a created being, or else he was only a mere -appearance, a mere </span><em class="italics">simulacrum</em><span> of Deity, a pious fraud, -who merely </span><em class="italics">seemed</em><span> to live among men, and to die for -their justification, but did not do so in reality."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man paused at this point, but the boy, -keeping steadily in view the matter which had aroused his -own interest in the conversation, said, "But are there -any proofs of the divine dualism and trilogy of which -thou hast so confidently spoken?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think so," said the ancient, "but the original idea -has been overlaid and hidden for countless centuries by the -myths and symbolisms and external ceremonies devised by -ancient priests to express them for the common people, -until the priests themselves perhaps only dimly perceived -the original truth, and regarded the symbolism itself as -true--a most bare and flagrant idolatry. For when, at -some indefinite yet very remote period, religion became -blended with government and the priests sought rather to -control public affairs than to maintain a true worship, -the religious idea became so degraded that the sun, which -was originally only the symbol of a higher, unseen God, -was mistaken for a God itself, and worshiped as such; -and this degradation increased with ages, until finally any -one who could build a sculptured sarcophagus, and pay -for the embalming processes, ritualistic prayers, -incantations, charms, and ceremonies, was declared to be in -Hesiri justified. According to the inscriptions on the -sepulchres, no rich man was damned, and respectability -on earth and salvation after death were dependent upon -money alone. There was nothing to be done in the way -of restraining one's self from evil, nothing to be done in -the way of active benevolence. The chief business of an -Egyptian's life was to acquire sufficient wealth to build -a costly tomb, and the most expensive event in a man's -experience was his funeral. Hence the rich were all saved, -and the poor were mostly condemned, without regard to -personal character and action. Yet all the while the most -pious and learned of the priests clearly perceived, even -through the mists of error, superstition, and selfishness, -which debased the ancient faith, the primitive truth that -God was one--a dual being that was to become a triad by -the generation of a Son."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," said Arius, "that I comprehend the argument; -yet I desire to hear the proofs of this divine dualism -more explicitly stated."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The proofs thereof, derived from the dualism in the -original faith of the most ancient races (as the Egyptian, -Indian, and Chinese), and from the fact that the -monotheist Manes, or Moses, called his one God by a name which -is the dual or plural number of a Hebrew noun, have -already been suggested to you. But, in the ancient religion -of Egypt, this dualism pervaded the whole system everywhere. -There was even a dual name for everything--the one -common, the other sacred or hieratic. The ancient name -of Egypt, 'Kem,' signified both the 'Black-land' and also -the 'black man' or people. The local name, Mizraim, was -a dual word, signifying both upper and lower Egypt, in -which 'To-mehit' was the north-land, and 'To-res,' the -south-land, and the sacred name of the river, which the -Greeks call the Nile, was 'Hapi'; and the same word was -applied to Apis, the bull-god; and in both cases the word -was used to denote 'the hidden,' 'the concealed,' the source -of the Nile being believed to be undiscoverable, and the -being of whom Apis was originally the symbol being yet -'hidden,' 'unrevealed.' No matter where, or by what -name, the one supreme, self-existent, self-productive -Creator of all things was worshiped, he was originally -worshiped as a dual entity, a double god, at once father and -mother of a third manifestation that was always a son. -Primarily Apis, 'the hidden,' 'the concealed,' simply -meant that this third person was yet unrevealed; but just -as Ra (the sun), originally the symbol of the one God, -became substituted for God himself, afterward Apis becomes -the real 'hidden' thing, of which he was primarily only a -symbol, and his spiritual form seems to have become -Horus. Yet Ra is rarely associated with a female consort; -but, when he is so, it is always with a female Ra, and never -with an inferior being. But, even after this idolatry -became established, the higher priests preserved the original -idea of a dual god, to be made a triad by the generation of -a son; and everywhere in Egypt, no matter by what local -names their gods were called, this trilogy was affirmed -in every temple. The very essence of the ancient Egyptology, -therefore, is the idea of one dual god, that becomes -a trilogy by the generation of a son. The same thing is -true of the most ancient form of the Indian and Chinese -polytheisms. Thou must perceive, therefore, that in the -original faith of all the primitive nations, the divine being -is Father-mother, which is one dual God, and a son. If, -therefore, the Christian religion presents the idea of a -spiritual dualism made a trilogy by the generation of a son, -it maintains the very idea of the Deity, which is the core -of all the primitive religions--Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, -and, I think, Jewish also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If thou art not weary," said Arius, "I would desire -much to hear thee declare how these views, which are -entirely new to me, agree with thy reading of our sacred -books."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will cheerfully state the result of my investigations," -said the ancient, "again reminding thee that I read -them only as I have done the sacred books of every other -people known to me, and not as one having any especial -authority to declare the meaning thereof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know perfectly well as to that," said the boy, "but -desire to know what thou hast found therein in reference -to this opinion of thine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have found first, as I have already suggested, that -Moses, who was a monotheist, and a bitter enemy of all -polytheistic ideas, constantly uses the plural number of a -Hebrew noun to name the one God in whom he believed. -According to the prophetic portions of the Jewish -scriptures, I find that the Son of God was to be born of a -virgin, and the trilogy was to be manifested to man by the -incarnation of this son. Now, in the sacred books of the -Christians, the four called Gospels, Christ is always called -the Son of God, and Jesus is called Christ. Uniformly -that which stands in the same relation to God that was -attributed to the earthly manifestation of the divine nature -by all original faiths is the Christ; that which in the -Christian system occupies the same relation to the divine nature -which was borne by the feminine side of the dual God of -all the original faiths is called the Holy Ghost. This -expression (Holy Ghost) occurs two hundred and twelve times -in the New Testament, and in every instance the words -are in the Greek neuter gender, which expresses nothing -as to sex. The common declaration concerning Christ -is that he was 'begotten' of God: a man is begotten of -his father; he was 'conceived' of the Holy Ghost: a man -is conceived of his mother. My interpretation, therefore, -must be that these scriptures teach us that the one God -is a divine dualism, a double spiritual Being, the -Father-Ghost, and that the Christian trilogy is completed by the -generation of a son of this Father-Ghost which is one -double God; and that as far as sex-hood can be predicated -of a spiritual nature, Christ, the Son, is a spirit begotten -and conceived of God his Father-Mother, by whom the -worlds were made, and who was afterward manifested in -the flesh by assuming human nature. This is what thy -scriptures teach me: I know not whether it be true; -but it is a glorious statement of that which was the -original faith of all primitive peoples before mankind -lapsed into idolatry; for every high-priest in Egypt -assuredly knoweth that polytheism was not the first faith -of men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," said Arius, "is not the Holy Ghost called 'he' -in the paragraph from John which readeth--'And I will -pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, -that HE may abide with you forever; the Spirit of truth; -whom the world can not receive, because it seeth HIM not, -neither knoweth HIM: but ye know HIM, for HE dwelleth -with you and shall be in you'; and in that passage which -readeth as follows: 'But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, -whom the Father will send in my name, HE shall teach you -all things': and do not these readings conflict with your -idea that the name of the third person in the Christian -triad expresses nothing as to sex?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think not so," answered the ancient, "because it is -evident that in these places the only thing that can be -meant by the 'Holy Ghost' and the 'Spirit of truth' is -the Paraclete, the Comforter; and while the Greek word -for comforter is a noun of the masculine gender, the words -'Holy Ghost' and 'Spirit of truth' still retain their -neuter form, although put in apposition with it; and the -pronouns 'he' and 'him' take their masculine form from -the word comforter, and not from the words Holy Ghost -and Spirit, which are always neuter, and express nothing -as to sex. Besides this, I do not find anywhere in the -scriptures any characteristics which are essentially -masculine ascribed to the Holy Ghost, and I do find many which -are essentially feminine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou state any other argument, if there be any, -that maintaineth this grand idea of a dual God that -becometh a triad by the generation of a son?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is another," said the ancient, "which is -conclusive to my mind that the doctrine of thy scriptures is -as I have stated it. In Genesis it is written that God said, -'Let </span><em class="italics">us</em><span> make man in our own image'; and, also, it is -written, 'Male and female created he them.' It seemeth -to me that this 'image' and 'likeness' hath a deeper -signification than the mere similitude of man's character to -that of God can convey. God is a spirit, according to these -scriptures, and no resemblance can be imagined between -human beings and him in regard to physical constitution. -So far as the characters constituted the 'image and -likeness,' the books show that it would include only the first -man on one side, and God the Father on the other. But -the words are generic: 'us' and 'our' the triad, on one -side, and 'man' (that is 'male and female,' the human -race) on the other, and I suppose the 'image and likeness' -spoken of is one found in the essential nature of man, in -his constitution and relations. For as in heaven, so in -earth; in both, the trilogy includes Father, Mother, Son: -trinity is family; and the essential point of the image and -likeness between the human and the divine subsists in the -fact that human nature necessarily exists as a triad--father, -mother, son; just as the divine nature must do. -This seemeth to me to be the only ground from which it is -possible to predicate divinity of Jesus Christ without -involving the whole Christian system in the mazes of -polytheism; for if he be divine otherwise than in this fact of -generation, there must be more than one God. In strict -accordance with this view, I have observed that in those -nations which are ignorant of this feminine aspect of the -dual god, wives are degraded--are mere chattels, mere -slaves; in others, that (like Egypt) recognize the divine -feminine nature, but hold that she is inferior to the -masculine element of this dualism, wives are tolerated, are -not shut up in seclusion, are not mere slaves and -chattels; while among the Christians alone who hold the -absolute equality of Father and Spirit, womanhood is -glorified and made honorable; and Jesus himself elevated -marriage almost, if not altogether, into a religious -sacrament."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The views you present seem very like the truth," said -the boy, musingly, "and they are certainly grand enough -to be true. But they are entirely new to me, and I shall -not fail to give them such study and meditation as my -sense of the magnitude of the subject involved may -demand. I have never heard any discussion upon the nature -of the relation of the three persons of our Christian trilogy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," said the ancient, "thou wilt find that it is -a mere mistake to suppose that there are three, for the -sacred books teach me that there are only two, the -Father-Ghost, or double God, but one only; and the Son of this -one God. The perfectest flowers in nature are hermaphrodites."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But wilt thou inform me whether any perfect, self-producing -creature, possessed of animal life, hath ever been -discovered?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never," answered the ancient. "The partial realization -of such a condition, the rare approximations thereto, -which have been curiously noted by Egyptian priests for -centuries and myriads of years, have been universally -regarded as a deformity, and not as a perfection. Yet the -priesthood say that the fact was perfectly realized, -according to Moses, in the case of the first man; for the -first woman was not created as the man was, but proceeded -out of him; and the account given by Moses afterward -means just that. I could say many things upon this -matter indeed, but for the fact that the oath of secrecy, taken -at every step of his progress in the sacerdotal life by every -Egyptian priest, was vast and solemn; intended to cover -his whole future life, and secure his silence under every -possible mutation of his own fortune. The sphinxes, with -wide-open eyes and sealed lips, and faces that are -inscrutable and calm, revealing nothing that might show a trace -of any passion, emotion, thought, or purpose, and yet full -of intelligence and power, are the perfect symbol of the -Egyptian priesthood; and I know not just how far these -obligations are binding upon me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will not question thee," said Arius, "but will -endeavor to profit by whatever thou mayst be at liberty to -declare."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayst some day find use for the fact that was -well known to the priesthood, who were the repository of -all knowledge in the land of Kem, that in the embryonic -or total life, both in animals and in man, there is -absolutely no distinction of sex. Up to a short period prior to -its birth, it is impossible to determine whether the -offspring will be male or female--from which fact it seems -to follow that sex is not a primary or essential function of -animal existence, but dependent upon conditions during -gestation which centuries of investigation have failed to -disclose. Dost thou remember how bitterly the sacred -books of the Israelites, from Moses down, denounce Baal, -and Ashtaroth, and the star-god Remphan, and all the -secret rites of the national religions of all other people -except their own, the Egyptians included? Hast thou -observed that many of the ceremonies which other nations -practiced as part of religion are denounced by Moses as -crimes punishable with death? Hast thou observed that -throughout the Jewish scriptures, and especially throughout -the Pentateuch, there are bitter and vindictive laws -and customs devised for the express purpose of segregating -the Israelites from all other peoples, for building up, as it -were, a wall of partition between them and all other -nations--and this, notwithstanding the fact that it would -have been natural and right for Moses and his people, if -they believed themselves to be in possession of the truth, -to seek to impart that truth to others, and so procure the -universal acceptance thereof? Hast thou marked the fact -that the missionary spirit, which was the glory of every -other religion, so as to create continual wars undertaken -for the sole purpose of forcing other peoples to adopt the -religion of the conqueror, was constantly repressed by the -Jewish laws and branded as a crime? And hast thou -ever reflected upon the real signification of these facts?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered Arius, "and I have been taught that -God, by Moses, so commanded the Jews in order to preserve -the peculiar people from being seduced into following -after strange gods, and adopting the idolatries which -were everywhere believed in. For the idolatries thou hast -named, and every false religion which had for its symbol -a moon, a cow, a cock, or any symbol intended to indicate -the fecundity of Nature, was only the worship of that very -mystery of sex of which thou hast spoken such strange -things, the deification of lasciviousness, the apotheosis of -sensualism."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They finally became so, indeed," said Am-nem-hat, -sadly, "when the original truth became thoroughly -corrupted; but it was not so in the beginning. For if thou -wilt keep in mind the fact that the original faith of every -primitive nation held the true God to be a dualism that -was to become a triad by the generation of a Son; if thou -wilt remember that this Son was also held to be Hapi, 'the -hidden,' 'the concealed,' 'the unrevealed,' even as unto -this day the high-priest of every temple in Egypt will -declare unto thee; and, considering these things, thou wilt -not surely say that the grand roll of Egyptian priests, -stretching back for more than thirty centuries of recorded -history from this age of ours, were all mere sensualists. -On the contrary, thou wilt see in these singular rites and -ceremonies, even in their present degraded form, the signs -and symbols of a deathless longing in the hearts of that -grand, pure, holy race of sacred priests, and of a search -prosecuted over land and sea, through heaven, and earth, -and hell, during all the fruitless and slow-gliding -centuries, by every art, science, and resource known to men--a -longing and a search after Hapi, 'the hidden one,' 'the -concealed Son,' 'the unrevealed Saviour,' for whom the -whole creation groaneth--a sublime spectacle, sad and grand -enough to move a god to pity! For while the crowd see -only a splendid pageant in that annual festival in which, -with torches and with magnificent display, the priests and -the whole population at Memphis wander over the city, -the river, and the lake, seeking in earth, and fire, and -water, for the dismembered body of the dual god, thou -wilt find among them aged, pure, sad, learned men, who -see in the same grand spectacle the perpetual memorial of -their world-old search for Hapi, 'the concealed'; and, if -thou couldst gaze into their shut, silent, sorrowful hearts, -thou wouldst see all the faculties of soul and spirit -exhaling in a yearning prayer that he might come! and at the -gate of every temple thou wouldst find the priestly symbol, -the Sphinx, the sleepless watcher, cut out of imperishable -stone, 'gazing right on with calm, eternal eyes,' till -Hapi come!--for such is the true signification of -Hesiri-Hes, whom the Greeks call Osiris-Isis! And even in the -later and more degraded worship of the bull-god Apis, -while the common crowd see only the apotheosis of sensualism, -as thou hast called it, in the fact that, when a new -Apis is discovered, devout women at Memphis, during -forty days, expose themselves stripped naked to the gaze -of the sacred brute, the sad-faced priests realize that the -endless and unavailing search to discover Hapi, 'the -concealed,' had sometimes been prosecuted by unlawful means, -against which Moses, in the Jewish scriptures, denounced -the penalty of death. And the period of forty days was -purposely chosen in order to cover by a few days, in both -directions, a lunation of the moon; for the worship of the -moon-god universally connected the lunations of that -planet with the sexhood of women. But thou wouldst -greatly err if thou shouldst believe that in its original, -undegraded form, this worship was sensualism; for it -began with some new effort to wring out of the mystery of -sex the secret of Hapi, 'the concealed'; and was glorified -by the fact that it was part and parcel of the weary, -world-old search after him! Oh, will he ever come?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the boy sprang to his feet, to the very tips of -his toes, his right hand vibrating, his head erected and -bent forward, his dark eyes gleaming with mesmeric light, -his whole form and face glowing with passionate and -quivering emotion, and he cried aloud: "Thou art pious -and aged and learned! Thou teachest me much! But I -will also teach thee something! As surely as thou livest, -Hapi, the Hidden, whom thou callest the desire of all -nations, hath already come in the flesh, and his name is -Jesus Christ."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps so, perhaps so," said the ancient, mournfully. -"But the priests of Kem, during the past three -thousand years, often imagined that they had found him, -and as often met with bitter disappointment. The Sphinx -still watches with unwinking gaze for the solution of the -mighty problem, and the old are difficult to convince."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But at that moment Theckla burst in upon them, -flushed and weary with her romping with the goats, -crying out, "O sacred Hapi, I am so hungry and so tired!" -Then the old man spread out a linen cloth upon the table, -and, at his desire, Arius and Theckla placed thereon the -table-ware and the dainties taken from the basket which -the boy had brought, while he took from a little spring -nigh his hermitage a jar of cool, refreshing goat's milk: -and they three did feast right joyously.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-democracy-of-faith"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE DEMOCRACY OF FAITH.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was indeed a singular thing to hear, the usual -conversation of those young people about religious questions -upon which the greatest minds of subsequent ages have -spent their force without exhausting them; but it should -be remembered that everything like exact science was -then in its infancy: all that was actually known of -medicine, chemistry, geology, geometry, geography, botany, -and even of mathematics, could be very quickly learned; -and around this narrow limit of ascertained truth spread -a boundless wilderness of vagrant speculation, in which -the seeker after learning might wander a whole lifetime -without ever being able to add one single valuable fact -to the stock of knowledge; so that religion, whether -Christianity or paganism, was universally regarded as the -one thing that might most profitably be learned and -known; and education, even from infancy, consisted in -acquiring the knowledge of it: and this education was -among the heathen chiefly objective, handling the visible, -tangible symbols of a superstition which possessed only -the most meager elements of subjective truth and power, -except, perhaps, for the higher priests who had been -initiated into mysteries unknown to the common people; -while among the Christians the process was almost -reversed. Christianity had no objective life, except in the -person of Jesus Christ; and the subjective power which -it possessed upon both intellect and consciousness had no -assignable limits, inasmuch as it seemed to make the -martyrs almost insensible to physical pain, and yet could -produce a moral sensitiveness so acute that to be conscious -of willful deception might work the death of the body, -as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira when they lied -to Peter about the consecration of their property to holy -uses. This education among the Egyptians, especially -among females of the higher classes, was chiefly oral, but -among the Christians the young were taught both orally -and by the written text.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the strangest and yet most logical results of -the Christian teachings and practice (and one which has -been, for very sufficient reasons, ignored by the theologians) -was to develop a radical and uncompromising spirit -of democracy throughout the Christian communities or -churches. The early Christians uniformly held that they, -as Christians, belonged to a kingdom which was in, but -not of, the world--a kingdom for which no earthly -potentate had right or power to legislate; and this living -faith loosened the bond of allegiance and dissolved the -sense of obligation as to all human authority, and was -the negation of the lawfulness of temporal government -over the subjects of the kingdom for which they -recognized no king but Christ. While, for the sake of peace, -they were willing to render unto Cæsar the things which -are Cæsar's, by paying taxes to that government under -which they lived, and by even yielding ready obedience -to all laws and customs which did not come in conflict -with the higher law of the kingdom, the rights of -conscience, they universally regarded these laws as extraneous -to their own organization, foreign statutes, imposed -upon them from without; and, being solicitous to render -unto God the things which are God's, they steadily -abstained from any participation in the affairs of -government, and quietly assumed the right to judge for -themselves whether any law, regulation, or custom, prescribed -by the sovereign power, or other human authority, was or -was not such as they might conscientiously obey. And, -while they would no more have thought of holding office -under pagan rulers or of participating in their legislation -and government than they would have thought of accepting -the priesthood of a heathen temple and participating -in its idolatrous worship, they obeyed all laws alike, -except such as conflicted with conscience, and these they -refused to obey in the very face of persecutions, torture, -and death. But this fearless assertion of the rights of -conscience necessarily involved the right to sit in -judgment upon all human laws and the powers that ordained -them, and to determine for themselves whether the law -was lawful. That helpless spirit of blind obedience to -the decrees of despotic governments which characterized -the pagan peoples was, therefore, impossible to the -Christians. In the very teeth of universally established law -and custom, they steadily refused to bear arms, to own -slaves, to seek any legal redress in civil courts, to follow -the law of their domicile in regard to the ownership of -property or the succession to estates of the deceased, just -as they refused to sacrifice to the gods, or to call any -man master. Under the same lofty conception of the -rights of conscience, in lands where women were bought -and sold like cattle, they refused to practice polygamy; -and in lands where female chastity was unknown and -plural wives and concubines were esteemed to be the -insignia of honor and influence, they clave fast to that -monogamic marriage which Jesus had elevated into a holy -sacrament; and while throughout the world women were -regarded as slaves, as domestic chattels, or, at the very -best, as an inferior race and a necessary evil, so that the -birth of a female child was looked upon as a household -calamity, the Christian faith that the Holy Ghost -conceived Christ before he was born of a virgin and -manifested in the flesh, glorified and exalted the dignity of -womanhood and maternity, and created the idea of -personal responsibility, rights, and duties for both sexes -alike. The logical tendency of Christianity was, therefore, -to originate the idea of personal liberty for all men, -unknown to the world before; to repudiate the heathen -doctrine of the divine character and right of kings; to sit -in judgment upon their laws, and to intelligently obey, or -refuse to obey, them; in a word, to cultivate and exercise, -as a matter of religious faith, that spirit of personal -independence, both of action and of thought, which we -in later times denominate democracy, the concrete form -of which was the election of deacons, presbyters, and -bishops by the people unto whom they ministered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But this habit of independent thought did not tend as -in later times in the direction of ecclesiastical schisms; -because, if any one embraced a doctrinal error, either it -was maintained by him as an individual opinion; or if a -mistaken zeal led him to proclaim it publicly, and seek -thereby to bind the consciences of other Christians, the -matter soon came to the knowledge of the churches, and, -when the Church assembled to consider the alleged error, -the Holy Paraclete directed the counsels of the assembled -bishops and presbyters, so that their deliverances were -infallibly correct, and were universally accepted as final. -So that, during the first three centuries, no heresy could -survive the condemnation of a Christian council, and no -learning, zeal, and genius could give to heresy such vitality -and power as to seriously threaten the peace of the Church. -Even Peter could not force the observance of the rite of -circumcision upon the free Christian communities; and -the heresies of Menander, Cerinthus, Nicolaus, -Valentinius, Marcion, Tatianus, Blastus, Montanus, Artimon, -and others, perished almost as soon as they had been -condemned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was perfectly natural, therefore, that while both -Arius and Theckla were almost children in many respects, -they should both be far advanced in religious learning, -each of them in harmony with one of the separate systems -under which they had been reared; and that they should -be, in many attitudes of thought and feeling, a pleasing -enigma to each other. The girl, although brimful of -bright and pleasing fancies, had all her life been -accustomed to accept as truth whatever was taught to her as -such, and the very basis of her training had been implicit -and unquestioning obedience to authority without reason, -so that she had never, perhaps, attempted to exercise an -independent thought, judgment, or inquiry about any -question of religious, political, or social life, her existence -having been passed in strict and unconscious conformity -to rigid Egyptian customs, into the molds and forms of -which she had been fashioned from her infancy. The -illness of her mother, which left her to the freedom of -thought, expression, and action, characteristic of every -Christian household, was a new and intoxicating experience -to the girl; and, whatever else it might be possible for her -to become, it was manifestly impossible that she could ever -again resiliate into the moral and social mummyism of -ordinary Egyptian female life. The bondage of Egypt -was broken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the boy, fixed and immovable in his faith in the -few salient and all-important doctrines covered by the -Apostles' Creed, as that creed was taught during the first -three centuries, as to everything else, had been freed by -his training from the shackles of authority, and so -unconsciously enjoyed and exercised "the liberty of the -gospel" in which he had been reared by questioning, -investigating, trying every phenomenon--social, religious, -and political--that came within the range of his -observation and experience.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Am-nem-hat imagined that in these two youthful but -well-instructed young people he beheld the living incarnation -of the opposing civilizations under which they had -been reared; and it was a pathetic and beautiful thing -to see with what eager intentness he noted almost every -inflection of their voices, every expression of their -countenances, almost every peculiar turn and change of their -thoughts, while he encouraged them to talk, hardly caring -what might be the subject of their conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the beginning of their little feast the ancient said: -"Arius, if ye Christians have any custom of thank-offering, -prayer, or libations, before ye partake of food, I would -desire to have thee perform or repeat it now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then answered Arius: "We make no libation or offering, -nor are we restricted to any set formula for returning -thanks to God; but generally we repeat the -[Greek: </span><em class="italics">Patèr hemon</em><span>]."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou do so now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the boy said, "Yea, gladly"; and, while they -watched him narrowly, he solemnly said: "Our Father, -which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom -come: thy will be done on earth as in heaven. Give -us daily our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we -forgive debtors: and let us not be led into trial, but -deliver us from trouble: for thine is the kingdom, and the -power, and the truth, forever."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Am-nem-hat, "Theckla, what form of worship -hast thou been taught to observe before partaking of -thy daily food?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the girl said: "On solemn occasions, our fathers -make libations; but it is not according to Egyptian -customs, or religion, for a female to meddle with any sacred -rite, beyond her own private devotions, as thou, O priest, -must assuredly know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou know the reason, Theckla, that woman is -thus excluded, not only from participation in the sacred -rites, but from every place that is inconsistent with the -idea that she must of necessity be either a slave or a -domestic pet, having right to existence only as the -appanage of a man upon whom she is dependent as slave, -wife, or daughter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," she answered; "but I have been so taught, -and, therefore, it must be right and proper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will tell thee, Theckla, for it is verily a thing which -every female ought to know. The reason of it is that the -original idea of God was that of a dual being, equally -divine and glorious in both aspects of his double nature. -But nearly all nations, as they sank deeper and deeper -into idolatry, degraded the feminine conception of this -dualism, and some of them utterly lost it. In Egypt -they have held Hes to be consort of Hesiri, and, although -inferior to him, yet entitled to great honor. Hence the -Egyptian women have never been shut up, kept in -seclusion and ignorance, and esteemed only as slaves or as -chattels, as is universally the case among nations that have -entirely fallen away from the divine truth. But I tell thee, -Theckla, that the religion of the Christians alone maintains -the absolute equality of the Godhead, by maintaining the -Holy Ghost, the Mother of Nature, to be consubstantial -with the Father, and hence it alone elevates woman to -her true position, and endows her with responsibility, -respect and honor, rights and duties; so that, although -all men on earth should reject and curse the Christ, every -woman, who is true to herself and to her sex, should cleave -unto him in spite of pain and even death itself. Do thou -remember these things, Theckla; and, when thou shalt see -with what respect, honor, and love the Christian husband -treateth his wife and daughters, remember thou that the -vast difference between them and other men, in that -regard, ariseth not out of any difference in the nature or -disposition of the individuals, but out of the difference -in their religion only; for that faith regardeth women as -persons, not as things. Forget not these truths, Theckla! for, -whether it be true or false, Christianity alone hath ever -done justice to womanhood, wifehood, maternity; and the -woman who does not love and follow Jesus betrayeth -herself and her sex."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely thou, also, art a Christian!" said the young girl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," answered Am-nem-hat; "I say not that to -thee! For I can not understand what it is to be a Christian. -But, having carefully studied this religion as I have -done all others known among mankind, I do solemnly -assure thee that it is the only one on earth that is fair -and just to chaste and intelligent women. For it teacheth -that the equal, consubstantial Holy Spirit conceived a -Saviour that was virgin-born; and it so serveth to redeem all -womanhood from centuries of contempt and degradation; -for no man who hath an intelligent faith in Christianity -can ever regard woman as the mere instrument of his -pleasure, or as the mere slave of his will, but as a friend, -helpmate, and companion, worthy of love, honor, and -respect; so that, whether it be true or false, every woman -should cleave thereto, because it is for her, at least, -temporal salvation. For Christianity differeth as radically -from all other religions in regard to the esteem in which -it holdeth women as it does in regard to slavery and -to the poor. And while the rich and the great may hate -this system because it would deprive them of the social -and political precedence which every other religion -maintaineth for them, the slaves, the poor, and the women -should never forget that Jesus Christ is the truest friend -they ever had on earth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Arius, "Father Am-nem-hat, why art not -thou a Christian, having views of our religion that are so -wise and just?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the old man answered: "That thing, my son, I -can not tell thee, nor can I comprehend it for myself. I -can not understand what is the precise attitude of mine -own spirit toward Christianity. Canst thou instruct me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, verily," said Arius. "In my heart I yearn for -the power to say something that might open thine eyes -unto the light; but my small knowledge and experience -serve not to enable me to understand how it is possible -that one so aged and so wise, so well instructed in our -Lord's own teachings, can fail to be a Christian. But -my father was an idolater in his youth, and he is learned -in our religion. If thou wilt go home with us, thou shalt -be received with honor and affection, and he, perhaps, can -give thee aid. Wilt thou not go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank thee much," said Am-nem-hat. "But the -way is long, and the mountain steep, for one so old as I. -And besides, it seemeth to me that, if human knowledge -and patient thought could extort any final truth out of the -mute lips of Nature, even I could have made her speak!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," said the boy, "the tree of knowledge is not -that of life. Even the most ignorant and depraved find -peace in believing, and I have met with none so wise as -thou. If thou wilt come to us, I will bring hither on -to-morrow a she-ass, gentle and sure of foot, which my -mother is accustomed to ride, and will walk beside thee -to our home, if only thou wilt come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," cried Theckla, "thou must surely come! For -I will tell my mother that I have met the high-priest of -Ombos, and she will long much to see thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Am-nem-hat, as if overpowered by their persuasions, -replied: "Ye are both so kind to an old and lonely -man that I can not resist your entreaties, and will even -do as ye desire; for ye know not what pleasure the old -may derive from the polite and hearty attentions of the -young."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the two young people bade the old man a kind -farewell, and, with the light heart of youth and health, -took their way homeward down the mountain. And -when they had come to the edge of the pasture-land -they met with some of the cattle, and among them was -the young bull-calf whose peculiar markings had so -excited the wonder and superstition of Theckla; and Arius -cried out laughingly: "Lo, Theckla! there is thy god, -and thou shalt ride home upon the back of the beast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he cut a long withe and fastened it upon the -horns of the bull, and led up the gentle beast, and, -seizing the young girl in his arms, he lifted her astride -of the fat, round calf, and led him along. And, when -Arius mocked and ridiculed the young Apis, the girl -joined in his merriment, and he was glad to see that she -was fast losing all superstitious reverence for the brute, -and for all the other pagan deities; for her growing -contempt for Apis necessarily struck at her reverence for the -whole system, of which a bull with a black hide, a -triangular white spot on his forehead, a spread-eagle in the -hairs of his back, a crescent white spot upon his side, -and a knob like a scarabæus under his tongue, was so -important a part.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When they had reached that part of the pasture -which was nearest to the house, Theckla sprang from -the animal's back, and, with some lingering doubt of -his divinity still troubling her mind, she said: "Arius, -I really wonder whether the Apis hath a knob under his -tongue in the shape of a scarabæus? Wilt thou not look -into his mouth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not that," said the boy; "but, if he hath -not a rather odd-looking spot under his tongue, he is -the only bull-calf I ever saw that hath it not; and I -suppose it would be easy to irritate and inflame this -spot until it would look like a natural knob about as -large as a good, lively beetle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had never thought it might be possible for the -priests to so deceive any one," said Theckla.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps they did not do so," answered the boy; -"but they may have been deceived by the cunning of -those who had such beasts and desired to sell them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Theckla sighed, but her reverence for Apis and for -all of his mysteries was utterly gone forever.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="faith-and-philosophy"><span class="large">CHAPTER X.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During the time that Arius and Theckla had been -absent at the hermitage of Am-nem-hat, a great change -had occurred in the condition of the Egyptian lady, -Hatasa, at the Baucalis cottage. Early in the morning -she had fallen into a profound slumber, but before noon -she had awakened suddenly, and in a moment afterward -the whole house was filled with her bitter wailing. All -at once the terrible sense of loss had overwhelmed her -mind with impassioned force, and in heart-broken tones -she repeated the name of her husband over and over -again, and momently called aloud for "Theckla, darling -Theckla! Where is my daughter, my only child?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then with great tenderness Arete told her that -Theckla was well and happy, and would soon return with her -own son, with whom she had gone to visit a near -neighbor. The poor woman's grief seemed hopeless and -unendurable. At one moment she would yearningly lament -the loss of her husband, and at the next reproach the -gods of Egypt with his destruction, and then, perhaps, -pray to them in tones of hopeless supplication. "O Ra -and Thoth!" she cried, "ye murderous, heartless gods, that -have so cruelly bereft me, have pity upon Amosis, whom -ye have snatched away to the under-world! O merciless -and fearful Ma-t, that hast never had compassion -upon any mortal, thou terrible Two Truths in thy dark -halls sitting, unmoved by sorrow or pain, in the gloom of -mournful Amenti, soften once thy stony heart, that thou -mayst feel the sharpness of our earthly woe, so that thou -judge not mine Amosis until I have builded his sarcophagus. -O thou Hesiri-Hes! that cometh nearer to our -human life than other dreadful deities, restore my -husband's body to the land, that with due honors and -uncounted cost I yet may have his mummy-rites prepared -to smooth his pathway through the under-world!" Then, -seeming to realize the uselessness of any prayer in the -absence of the ceremonies of a funeral, she moaned in -hopeless grief: "O terrible! to be cut off in youth, with -no sarcophagus builded, and no mummy-cloth--cast off -alone and friendless, into the darkness of Amenti! O -fearful fate! to be called up for judgment, like a pauper, -before the merciless, unsparing Ma-t!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so she would cry, as loudly as her feebleness -permitted, until exhausted nature enforced silence upon her -wailing lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She calleth upon the ancient, fearful gods of Kem," -said old Thopt, in a half-terrified whisper to Arete.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is without God and without hope in the world," -whispered Arete. "May the compassionate Lord pity her -and bring unto her the consolations of his grace!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My heart weeps for her," whispered old Thopt; "for -the Egyptians are not as the Christians are. They have a -shuddering horror of death, and it is to them the sum -of all possible wretchedness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so the weary hours passed slowly, and, at last, -came Theckla and Arius home; and the girl, bounding -into her mother's room, cast her arms about her and -kissed her passionately. And when the mother broke out -into renewed wailings, the daughter said: "Nay, mother, -why dost thou lament so bitterly? Surely thou art much -better now, and father will soon return to comfort thee. -Cheer up thyself with the hope of speedily returning health -and strength."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alas! alas! thy father will return no more!--no -more! Ah, nevermore!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then with startled, wondering eyes, the young girl -gazed into her mother's face, crying out: "What -meanest thou? He hath always come back from every -absence joyously; why sayst thou 'No more--ah, never, -more,' so sorrowfully? Surely he must again return to us!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then it seemed apparent enough that these Egyptians -had such an awful terror of death, and the girl -had been so carefully guarded against all knowledge -thereof, that she could scarcely realize what thing was -meant thereby; for the Egyptians said nothing of -"death," but only, "He hath gone hence," or "He is -the Hesiri justified."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is dead, poor child!" moaned the mother, "swallowed -up forever by the cruel, unrelenting sea! Thou -wilt see his face, and hear his voice, and spring to meet -his fond caress no more," she wailed--"no more!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he, then, the Hesiri justified?" she asked, a -nameless wonder and terror taking hold upon her soul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, thou wilt break all my heart!" she answered. -"He hath died without a sarcophagus and the mummy-cloth. -How shall he, then, dare to meet the dreadful -Ma-t in the dark hall wherein she sitteth as the Two -Truths, judge of all the dead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the full desolation of her father's awful fate, -and of her own mighty loss, for the first time swept her -young heart with terrible distinctness, and, sinking down -beside her mother, the girl blended her broken-hearted -wailings with the woman's bitter cries.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Leave them together," said Arete, and she and old -Thopt quietly withdrew. And she informed Ammonius -of the sorrowful condition of their guests, and, with her -dark eyes full of sympathetic tears, she said, "It is a -harrowing grief, and I was so young when I became a -Christian, and view death so differently from them, that -I know not how to offer consolation for such sorrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou shalt leave them alone for the present," -answered Ammonius. "The Egyptians have no consolation -except those which their erroneous faith buildeth -upon the sarcophagus and the mummy-rites--all external -consolations--of which, in such a case as this, they -are deprived. Let them alone. Perhaps the Lord will -show us some way to aid them, or their violent grief -will wear out itself in lamentations. All thou canst do -is but to wait and hope."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The long night passed wearily away. Arete and old -Thopt divided the watches thereof between them, as -they had done ever since Hatasa came to Baucalis, to -see that she wanted no attention which kindness could -supply; but neither of them knew how to utter soothing -words unto a grief that seemed so hopeless; for the -religion of Egypt contained no word of comfort for such -grief, and the beautiful idolaters were ignorant of that -of Jesus. All that mother and daughter knew of religious -faith kept forcing back upon their broken hearts -the dreadful conviction that the soul's condition after -death depended upon the building of a sarcophagus and -the preparation of the mummy, in accordance with the -rites prescribed in "The Book of the Dead"; and in -such a case as this no mummy-rites could be paid -unless the corpse could be recovered; and, although the -sarcophagus might be builded, they did not know but -that the father and husband whom they loved might be -judged by the awful goddess Ma-t before this work could -be completed; and none of the exceptions made by their -religion in favor of those who fell in battle for the -rulers of Egypt, or who perished by shipwreck, applied -to the case of Amosis, for he had lost his life in a -private quarrel after the shipwreck had happened. Their -hopeless sorrow was pitiful, indeed; but the young girl -fell back upon a final truth when she kept repeating to -her mother, over and over again, her own convictions in -such words as these: "Thou knowest that he was a good -and upright man, doing only what he did believe to be -right and just, and surely the greatest God of all, by -whatever name he may be known, will be most merciful -to him without a sarcophagus or the mummy-rites." -And so the young idolater, not knowing the law, but -doing by nature the things which are written in the law, -became a law unto herself, and the unknown God, whom -she did ignorantly worship to that extent which was -commensurate with her faith, revealed himself unto her; and -even from this unreasoning hope they both drew -something of comfort. And during the night Theckla -informed her mother of her visit to the old eremite -Am-nem-hat, and of his having been priest at Thebes and -high-priest at Ombos; and how ancient, wise, and good -he seemed to be; and that he had promised to come to -the cottage on the following day, and expressed the hope -that out of his vast stores of wisdom he might be able -to bring forth some truth that would yield them surer -consolation; and this also somewhat comforted that -bitterly smitten pair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And early the next morning Arius went to the abode -of Am-nem-hat, leading the she-ass on which his mother -was accustomed to ride, and, having got the ancient -comfortably seated upon the jennet, he led her down the -mountain and unto the cottage of Baucalis safely, where -all were awaiting the arrival of the priest to whose visit -Hatasa looked forward with vague but earnest hope. And, -when the old man had come, Ammonius, with great -respect and tenderness, assisted him to dismount, and led -him unto the house. And, having most kindly received -him, they told him of the sorrowful woman, and how -anxiously she had anticipated his coming, and he said, "Let -me go unto her at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, when he had entered her chamber, he stood in the -middle of the floor, and, with his raised and extended -arms crossed at the wrists in likeness of a cross (for the -cross is ages older than Jesus), he looked upon Hatasa, -saying: "Whatever God is greater than Ra, whatever God is -wiser than Ptah, and whatever God is more merciful than -Hesiri-Hes, and more just than Ma-t, by whatsoever name -the great God of all ought to be known among men, I -invoke him to bless and comfort thee, O daughter of affliction. -May that truest and highest God lift up the light of -his face upon thee and give thee peace!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, sitting down beside her couch, he took her hand -in his, saying kindly, "Daughter, what is thy name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hatasa," answered she.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art thou of Alexandria?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," she said. "But my family were of Thebes, -where lived and died my father Ahmad, and my -grandfather, Butau, and many generations more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Butau, of Thebes!" said the old man. "Hast thou, -then, never heard of Am-nem-hat, priest at Thebes, -high-priest at Ombos?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely so," she answered. "For the same wise and -holy priest was the brother of my grandfather Butau, the -great general, and I have often heard my parents speak of -the sacred priest with reverence and pride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am that Am-nem-hat, and thou hast found a kinsman -in whom thou mayst implicitly confide."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then seized she his hand, and, kissing it, she cried, "I -do rejoice thereat, and welcome thee as kinsman, and as -sacred priest most pious and most wise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then she poured out to him the burden of her heart, -and asked him if there was any hope, her husband having -builded no sarcophagus, and having had no mummy-rites. -And the old man answered mournfully, "Daughter, as an -Alexandrian, thou shouldst know the vast temple of Serapis -which standeth before the magnificent street, two hundred -feet wide, in Rhacotis, the western and Egyptian quarter -of the city--the grand and beautiful temple which -containeth the statue of the god that was brought thither out -of Pontus?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, father," answered she, "from childhood I have -known the holy temple well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And didst thou also know the wise and pious Raph-nath, -high-priest of that temple, who died there some -fifteen years ago?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily, I remember him quite well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He and I were boys, at Thebes, in the great temple -together. All his lifetime we were friends. When he felt -that his physical powers were failing, and that the end of -his long and holy life was fast approaching, he sent unto -me to come to him and spend his last days with him; and -so it happened that I was at Alexandria when the ancient -high-priest died. We did talk much and often of our long -religious lives; much, of our learned ignorance; much, of -the destiny of the human soul; much, of the truth. When -I did ask of him whether he had any special request to -make concerning his own funeral rites, he answered me in -some such words as these: 'Nay, my brother. Let the -obsequies be simply conducted, but in accordance with the -rites and ceremonies prescribed for a priest's funeral by -'The Book of the Dead.' For although both thou and I be -well aware that the sarcophagus is naught, and the -mummy naught, and that no rites nor ceremonies which men -can devise in any way concern the soul after death, yet, -because the law and order system of Kem hath been for so -many centuries built up on these vain things, I desire that -the usual forms be all observed at mine own funeral. -Although surely no high-priest of Egypt ought to think that -it can make any difference to the soul how, or when, or by -what means, a man may depart this life, or whether any -funeral rites are paid or not; for thou knowest that the -true purpose of religion is to control the living, and that -the dead are far beyond the reach of human agencies.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'On what, then, dependeth thy soul's condition in the -other world?' I said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Surely,' he said, 'upon nothing that any priest can -do or leave undone, but upon whether the man hath done -his duties well according to the best of his faith and -knowledge.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And afterward, and almost in the hour of his dissolution, -I said unto him again, 'Brother, how farest thou?' And -he answered me, saying: 'The light of life within me -burneth low and flickereth. It will soon go out. But I -fare well and peacefully.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'And thou hast no fear of awful Ma-t, my brother, -and of the silent hall wherein the Two Truths judge the -dead?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And smilingly he answered me: 'Nay, Brother -Am-nem-hat. No man attaineth to the high-priesthood in -Egypt without having learned that the things of which -thou speakest are for the people--not for the higher -priests--part of the system which we administer, not final -truths for us. For I know, as thou also knowest, that -above and beyond the grand Egyptian triads, there must -be some supreme God over all whom we ignorantly -worship; who is patient because he is eternal, and merciful -because he is all-wise; and having all these years discharged, -as faithfully as human frailties might permit, every duty -that came under my hand, I look away above the gods of -Kem, and trust myself unshrinkingly in the hands of the -unknown God, in whom we both believe.' And, almost in -the same moment, the old man quietly departed.--Daughter, -for thee and for thy great sorrow there is no consolation -in the religion of Egypt. All of the consolation I -can offer is to tell thee plainly that the things which the -high-priest Raph-nath declared unto me upon his bed of -death are true; and, as the sum of all my learning and -priestly life, I say unto thee that thou canst do nothing -else for thyself, nor for thy husband, nor for any human -soul, except to cast thyself and him upon the mercy of the -unknown God, hoping and believing that all is for the best."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man's voice was tremulous, and his grand, pure -face was full of compassion as he uttered these words in -tones of inexpressible and uncomplaining sadness, and with -impressive earnestness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And this is all?" she cried--"all that the old religion -of Kem, stripped of its outward, ornate forms and -ceremonies, has to offer to the broken-hearted?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered Am-nem-hat. "This is all, indeed. -And it is little; and the prevailing sadness of all wise -men grows out of this; yet the heart that loves and trusts -may find that even this is enough to reconcile it to the -grand and pitiless course of nature. So saith the -philosopher Seneca: 'We shall adore all that ignoble crowd of -gods which ancient superstition hath gathered together in -a long course of years, only so as to remember that their -worship is rather in accordance with custom than with -reality or truth.' And again he saith, 'The God is near -you, is with you, is within you'; and again, 'There is no -good man without God.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Epictetus also saith: 'If you remember always -that, in all you do in soul or body, God stands by as a -witness, in all your prayers and your actions you will not err, -and you shall have God dwelling within you.' And he -saith: 'Great is the struggle, divine the need; it is for -kingdom, for freedom, for tranquillity, for peace. Think -on God; call upon him, thy champion and aid, as sailors -invoke the great twin brothers in the storm. And, indeed, -what storm is greater than that which ariseth out of -powerful semblances (appearances of evil), that drive reason out -of its course? What, indeed, but semblance is a storm -itself? Come, now, therefore, remove this fear of death, and -bring as many thunders and lightnings as thou wilt, and -thou shalt soon perceive how great tranquillity and calm are -in that reason which is the ruling faculty of the soul.' And -he saith further: 'Thou must be absolutely resigned to -the will of God. Thou must conquer every passion, -abrogate every desire.' And one greater, sadder, diviner than -them all, even Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Emperor, -declareth: 'Surely life and death, honor and dishonor, pain -and pleasure, all things happen equally to bad men and -good, being things that make us neither better nor worse, -therefore are they neither good nor evil.' And he saith of -every man: 'Thou hast embarked, thou hast made the -voyage; thou hast come to shore; get out. If, indeed, unto -another life, there is even there no want of gods; but if -unto a state devoid of sensation, thou wilt cease to be held -of pains and pleasures.' And he saith: 'Then pass thou -through the short space of time conformably to Nature, and -end the journey in content, just as the olive falls off when -it is ripe, blessing Nature that produced it, and thanking -the tree on which it grew; ... accepting all that happens, -and all that is allotted, and finally waiting for death with -a cheerful mind.' And so I say unto thee: No man can -do more for thee, for thy husband, or for any human -soul, than to fall back upon the mercy of an unknown -God, and seek for peace in the grand hope that all is for -the best."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can not live on that," she murmured. "O my husband, -all my heart yearns after thee, and it will break -within me unless I can find some clearer, higher assurance -of the mercy of Egypt's gods for thee, or of this dim and -terrible unknown whom Am-nem-hat declares to be in -truth the only one. I can not live in this void -uncertainty and darkness! O Amosis, my husband! O ye -cruel gods!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These good people among whom I find thee," said -Am-nem-hat, "are followers of the new God, Jesus Christ, -a sect that is everywhere spoken against. I have, however, -a very favorable opinion of Jesus and of his religion, and I -take it for granted that thou dost not know the truth -concerning them. Perhaps they could teach unto thee some -consolation for thy sorrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The hated Christians!" she cried out, bitterly. "Why, -when my lord Amosis lost his life, he was even then upon -his way to Rome to obtain from the Emperor power and -authority to extirpate the impious and terrible association -from Egypt. If they had known this fact, perhaps I had -been already reconciled, or at least silenced, by the icy hand -of death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, nay, mother," cried Theckla. "That is but an -unjust thing, for they knew from the first, and from thine -own unconscious talk, that father desired to destroy them -all; and the lad Arius, their son, charged me that I should -not tell thee until thou wert stronger; for that it might -distress thee, and could do no good. He is a true-hearted -boy, and I think a wise one also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And they have treated their known enemy with more -than sisterly care and kindness," said Hatasa. "Surely it -is most strange!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Am-nem-hat said: "I have seen the Christians -tortured, decapitated, burned at the stake, and have heard -them even with their last breath pray to their God to -forgive those who punished them with such torments. It is a -new and most strange religion, and possibly it might do -thee good. No gods of Kem can aid thee in thy sorrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish that I could see the boy," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Theckla sprang up quickly, saying, "I will bring -him unto thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And thereupon she went forth of the room and sought -Arius until she found him; and she said, "Arius, my -mother desireth much to speak with thee concerning thy -religion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the boy said, "I go unto her gladly, and may the -Lord direct me what to say unto her!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when the boy had come into that room where she -was, Am-nem-hat said: "I have discovered that Hatasa is -the granddaughter of my brother, and she seemeth very -dear to me, that am childless. Thou knowest the great -sorrow for which I have been able to offer no consolation, -except to bid her cast herself upon the mercy of the -unknown God in some way, and seek for him if by chance -she might find him, and obtain mercy. For neither faith -nor philosophy, as I have learned them, goeth one single -step beyond where this dim, uncertain light guideth the -soul, and we must therewith be content."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," moaned the stricken woman, "this chill and -shadowy uncertainty will drive me mad. My soul yearneth -after my loving, noble husband.--O boy, if thou knowest -anything that bringest comfort in the very face of pitiless -Death, speak thou to me, and speak thou truthfully; for I -am sore afflicted and without hope! </span><em class="italics">How</em><span>, when all the -gods of Egypt fail me--how can I trust the mercy of a -strange and unknown God?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the God-ordained minister stood up before them, -and with that strange, continuous, rhythmic motion of the -hand, with his fine head erect and bending toward her -from the long and shapely neck, his luminous eyes agleam -with strange mesmeric light, his voice sibilant, tremulous, -incisive, began to preach his first little sermon in a way -that grace and training made natural unto him: "Trouble -not thine heart, O woman, with any thought about the -gods of Egypt, for I tell thee that the unknown God to -whom all men turn in time of sorest trial and sorrow, even -as Am-nem-hat hath declared unto thee, is no more -unknown, but is one God over all, blessed for evermore, and -hath revealed himself unto men through his Son, our Lord -and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who loved us, and hath borne all -of our sins upon himself, that we by faith in him may so -be free; for, to them who believe in Jesus, life and -immortality are brought to light in the gospel, and for them -death hath no sting, the grave no victory.--What name do -ye Egyptians give unto the burial-place of your dead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy paused, and looked upon her, demanding an -answer with his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We call it sarcophagus," she replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," he continued, "sarcophagus! The devourer -of human flesh! But we Christians call it cemeterion--a -sleeping-ground; because we know that Jesus arose from -the dead for our justification, and know that all they who -sleep in death shall rise again; for so our Lord hath taught -us. Thou complainest that the light of nature is dim and -chill, and giveth thee no certain guide nor hope! Thou -meanest that the course of nature is stern, pitiless, -implacable; teaching only that one must submit to the -inevitable without hope; a forced resignation in which there is -no comfort; an iron stoicism which teaches us to endure -pain bravely but furnisheth no compensation for sorrow; -the obedience of a slave who knows that it is impossible to -resist and foolish to attempt it; not the faith and love of a -child that obeys because he loves, and bears chastisement -meekly because he knows that infinite wisdom and exhaustless -love inflict it for his good. O woman, listen what -the divine Son of God, who took our nature upon himself -and was in all things touched with the feelings of our -infirmities, saith unto thee: 'Come unto me, thou weary and -heavy-laden, and I will give thee rest. Like as a father -pitieth his children, the tender mercy of our God is over -thee. He that believeth on me shall never die, for life and -immortality are brought to light in the gospel, which is the -power of God and the wisdom of God unto salvation for -every one that believeth.' For Jesus loveth thee; he died -to save thee and to give thee peace; and his blood can -cleanse thee from all sin, so that thou mayst be justified -by faith, and find peace in believing, and in all times -of tribulation and distress thou mayst find Jesus a present -help and saviour. O woman, sorely smitten! which one -of the gods of Kem hath died to redeem thy soul?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None," she answered--"none!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which one of them cleanseth thee from sin, and -giveth thee a sure, unfailing promise of eternal life, -thereby releasing thee from the fear of death that keepeth -mankind in bondage, teaching that death is but a change -through which the conscious spirit passeth into larger life?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None! not one," she answered. "I have never heard -such glorious promises from any priest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But to make these glorious promises steadfast, abiding, -true, the Son of God took upon himself our nature; -became a man for our justification, and offered up himself -a divine and perfect sacrifice for us, to make atonement for -our sins; and having submitted himself to be crucified by -Pontius Pilate, the third day he arose from the dead, -whereby we know that we also shall rise. Seek thou for -Christ by faith, for in him are joy and peace. In him are -hope for all bereavement, consolation for all grief. He -loveth thee. He so loved thee as to die for thee! Come -thou to him, and thou shalt learn how kind, and -compassionate, and merciful a loving God can be! For all that -hath happened unto thee is not the cruel, blind, relentless -infliction of merciless fate, working through nature; nor -is it the vengeance of an angry God upon thee and thy -husband; but is only the wise chastisement of thy -Father, God, whereby he seeketh to wean thee away from the -love of this vain and transitory life, and to draw thy spirit -upward to himself, and to the glory of the world to come. -Oh, if thou wilt believe in Christ, thou shalt find before his -mercy-seat a refuge from every stormy wind that blows, -and peace that passeth all understanding, that floweth as a -river, that teacheth thee that these light afflictions, which -are but for a moment, shall work out for thee a far more -exceeding and eternal weight of glory in that bright world -to which we haste. Seek thou for Christ, and thou shalt -know how good, and pure, and holy an exercise even thy -human sorrow and yearning may become."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said the woman: "It is all very beautiful and -comforting, and I would know more of it. But tell me -where I may find a temple in which these things are -taught, and a priest that knoweth them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then answered Arius: "We have no temple here; and -Jesus is our only priest. But there are bishops and -presbyters who preach the gospel, when the Christians assemble -together. And in every Christian family there are daily -religious exercises."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou have such worship here in thy father's -house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly! on the evening of every day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And at what place?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In any place that may be most convenient. In thine -own apartment, if thou wilt."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="for-the-work-s-sake"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">"FOR THE WORK'S SAKE."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>That night, at the request of Hatasa, the whole family -assembled in her room, and she insisted upon having them -engage in their usual religious exercises, to which she -listened with profoundest attention, and with a certain -amazement; for it was hard for her to grasp at once the -idea that God might be worshiped without a temple, a -priest, and a sacrifice; but the fact furnished its own best -explanation. And the sorrowful woman soon found herself -following with a new, strange sort of interest the reading -of the gospel, and the earnest, extemporaneous, sympathetic -prayer of Ammonius, in which he pleaded with God not -to suffer his dear and sorrowful guests, nor the aged and -righteous priest, who had so long sought for the truth, to -depart from his abode without having learned by blessed -experience how freely Jesus can forgive, and what light -and peace his gospel can afford to all who believe thereon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the conclusion of these exercises, Am-nem-hat -saith to Ammonius, "There are some things connected -with thy simple and beautiful religion about which I would -question thee when thou shalt have leisure and inclination -to answer me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Ammonius: "Whenever thou wilt! Even -now, if thou wilt go with me into another room, where our -conversation may not weary the others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," cried Hatasa. "Go not hence, I beg; for I -eagerly desire to hear such conversation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Am-nem-hat: "I know the Jewish scriptures, -and also the new books which the Christians have -written; but I desire thee to tell me plainly what the -evidence is of the fact, upon which thou dost continually -insist, that Jesus of Nazareth, whom Pilate crucified, is the -Christ."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The evidence is primarily historical and prophetic," -said Ammonius, "based chiefly upon the Jewish laws and -prophecies concerning him that were written centuries -before the advent of our Lord, and that do testify of him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered Am-nem-hat, "but these proofs only -go to establish the coming of a Divine Man, in whom not -only Plato and Socrates, who knew nothing of the Jews, -but the Egyptians also, and many more, believed. I speak -not of proofs that Messiah was to come, but of the proof -that Jesus, whom Pilate crucified, was he."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The evidences upon this point are twofold," -answered Ammonius. "One line of proof which is the most -satisfying, and which in fact amounts to positive -knowledge, is the personal consciousness of the believer, -experimental religion, whereby he knoweth that faith, the -conviction of sin, the justification of the believer, and all of -the phenomena which must necessarily attend the faith, -are true. But this highest, most satisfactory, most scientific -form of evidence is of course inaccessible to one that -believeth not, except by the testimony of those who have -personal experience of the truth. The other line of -evidence is founded on the fact that the prophecies foretold -for centuries just what Messiah should do and suffer when -he might come, and we know that Jesus did and -suffered just those things--many of them not possible to be -done without the Divinity--as healing of the sick, unstopping -the deaf ears, cleansing the lepers, restoring sight to -the blind, raising the dead, and preaching good tidings -to the poor; all of which things Jesus customarily did, all -of which things his followers have done from that day to -this; whereby we know that he is Christ indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou mean to assert that the Christians yet work -miracles?" asked Am-nem-hat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly," replied Ammonius. "Jesus not only -did the miracles himself, but did solemnly promise that, -wherever his disciples should continue to obey him in all -things, they should be able, by faith in his name, to do -thaumaturgical works even unto the end of time; and -they have certainly done so ever since."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou really believe that thou hast seen a miracle -with thine own eyes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily," said Ammonius, "and many of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ancient paused a long time, and seemed lost in -profoundest meditation. At length he answered in a tone of -inexpressible sadness and weariness: "I was in the -temple service at Thebes for nearly half a century, and much of -the time a priest. At Ombos I was high-priest for -five-and-twenty years, and until some five years ago. I have seen -some wonders, indeed, which the people called miracles. -but alas! alas! I know just how those things were done! -The sun rises and sets, and no man hindereth it! The -Nile overfloweth its banks, and refresheth all the land of -Kem, and shrinketh back in his accustomed channel; the -stars in heaven pursue their bright and tranquil way, and -seed-time cometh, and the harvest; and life and death. -All nature moves on in obedience to fixed, changeless, -universal laws, which have been from the beginning; and I -find myself unable to believe that these laws were ever -violated, or suspended, in order to furnish evidences of -any religion, or for any purpose whatever; although, no -doubt, good men may believe that such things have occurred."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And as to that," said Ammonius, "beyond any question -thou art right. He hath but a poor conception of our -God who thinketh that, in creating a world wherein he -intended miracles to occur, he did not know enough to -provide natural laws by which these phenomena might come -to pass without violating or suspending the established -order. But, if I could know that it violates or suspends any -law of nature to raise the dead, I would not believe such a -fact, although I have seen it done. But why dost thou -suppose that the anastasis of the dead is contrary to -natural law? Our Lord hath never said so; on the contrary, -he came to fulfill, not to violate, the law. Surely thou -canst not declare that any miracle violates or suspends, or -is without law, unless thou canst first truthfully declare -that all laws are known to thee, and that among them -there is none by which the dead might be raised up. But -although thou art wise and learned, thou knowest that -Nature withholdeth many secrets yet from thee. Thou -knowest that no man hath mastered all her laws; and even those -which we know may be weak, and mean, and narrow, -compared with those of which we are profoundly ignorant. -But we Christians teach that God is not the author of -confusion, but of order; that all laws of nature, physical, -mental, spiritual, are but the expression of his will, which -must be harmonious throughout, and can not be -self-contradictory; and that just as he hath made some law by -which water seeks a level, and by which heavy bodies tend -toward the center of the world, and by which oil and water, -that repel each other by nature, will unite with an alkali -to make a new creature, just so he hath established laws -by which the miracles are done; so that the anastasis of -the dead, or any other miracle, must be as purely and -truly a natural phenomenon as is the rising of the sun, -or the falling of the dew--not so common, perhaps, -because these phenomena involve powers and faculties -of the human soul that do not act always and -automatically as do the laws of physical nature; so neither -does one sleep, or talk, or think always, but only when -he wills to do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a new, strange view of thaumaturgy! Thou -sayst 'the miracles are under law'; perhaps, then, other -men besides the Christians might be able to perform -them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not to what extent it might be possible for -other men to exercise the power of faith which is an -essential condition in the working of miracles. I -suppose they might do wonderful things, that would bear -about the same relation to our Christian miracles that -their various religions bear to our holy Christianity. -And I suppose that the witchcraft and demonology -denounced by Moses were the results of the exercise of -faith in false gods. But a Christian miracle, depending -upon faith in Christ as a primary condition for the -exercise of thaumaturgical power, must remain impossible -to all who possess not that faith. Thou hast read the -Gospels, and thou knowest the Lord hath said, 'If ye -had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say unto -this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into -the midst of the sea, and it should obey you.' But he -also said, 'Without me ye can do nothing.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I infer," said Am-nem-hat, "that thou thinkest -faith to be the law of miracles; thou thinkest that this -faith is itself a force in nature sufficient for the -accomplishment of physical results; and that they who -sincerely believe may, by means of this force, even raise -up the dead. Why, then, are not all the dead raised up?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast stated the law rather too broadly," -answered Ammonius. "The faith that worketh miracles -must be applied under proper conditions to be of any -avail. Water, oil, and alkali do not always produce -soap, but only when the proper conditions are observed. -So I suppose that no man could be raised up from the -dead against his will; and, while there be many -Christians that have sought for martyrdom, there be but few -that were willing to be raised again, and fewer still that -ever requested the brethren to pray for their anastasis, -because they preferred to depart, and to be with the -Lord, which is far better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do remember," said Am-nem-hat, "that many -years ago, when Decius was Emperor of Rome, a bitter -persecution raged against the Christians at Alexandria. -I saw Julian, and Macar, and Epimachus, and Alexander -burned at the stake; and truly many seemed to seek -for martyrdom rather than to shun it, a fact which we -attributed to a certain incorrigible and hopeless -wickedness in them, and not, as thou dost, to their assurance -of obtaining a better life. I suppose, indeed, that such -men as those would not have desired to be restored to -a life which they seemed anxious to lose; and it -seemeth reasonable enough that, even if it had been possible -to do so, they should not have been recalled against -their will. Wilt thou not state more fully yet the -conditions upon which thou thinkest this thaumaturgy may -be exercised?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Faith in Jesus is the primary condition," said -Ammonius, "but there are also others. Once a man came -unto our Lord and besought him to heal his son, saying -that the disciples had been unable to do so. Our Lord -did heal him with a word. Afterward the disciples -inquired of him why it was that they had failed in doing -the same work, and he said unto them that it was -because of their unbelief. Now thou must perceive that -it was not because of their want of faith in him, for -they were then following him; so that it must have -been because of their unbelief in their own power and -authority to do the work in his name. It seemeth, -therefore, that faith on the part of the thaumaturgist in -his own power to accomplish the miracle in the Lord's -name is one of the conditions of thaumaturgy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That also seemeth to be a reasonable and proper -condition," answered Am-nem-hat. "But are there yet -others?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is written that he did not many wonderful works -at Capernaum because of their unbelief. He often said -to those who asked his aid, 'Be it unto thee according -to thy faith.' And from these facts it seems to follow -that faith on the part of him for, or upon, whom the -work was to be done, and on the part of those among -whom it was to be done, was also one of the conditions -upon which the exercise of thaumaturgical power depended."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," objected Am-nem-hat, "if he was in truth -divine, why should he pay any attention to the -unbelieving or to the unwilling? Why did he not do the -miracles in defiance of them all, as well as if they had -been faithful and willing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because," answered Ammonius, "our Lord teacheth -and requireth only a willing obedience and faith. -Not God himself will force the human will; for that -which is of compulsion hath no morality. It is of -necessity, therefore, neither holy nor unholy. A necessary -holiness is a contradiction in terms. God's use of -sovereignty hath been to make man free. Besides, faith -itself is the law of miracles; to have wrought miracles -where no faith was, would have been to violate the very -law by which he worked, and so to have degraded miracles -to the plane of an arbitrary and sporadic exhibition of -divine power, instead of leaving them as they are, the -highest result of the very highest form of universal law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That seemeth reasonable enough," rejoined -Am-nem-hat, "and in accordance with my conception of the -character of a holy and perfect God. But as I perceive -thou clearly comprehendest the Christian system, upon -which I have bestowed much thought almost in vain, -suffer me to put one other case to thee which seemeth -to me to be inexplicable upon any principles which thou -hast stated as constituent elements of the law of -miracles, if thou art not yet weary of my questions."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," said Ammonius, "I am not weary. Thou -mayst ask many things, indeed, which I know not, and -can not answer; but, so far as I can give thee any aid, -it affordeth me pleasure to answer thee as intelligently -as I can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The matter is this," said Am-nem-hat. "It is -recorded in thy sacred books that when the apostles were -going about Jerusalem, imparting the Paraclete by the -laying on of their hands, and working divers miracles, -one Simon, a magician, came unto them and offered -money unto them if they would communicate unto him -the same power, so that he also might become a -thaumaturgist. But one of them, named Peter, did bitterly -rebuke him, saying, 'Thy money perish with thee!' Now, -the apostles had faith; the people who saw them -doing all these wonderful works had faith, and were -baptized by Philip. Simon Magus himself had faith as much -as any one of them, and, when Peter rebuked him, with -fear and trembling he besought Peter, saying, 'Pray ye -to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye -have spoken come upon me.' Now, here seem to have -been all of the conditions of faith and willingness in -Simon of which thou hast spoken, and yet Peter manifestly -regarded the desire of Simon as a sort of sacrilege. -Why was this so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why," said Ammonius, "Peter declared that his -thought that the gift of God may be purchased with -money was evil; and that his heart was not right in the -sight of God, and that he should repent of his wickedness, -and that his very thought showed that he was still -in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is very true," answered Am-nem-hat, "but his -tender of money to the apostles only proves his -appreciation of the value of the power which he desired to -purchase. Peter saith not that Simon was a bad man, but -that this particular thing was wicked; why was it so in -him, and not in them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because," replied Ammonius, "it is manifest from -the whole record that Simon desired to purchase this power -for himself, and to use it for his own purposes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly so," persisted Am-nem-hat, "but in what -respect was it sacrilegious for him to desire to use the -power for his own purposes, any more than it would -have been to use his brain, or his hand, for his own -advancement; or his learning, or skill, for the acquisition -and cultivation of which he had, perhaps, expended -money?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The answer to thy question," replied Ammonius, -"involves some consideration of the very genius of -Christianity as a system of divine truth. If, as thou seemest -to suppose, the religion of our Lord had been only a -system of spiritual truth, it might be difficult to deny -that the apostles were selfish, and that Simon was very -badly treated. But this is not at all true. Thou -knowest that the legislation of Moses was for the Israelites -only; that of Egypt for the land and people of Kem -only; that of other lands and ages for certain peoples -only. But thou canst not have read the scriptures so -carefully without learning the fact that Jesus died for -all men, and that his truth is designed for all mankind. -Thou seest, therefore, that, if Simon Magus could have -obtained this power to exercise it for his own -purposes, he would have made it the agency by which to -gain limitless authority and wealth unto himself, and -oppress the poor. Thou seest also that, if any nation -or government could exercise thaumaturgical powers, that -nation or government would soon become the ruler and -the tyrant of the world. Thou seest that, if any church -that is in any way connected with, or bound unto, an -earthly government, could exercise this power, ecclesiasticism -would quickly make mankind its slaves: for manifestly -no people could long resist a government that had -thaumaturgical power wherewith to enforce obedience to its -laws. Thou seest also that if the faith that is effective for -miracles could be exercised for any purposes except the -edification of the Church and the good of all men, the faith -itself might have become a nameless and unappealable -tyranny. Nay, if it were ever possible to exercise such power -except under such conditions as necessarily and absolutely -to preclude the use of it for any private purposes, thou -seest that sooner or later, under the influence of inborn -selfishness, the thaumaturgists would have made war upon -each other, and, in place of seeing nations contending -with sword, and bow, and spear, we would have seen -them hurling against each other all of the destructive -forces of nature, and only chaos and utter ruin could -have ended the superhuman strife. It was therefore -ordained that the thaumaturgic faith can not be -exercised except under conditions which necessarily exclude -the use of it for private purposes, and insure its exercise -for the good of the common Church only."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Canst thou specify by what means this restricted use -of the power hath been enforced? For it seemeth to -me that, if it exists, it must be beyond control."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In order to exclude all worldly ambitions and selfishness -from the kingdom which he established in the world, -our Lord ordained that his Church should be a community -in which all men are free and equal--brethren only. Hence -he ordained, as the fundamental law of the kingdom, that -all private rights of property (including estates, rank, -offices, prerogatives) should be forever abolished in his -Church, and that Christians should hold them all in -common. Hence, the kingdom of heaven is an absolute -democracy, social and political, based upon faith in Christ, -and community of rights and property among all who -believe. Of this community the apostles themselves were the -divinely appointed type. They used thaumaturgy for the -common good only, and not for personal aggrandizement. -The common treasure was put into a bag, and, as if to -show the divine scorn of wealth and of all human -distinctions that grow out of it, the bag was intrusted to -Judas, the only base one of the twelve. It was easier -for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for -a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, because -the law of that kingdom imperatively required the -consecration of all that he had to the common good. But, -under the power of a living faith, many complied with -this law, and the Church prospered. Thus did the -bishops that were ordained by the apostles, as Linus at Rome, -Polycarp at Smyrna, Evodius at Antioch, and others also. -Thus did Paulinus, Cyprian, Hilary, and others. Such -has been the law and practice of the common Church -even unto this day. For the primary law of the -kingdom of heaven demandeth the consecration of all -property, and the abdication of all worldly honors, offices, -and authority. And Simon Magus desired not part or -lot in this kingdom, but his own advantage only. And -thou must perceive that thaumaturgical power exercised -by such a church must necessarily be for the common -good of all, and not for any personal, political, or -sectarian purposes; and the faith that worketh wonders -must therefore be impossible to any human association -except to the church organized upon the foundation -which Jesus himself laid, even the communion of the -holy; for the liberty, fraternity, and equality, which -constitute the socialism and politics of the kingdom, can -not exist upon any other foundation. And, of course, -thaumaturgic power will vanish even out of the Church -if the day shall ever come in which those who believe -shall abandon the communal organization of the kingdom -of heaven, and establish human statutes as the law -thereof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," said Am-nem-hat, "that thy words remove -many of the difficulties which have beset my study of thy -sacred books. For I now perceive that the parables of -Jesus--a species of literary composition unknown, -perhaps impossible, to other men--which I supposed to -refer to some spiritual, mystical doctrines, were in fact -spoken concerning his Church, or kingdom, in this world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly so," replied Ammonius. "And thou hast -done well to characterize the parable as 'a species of -literary composition unknown and impossible to other men'; -for no other man hath written a parable, nor do I suppose -that any man ever will do so. For he spake as never man -spake: he spake in parables; without a parable he spake -not. The history, the poem, the fable, the allegory, may -be used by other teachers also; but the parable is the -language of Jesus alone; and no man can handle it but himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can now understand that strange parable of 'the -unjust steward,'" said Am-nem-hat, "although, when I -first read the words, 'I say unto you, make to yourselves -friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when -ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations,' -I did even suppose that Jesus represented eternal life to -be a vendible thing, and that his religion, like every other, -assured the rich that they could purchase salvation with -money--although this seemed to be antagonistic to the -general current of his teachings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Verily," replied Ammonius, "the words of Jesus -would convey no other meaning, if, indeed, the -fundamental law of the Church had not excluded therefrom all -the private wealth, honors, and authority after which the -Gentiles seek. But, if thou wilt consider that the unjust -steward is any believer that useth his means, pecuniary, -intellectual, physical, for his own aggrandizement, and -not for the common good; that the Lord of that steward -is Jesus; that unrighteous mammon is wealth held by -private ownership, and that the true riches is wealth held -by common title for the good of all--thou canst then -understand how, even upon ceasing to be steward (the end of -life), one may make amends for past selfishness and -mammon-worship, by giving up his property to the common -Church. Thou canst understand how it is just that those -who come in even at the eleventh hour to work in his -vine-yard shall have an equal reward with those who entered -early and bore the heat and burden of the day. Thou wilt -see that it is true that those who gave up houses and lands -for his sake and the gospel's reaped manifold more 'now -in this present life' by gaining a communal title in the -property of all other believers--an increase which our Lord -expressly promises as to all the interests and relationships -of life, except as to the wife; for, while, if one leave -houses, lands, father, mother, brother, sister, or children, -for the gospel's sake, the severed interests and relationships -are replaced a hundred-fold by his admission into the -kingdom of heaven, monogamic marriage was and is the -law of the Church. And thou canst thus give a practical -and beautiful meaning to all that our Lord hath said and -done; thou wilt see that the social and political system -of the gospel is the only kingdom that can ever banish -crime, hatred, and selfishness out of human life, and so -regenerate the world; thou wilt see that the Scribes and -Pharisees persecuted our Lord because his kingdom -excluded war, slavery, private-property rights, estates, rank, -offices, prerogatives--of all which things they were -'covetous'--just as the Romans and all other established -governments persecute the Christians, even unto this day, for -the same reasons. For Christ desireth the brotherhood of -men; the liberty and equality of men; and that the -average talents, energy, and prosperity of all may insure the -common weal; and not that some shall be emperors, lords, -and masters, whereby it cometh to pass that many must be -slaves; not that some be inordinately rich, and others -distressfully poor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will read the gospels and the Acts again in the -light of thine instructions," said Am-nem-hat. "But, -verily, many passages thereof already come crowding into -my mind that bear new and potent meanings; for I perceive -clearly enough that Christianity is not only a system -of spiritual truth, but also of social and political truth, -that is founded upon the faith, and from that basis -assaulteth selfishness in its strong citadel of private rights -by elevating the common good into a higher thing than -private aggrandizement, and separating the people of his -kingdom from all personal honors, prerogatives, and -wealth, after which the Gentiles seek."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou wilt perceive this all the more clearly," said -Ammonius, "if thou wilt reread the gospels with this -thought in thy mind; for thou wilt at once perceive that -many passages, which in any other view would seem -strongly tainted with fanaticism, or rhapsody, or -demagoguery, are precisely the things which Jesus ought to -have said if his kingdom was, indeed, a social and political -democracy founded upon faith and community of rights -and property. For the Jews, who supposed that our Lord -would overturn the Roman authority and establish a great -Israelitish nation instead thereof, were not any more in -error than are those who falsely suppose that he would -establish no kingdom at all, and that he taught only spiritual -truth, as do the Therapeutæ."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am familiar with the work of Philo 'On a Contemplative -Life, or the Devout,'" answered Am-nem-hat, "in -which he giveth a full and succinct account of the -Therapeutæ; but, indeed, I had supposed that he therein -intended to describe the first heralds of the gospel, and the -practices handed down from the apostles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beyond doubt the Therapeutæ were Christians," -continued Ammonius, "but they separated themselves from -the apostolical churches in order to lead a more devout -life, and they gradually exalted all their conceptions of -spiritual truth until they began to despise all temporal -surroundings; and in this they departed from the teaching -of our Lord: for there is no teacher of men more free -from asceticism or stoicism than is Jesus. He was ever -busied about and interested in the common, every-day -life of common men; he was touched with the feeling of -our infirmity in all things; sympathized in all the joys -and sorrows of those about him, their trials and triumphs, -seeking to lead them, not out of the world, but into a -way of life wherein every pure and wholesome feeling, -affection, and faculty of the human heart might find full -development, exercise, and satisfaction. The vast difference, -indeed, between Jesus and the philosophers subsists in the -fact that, while they were ever painfully seeking for rules -and actions by which the select and favored few might -attain a perfect human life, he ordained a simple, perfect -system by which to bring the higher, purer life within the -reach of all men, especially the poor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In such conversations the time passed quickly; and it -was strange to note with what deep interest the sorrowful -Hatasa, and also Theckla and Arius, listened to every -word, and strove to catch the full signification of every -phrase; while Arete heard it patiently, as one might listen -to an oft-told but still pleasant story, and old Thopt, as if -she knew little and cared less about the whole matter, -being satisfied that whatever Ammonius and his wife -might do must be right and true.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-one-thing-needful"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE ONE THING NEEDFUL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the same day began Arius to teach Theckla letters; -for, although the girl had been remarkably well instructed -for an Egyptian maiden, all of her tuition had been oral. -But, in accordance with her strong wish to learn how to -read and write, the boy began at once with the three -alphabets, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and in a single day -she learned all of the letters, and the relative power of -each, and in a very short time she could make all of the -characters with a sharp point of </span><em class="italics">keil</em><span> upon a leaf of -papyrus. Then, as leisure served, he would take a single word, -as, for example, "spirit," and would pronounce and spell -it in the three languages (</span><em class="italics">nishema, pneuma, animus</em><span>), and -she would repeat the three names for the same thing after -him, and spell them, and write them down, over and over -again, until she had become thoroughly familiar with -the letters, the sound, and the form of the written word. -The acquisition of a few words every day soon gave her -command of a considerable vocabulary in each tongue, and -she rapidly learned to associate the words with all familiar -objects, and to call them by the right name in either -tongue. Then he would select some short passage, -generally from the sacred writings, and during the day she -would write it over and over again, in each of the -languages, while he was absent upon the various duties which -pertained to his part of the farm-labor. The girl was -continually learning; and it was pleasant to see how soon she -began, of her own accord, to select and translate into the -different tongues any passage which pleased her. This -process of education continued, as we shall hereafter see, -during the years which she spent at Baucalis, and finally -Theckla became very familiar with the three languages in -which the scriptures were then written.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the next evening after that described in the last -chapter, all the dwellers at the cottage assembled again in -Hatasa's room, by her request, to hold the usual evening -service; for the lady had seldom quitted her bed, and she -remained deplorably weak, suffering with continual pain -in her lungs, the result, perhaps, of her great exposure -during the storm, and of the terrible depression of spirits -that succeeded it. All through the pagan world, the only -known refuge from hopeless sorrow was suicide, and the -idea of self-destruction was ever present to her. Perhaps -her maternal affection for Theckla alone deterred her from -putting an end to her life; for it was not regarded by the -heathen as cowardly, criminal, or even immoral, to seek -that refuge from misfortune. Cato did it; Seneca -approved of it; Epictetus, Aurelius, and all the great lights -of pagan antiquity regarded self-immolation as a matter of -choice, and often as an act of wisdom. But, from the -moment in which Hatasa had been informed that the kind -friends who surrounded her were Christians, she felt a -desire to know more of them, and of their peculiar religion, -strong enough to give her a new interest in life; and -she had requested Ammonius to have the service in her -room, and told him that, although she was too weak to take -any part in their conversation about Christianity, she -desired to hear himself and Am-nem-hat discuss any topic -pertaining thereto in which they were interested. So, -after the usual exercises of reading and prayer, the whole -family remained together. The ancient remarked to -Ammonius that during the day he had pondered much upon -the things spoken of in their former conversation, and -suggested, as a difficulty in the way of the acceptance of -Christianity, something like the following: "I can understand -how a kind and merciful God might lay down certain rules -of action, and require obedience to his laws, under -whatever penalties he might choose to impose; but it seemeth -to me that to require one </span><em class="italics">to believe</em><span>, as the sole condition -of justification, is arbitrary and unjust. Suppose that one -hath some natural bent of mind, or hath been reared and -educated in some such way that it is hard, perhaps -impossible, for him to believe; yet thy books say: 'Believe and -live; he that believeth not is condemned already.' Is not -this an arbitrary demand for faith; and doth it not do -violence to that very autonomy of the will which thou sayest -Jesus himself always respected and venerated?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou dost somewhat mistake the matter," said -Ammonius. "The Lord does not demand our faith; he -simply stateth an actual fact, which is, that the believer is -justified by faith, and that he who does not believe is -condemned already."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hardly understand what thou sayest: 'he simply -stateth an actual fact.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think thou wilt find that there is no arbitrary -demand in it. Our Lord gave no command only -because he had power and authority to do so; but he -knew what was in man, and gave only such commands -as his divine wisdom perceived to be necessary for the -welfare of mankind. As to the necessity of faith upon -which he insists, the case is thus: All men upon earth -are under the conviction of sin, and all alike are forever -seeking for some escape from the bonds of this -conviction. Thou wilt perceive that this conviction hath no -reference to any specific, sinful act; for, perhaps, the -best and purest men have always been those who felt it -most keenly. It is a consciousness of alienation between -the human and the divine. It is a natural, intuitive -perception, in the heart of every man, that he is not as -good as he ought to be, less perfect than he might be. -The universal desire to get rid of this conviction of sin -hath filled the world with false and ineffectual religions -from the very dawn of time; for all men, in every age -and clime, have sought for some form of penance or -of sacrifice, some means in faith or work, by which to -make atonement and secure reconciliation, and thereby -shake off this conviction of sin. Hast thou ever heard -of any kindred, tribe, or tongue (or even of any -individual), that professed to be perfect, sinless, needing no -sacrifice, no atonement for sin--that is, for a consciously -sinful condition independent of all specific acts of -transgression?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," answered Am-nem-hat; "for thou art clearly -right in that. All men do by nature bewail their -sinful state. Humanity standeth forever like the lepers -in Israel, with uplifted hand, crying aloud to heaven -and earth, 'Unclean! unclean!' It is a conviction upon -which philosophy hath no power. It cometh some time -into every human heart, resistless as the precession of -the equinoxes, spontaneous as the flowing of the -Nile--a natural thing, which a man can no more control than -he can reach forth his puny hand and unloose the bands -of Orion, or bind the sweet influence of Pleiades, or -guide Arcturus and his suns. All literature, all -monuments, all ages, and all men, testify unto this terrible -truth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now the work of Jesus," said Ammonius, "was -not to burden this sick and sorrowful nature with any -arbitrary law of faith, but was to provide a way by -which this universal conviction of sin might be atoned -for--a perfect righteousness and sacrifice available by -faith for our justification; to wit, that God was in -Christ reconciling the world unto himself. And faith is -made the condition, because no other condition could be -available for all men alike, whether great or small, rich -or poor, learned or ignorant; and Jesus died for all! -Thou must see that this faith, instead of being, as thou -didst suppose, an arbitrary condition or command, is -simply the enabling act, instituted by divine wisdom and -compassion, by means whereof we may be able to attain -unto reconciliation with God. And without this faith -we could never be justified by holy life and works alone, -because it is a law of our nature that, just as we become -better and purer beings, our conception of the degree of -fitness required of us necessarily becomes higher, so that -it is impossible for us to get any nearer to it; so that -without faith the best men are as much under conviction -of sin as the worst; so that without faith it is impossible -for us to be consciously justified, because our nature -requires a perfect righteousness; and this perfect -righteousness and sacrifice must be human, that we may be -able to trust its love and willingness to aid us, and must -be divine, that we may have faith in its power to save. -Hast thou ever heard of any name given under heaven, -or among men, which supplies these natural and necessary -conditions for our conscious justification and -reconciliation with God, and with our own hearts also, -except the name of Jesus Christ? If thou hast, please -utter it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Verily," answered Am-nem-hat, "there is none. -No religion of which I have heard professeth to know any."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man seemed lost in profoundest meditation, -and there was silence in the room, until Theckla said: -"Father Am-nem-hat, do thou bid Arius repeat what -things he said to me of this matter of faith when he -was teaching the alphabets to me this morning. I think -it was much plainer than thy learned discoursing with -Ammonius."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," said Am-nem-hat, "I beg that Arius will -do so, for I much desire to hear thereof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy blushed vividly at being so called upon in -the presence of his elders, but, at a sign from his father, -he stood up before them, saying: "I did not suppose -the talk of persons so young could interest those who -are so much older and wiser, but, as ye desire to hear -it, I can almost repeat it. As Theckla and I were -running over the alphabets, in order to get the sound of -the letters and the form of the characters, she came upon -the letter 'A' a second time, and she cried out: 'Oh, -I know that one; it is Latin A, Greek Alpha, Hebrew -Aleph.' And I said unto her, 'Theckla, how knowest -thou that the characters stand for these sounds?' and -she answered, 'Thou didst tell me so, and I did -believe thee, boy, and that is how I know it.' Then said -I: 'Theckla, thou learnest the alphabet by faith only. -If thou wert naturally constituted so that thou couldst -not believe, thou couldst never learn anything not -tangible to thy senses. If thou wert by nature even -indifferent between faith and non-faith, thy progress in the -acquisition of knowledge would be slow and painful. -Thou shouldst therefore learn, from the learning of these -alphabets, that faith is the first, most inevitable act of -intelligence. Thou shouldst learn that belief precedes -knowledge always, that Faith is the elder sister and -leadeth Knowledge by the hand, and that without -antecedent faith it is impossible to learn and to know -anything except what is palpable to the senses; just as it -would be impossible for thee to learn these alphabets -without faith.' And thereupon Theckla did pinch mine -ear, and laugh at me, saying, 'That all seemeth to be -true and plain enough, thou odd boy, but why art thou -preaching at me now?' And I did answer: 'Because, -thou dear sister, some time thy faith may be demanded -for another alphabet than this, even the alphabet of -spiritual life; and, when that day shall come, I would have -thee remember that just as all human knowledge is -builded upon the basis of faith only, so it should not -seem a hard thing unto thee that God hath fashioned -thy nature so that thou must be incapable of learning -even the alphabet of everlasting life except upon the -very same condition of faith only. Faith precedeth all -knowledge; believe and obey, and finally thou shalt -know.' I think this was about what was spoken -between us concerning faith."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And it is most wise, beautiful, and instructive talk," -said Am-nem-hat, "and serveth to complete the powerful -utterances of thy father upon the same lofty and -interesting subject. I do thank thee for repeating it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then spake Hatasa, saying to Ammonius, "Suppose -that one hath died without having known the truth -concerning Jesus, and without having exercised this faith, -is there no hope for such a one?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The trembling voice in which she spoke, and the look -of timid, doubtful entreaty which accompanied these -words, touched every heart, and made them all feel that -by "such a one" the poor lady meant her young and -gallant husband Amosis, whose memory seemed ever in -her heart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ammonius answered: "I do not know whether I -could make thee understand fully the views which we -Christians entertain about such a case as thou hast -suggested, but we believe that there is hope for such a -man. The great apostle Paul was Saul of Tarsus, and -for a long time he did persecute the Christians because -they were Christians, yet he declareth himself that he -acted in all good conscience before God, believing that -it was his duty to do so, and he afterward became the -great apostle and a glorious martyr. I doubt not that -there are among those who now persecute the Christians -some good and just men, that would follow Jesus unto -death if they could know him as he is. The conviction -of sin, we know, hath no reference to any specific -transgression, nor hath the forgiveness of sin. Whether -an act be a sin or not dependeth largely upon the intent -with which it is done. Now, when the heathen, who -know not Jesus nor his divine truth, do yet live just and -righteous lives according to the best light and knowledge -they possess, and die without the consolation of the -faith, the benefit of the atonement accrueth to them in -some way, we know not precisely how far, nor to what -effect; to all such, indeed, and especially to such as have -some living Christian relative or friend that taketh upon -himself the rite of baptism for the dead; for, if they have -not the law, they are not judged by the law, but by their -works and righteousness under the law which they have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is that?" said Hatasa, with breathless interest. -"Thou sayest a living Christian may be baptized for the -dead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly," answered Ammonius. "The apostles -so taught, and the Church hath always so practiced. If -any Christian hath a relative that died without -knowledge of Jesus, and such Christian doth believe that the -deceased was a just and righteous person according to -the measure of light given unto him, and was such that -he would have followed our Lord if he had known -sufficiently of him, such Christian may receive baptism for -the deceased, and the dead shall reap benefit of this -vicarious faith and obedience, how and to what extent -hath never been clearly revealed unto us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is hope in that!" cried Hatasa. "There is -consolation in that. Thy Lord must have been full of -human love and pity to make provision not only for his -friends, but for those good and just men, also, who have -ignorantly been his enemies."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily," answered Ammonius. "He loveth all -men; his mercy endureth forever; his loving-kindness -is stronger than height, or depth, or life, or death, or -any other creature, as thou mayest assuredly know for -thyself if thou wilt believe on him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Am-nem-hat said: "There is much in this religion -that taketh fast hold upon both the heart and the -mind; for it verily seemeth that Jesus seeketh not to -impose a system upon man that is in any respect -external to man, but rather that he seeketh to show unto -man such spiritual food as is most divinely suitable to -satisfy that hunger of the soul wherefrom the whole -world suffereth already; and he seemeth to propose -nothing as matter of faith which was not already a -conscious want and need of nature: so that his teachings -ought to be accepted as at least the highest utterance -of philosophy if even not as divinely true."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thy profound criticism of the spirit of our religion -striketh very nearly to the heart of the whole matter," -said Ammonius. "For the world yearned after God -whom it knew not, and Jesus plainly declareth that -unknown God whom men ignorantly worship. The world -groaned and sorrowed under the blind conviction of sin, -and, wherever men acquired a local habitation and a name -on earth, there they had their holy places also; and in -some way--often in a crude and ignorant way, often in -a gross and sensual way, often in a heathenish and cruel -way--they sought, by sacred rites of penitence and -sacrifice, to atone for their wrong deeds done; but the wrongs -continually repeated themselves, and the unavailing -religions left the world's heart like a troubled sea that can -not rest. But Jesus saith the sin for which ye suffer is -not a wrong thing done at all; these wicked deeds of -yours are not sin, but are the outcroppings of the sin -that lieth back of all your deeds. Can a bitter fountain -send forth sweet waters? Doth an evil tree bear good -fruits? Do ye gather figs from thistles? Cease now -your world-old and unavailing efforts to regenerate the -heart by the vain expiation of your wicked deeds. -Purify the fountain, that the waters thereof may be sweet. -Make the tree good, and its fruits shall be good also. -For sin is non-conformity to the will of God, and your -evil deeds are only the evidences of your enmity against -him. So, when the blind yearnings of the world's heart -after peace had made sacrifices, not only of every beast -and creeping thing upon the earth, but of men also, he -saith: 'All these things ye do in vain, for your -righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, or -ye shall likewise perish. I am the Light, the Truth, -the Way--the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of -the world--a perfect righteousness and sacrifice once for -all offered for the sin of men. Believe in me, and ye -shall be saved; all other sacrifices are in vain.' So every -yearning want of the heart is met and satisfied in Christ. -All other religions under heaven condemn actions which -they suppose to be wicked, and prescribe certain forms -of expiation for such as they suppose to be expiable; but -Jesus proposes to pardon, not so much the sinful act -as the sinner, the sinful nature out of which the act -ariseth, and to regenerate this nature so that it will hate -what it believes to be wicked, and love what it believes -to be holy. For Christ atoneth for all sin, and the act -of faith is to personally appropriate the benefit thereof -to each one for himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True," said Am-nem-hat, "and I undertake to assert -that no other religion in the world hath so represented sin -to be want of conformity to the will of God, rather than an -evil deed; and in this whole matter of sin and the -forgiveness thereof, thy religion differeth from paganism more -radically than even in the doctrine of one God it differeth -from polytheism."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And in this and such like conversation the evening -wore away until bed-time came, and they separated for -the night. The family at Baucalis did not speak or think -of these matters as of mere abstract theories of truth, or of -philosophy, but as actual, living verities. The Christians -felt their religion to be the only real life. They regarded -all earthly pursuits, passions, and pleasures, as mere -incidents of existence, and religion as the one controlling -and all-important thing. Their pleasant home was to -them a merely temporary station on the highway whereby -they were journeying to a better land; the flesh was -only a tabernacle which the spirit must soon forsake; -all that pertained to it was for a brief season only; the -real life was only begun during their occupancy of this -earthly tenement; Christian faith was to them the one -thing real and permanent, and earthly existence was of -little consequence except as it might stand related to -eternal interests. Hence there was a freshness, a vigor, -a sense of reality and earnestness, in their way of -thinking and speaking of such things, that demonstrated their -religion to be no beautiful, speculative philosophy, but -a hard, experimental, and all-controlling fact. And so -every night during that week the dwellers at Baucalis -assembled in Hatasa's room, and passed long hours in -the discussion of all the salient points of Christianity in -a friendly, careful way, as if, indeed, they had a mutual -interest in ascertaining the truth, especially concerning -all those ideas upon which the antagonism between -Christianity and paganism most plainly appeared. To set down -all the various conversations in which they engaged would -indeed be to write a treatise upon primitive Christianity, a -work in which, perhaps, no interest would be felt in an age -in which that system no longer exists upon earth, and is -utterly unknown to all except a few self-poised, fearless, -unpopular antiquarians, who have been eccentric and -independent enough to exhume that ancient religion from -out the accumulated </span><em class="italics">débris</em><span> of fifteen centuries of -ecclesiastical "progress" which flourisheth over its ruins even -as the vine ripens and the roses bloom over the wreck -of buried Pompeii. Yet we can not resist the inclination -that moveth us to write out our notes of one other -evening's conversation that happened between this -Christian family and their pagan guests.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-net-result-of-law"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE NET RESULT OF LAW.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the next evening, after the conclusion of their -usual daily services, the ancient Am-nem-hat began the -conversation which occupied their attention during that -meeting by saying to Ammonius: "Thou didst observe -that the future state of just and good men who died -without any sufficient knowledge of Christianity to lead -them to embrace that faith 'hath never been clearly -revealed unto us.' Is it not true also that the future state -of all men hath been left almost entirely unrevealed? I -ask thee this, because I have found myself altogether -unable, from my readings of the sacred books, to locate -heaven, either anywhere in this world or in any other -sun or star. And either I have utterly failed to -comprehend some of the things which I have carefully read, or -else the scriptures leave this future state in a very misty, -uncertain, indefinite condition. Wilt thou inform me -how this matter may really stand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thy reading is in no respect at fault," replied -Ammonius. "Our Lord hath left the future life altogether -unrevealed, not only in respect to the locality thereof, but -also in every other respect. Types and figures are used in -reference thereto, whereby we know that it shall be eternal -and blest; but, beyond this general assurance of exalted -happiness and unfailing duration, we are not informed. -To each Christian soul it will undoubtedly be the best -that is possible for him: the place, the development, -the environments thereof, and all else that belongeth -thereto, are unrevealed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not whether it would have been more pleasing -to have some definite knowledge of that future life; -that is, I can not tell whether the system of religion would -or would not appear unto me to have been more perfect if -all had been revealed by it, or whether it is wiser and -perhaps even more pleasing to have left it thus vague and -undefined, with a general assurance of its beatitude," said -Am-nem-hat, "yet I could wish that something tangible -and satisfying were revealed in reference thereto. Why, -thinkest thou, was it not more fully revealed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not," answered Ammonius, "but I feel certain -that it was purposely left as a thing to be held by -faith, and not in knowledge. Either it may have been -because it hath not yet entered into the heart of man to -conceive what that life may be, so that human speech -could not convey any adequate knowledge thereof; or, -if it were possible to do so, the overpowering glory and -splendor thereof, if definitely grasped and understood, -and already realized, might render us impatient of this -mundane existence, and too indifferent to all the duties -and obligations thereof. I think, indeed, that those very -Therapeutæ, of whom Philo speaketh, were to be censured -for an unwarranted attempt to realize, in this present -world, a spiritual life which our Lord expressly reserved -for the future; an effort, indeed, necessarily impossible -to succeed, and perhaps injurious both to these anchorites -and to other men also. For the purpose of the gospel is -not only to justify and save all who believe and obey it, -but the declared purpose of our Lord is to regenerate -mankind by the agency of his own kingdom; and surely it -tendeth not to the accomplishment of this purpose to -have Christians withdraw themselves permanently beyond -the reach of common life and experience; so that it is -manifestly an error to suppose that, because they have -the assurance of a superlatively better life beyond, -Christians should for that reason despise the life that now -is. And, in accordance with this view, thou wilt find -that the Church forbiddeth any man to go out of the -world (by suicide) as the heathen commonly do; forbiddeth -any man to seek for martyrdom, as many had done; -and forbiddeth any man to flee from that place in which he -was converted into the mountains and the deserts: because -the kingdom of our Lord must exist in the world--not out -of it--for the regeneration thereof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he saith himself," suggested Am-nem-hat, "'My -kingdom is not of this world.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Verily," replied Ammonius. "And his kingdom is -not 'of' the world, but is 'in' the world. Not surely a -kingdom founded upon the social, religious, and political -laws and customs of the world, like other kingdoms; but, -not the less, a kingdom for men living in the world, and -founded on its own social, religious, and political -economies. And this temporal, earthly kingdom, established -by our Lord in the world, is the very essence of the -gospel, the most important part of the truth which he -revealed to men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is new to me," answered Am-nem-hat, "for -I had supposed that the religious idea chiefly handleth -the affairs of man with reference to the future life, and -that his temporal condition is the affair of government, -unto which he is kept in subjection by the sense of -duty and obligation which religion supplieth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thou art manifestly in the right as to all governments -that exist or ever have existed among men, except -only the kingdom of heaven. How many governments -have existed in Egypt?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not that," answered the ancient. "Our -records cover thirty full dynasties before the second -Persian invasion, which occurred seven centuries ago, but -each of these dynasties represents more than one Pharaoh, -and several of them a great many; for government is not -a permanent thing, and some form of revolution ever -lieth in wait for it, as a tiger in a jungle watcheth a -man to spring upon and strangle him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how many governments have existed among -other peoples and nations during the thousands of years -covered by the records of thy land of Kem?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not that," said Am-nem-hat; "they are -unknown and innumerable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Therefore," answered Ammonius, "each one of them -must have contained, in its very constitution and -nature, the seeds of its own dissolution; and, so far at -least in human history, the science of government hath -learned no secret by which to secure permanency for -itself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The inference thou hast drawn seemeth to follow -necessarily and undeniably from the known facts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what hath been the net result of the science -of government among all the peoples and nations of whom -thou hast ever heard?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Misery!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea!--But state the net result of government in -political or in philosophical terms!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"State it for thyself; I desire to learn of thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hath not the net result of human government everywhere, -in all climes and ages and among all men, been -only to produce, or develop, a ruling class at the top of -every social and political system, unto whom all the -blessings of the government and civilization are given by law; -an oppressed or enslaved people at the bottom, upon whose -weary shoulders rest all of the burdens and the waste -of life; and between these two extremes, some religious -system and some armed force, seeking to adjust the -correlative legal rights and duties of the high and the low, -the rich and the poor, the class that ruleth and the -class that is ruled over, by the agency of religion, so -long as the religious sentiment serveth to keep the people -in bondage, and by sword and spear when superstition -faileth? Add to this result the fact that women are -everywhere slaves, or chattels, legally lower and more -debased than their husbands and fathers, no matter what -position the men may occupy; and have we not plainly -stated, in this terrible formula, the net result of the -science of human government to which it infallibly -leadeth, and from which it hath never escaped? If thy large -learning hath ever taught thee the name and location of -any nation or people of whom this is not true, wilt thou -now declare it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can not name such a government or people," -answered Am-nem-hat. "For history is but a dreary -record of unceasing strife--among the fortunate for -precedence and power, and among the poor for existence; -and during the struggle it hath evermore happened that -the women have been trampled into the filth and mud. -I know not the reason thereof, but the fact is fearfully -true."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Doth it then seem to thee that to have ordained some -system by which this net result of the science of -government may be avoided; some truth by which war and -slavery that have cursed the life and labor of every -people under heaven, may be abolished; some social and -political organization by which the false and cruel -distinctions maintained by accidents of fortune, birth, rank, -or by even genius and extraordinary abilities, between -the rich and the poor, the great and the small, the feeble -and the wise, may be utterly removed; and by which -womanhood, wifehood, maternity, shall be redeemed from -slavery and elevated to such a place that men can no more -degrade them without consciously degrading themselves -also; some divine and human law of brotherhood among -men by which the race shall attain to liberty, equality, -and fraternity--dost thou think that to devise and -establish such a system is a work worthy of a God?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily! most worthy of a God; perhaps -impossible even unto him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This very system hath our Lord ordained; it is the -kingdom of heaven upon earth; it is the common Church -of Jesus Christ whereby the regeneration of mankind must -be secured."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a long silence after this, during which all -seemed to be pondering on what Ammonius had said, -and it was finally broken by Arius, who spoke as follows: -"I do not get all of thy meaning. Why is it true that -all human governments of necessity result in the slavery -of the many to the few, and in their own ultimate -destruction? Why can not wise and good men organize -some form of government that may secure both permanency -for itself and the prosperity of the people also?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, tell us that," said Am-nem-hat, "and also -inform us by what means Jesus designeth to avoid in his -kingdom the net result which seemeth necessarily to -overtake all human governments sooner or later?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same considerations," said Ammonius, "may -furnish an answer to both questions. But first let me -ask of thy great learning, Am-nem-hat, whether any man -hath proposed, or even conceived, of some form of human -government which hath never yet been tried among mankind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think not," said the ancient. "Both Plato and -Aristotle have indulged in the attempt to define all the -possible forms that government might assume; but, even -in the political dream which Plato calleth 'The Republic,' -he faileth to specify any form or machinery of -government which hath not been repeatedly tried and found -to fail; only the results he dreams of are imaginary; the -government he devised hath been vainly experimented -upon by others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Greek philosopher erred in his delineation of an -ideal government both by omitting therefrom the power of -faith as the controlling principle thereof, and by denying -the sanctity of monogamic marriage. His 'Republic' is, -therefore, nugatory, for liberty can not exist in any -community at all unless it exists for all alike; and polygamy -denies the liberty of half the human race by enslaving -women. But thou truly sayest that every possible form -of government hath been tried among men, and that all -of them alike have failed to secure either permanency -for themselves or the welfare of the people. Thou must -see, therefore, that the universal failure of government -dependeth not upon the form of it, nor upon the age, -or clime, or nation in which it existeth; nor upon the -religion, language, laws, nor customs of the people; for -all forms of it have failed alike, in all ages, among all -peoples, under all imaginable religions, languages, -customs, and laws. Seemeth this conclusion to be just and -true?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," answered Am-nem-hat, "I can see no escape -therefrom whatever."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then it surely followeth," said Ammonius, "that -whatever may be the cause of this universal failure of -government, it existeth in all of them alike, and worketh -the destruction and failure of them all, independently -of the form, religion, laws, customs, or other things in -regard to which they differ one from another; for the -cause of this failure must be common to all of them. -Seemeth this conclusion a valid one to thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Verily," said the ancient. "The cause must be one -common to all governments, or else we might find -somewhere a government in which this cause did not exist -and operate; and so find a government that possesseth -permanency and secureth the welfare of the people. But -there hath never been, and is not, such a government on -earth. The cause of failure must be common unto all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou draw from out the store-house of thine -erudition, and show unto us one law or custom that is -common to all human governments? For in that one -thing, whatever it may be, we shall assuredly find the -sole cause of the failure of governments, and of all the -tyranny, injustice, oppression, and wretchedness, that -maketh human life a burden to the masses of mankind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou must state the law or custom that is common -to all governments alike, for thyself," said Am-nem-hat, -"for they differ almost inconceivably in form, religion, -language, laws, and customs; and I recall none which is -common to every human government."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All human governments," said Ammonius, "have -one thing in common: they agree in one pernicious law -and custom which is the cause of failure in them all; -for all human governments alike maintain the legal right -of individuals to acquire, hold, and transmit private -property-rights in estates, offices, prerogatives; even in women -and in slaves. This is the idolatry of mammon, of which -all nations are guilty, the only idolatry which Jesus ever -denounced by name, the only one that opposeth his -kingdom with a potent logic based upon selfishness. Many -are learning to hate this idolatry in respect of the royal -offices: even the debased Romans scorn the name of -'king,' and call their master 'imperator,' the commander -of the army; some tribes hate it in its application to -men, and own no slaves; the Scythians and some other -nations deny the right of property in women, and take -but one wife. Jesus Christ denies the right of private -property, not only in women, slaves, offices, and -prerogatives, but in houses, lands, and everything else. Hence -the property-law of his kingdom imperatively demandeth -the transfer of all that the believer hath unto the -common Church; this sacrifice is hard to make if one -hath great possessions, and, therefore, it is hard for -a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. No rich -man doeth this except under the power of a dominant -faith which teacheth him that the thing which is -best for all believers is best for him; and that the -common good is better than self-aggrandizement. No sane -man doubteth that the political economy of Jesus would -bless the world, if men would adopt it; but not many -great, not many wise, not many rich, not many noble, -come into the kingdom, because selfishness revolts at the -sacrifice of real or imaginary advantages, secured to them -by mammon-worship. It is emphatically the gospel, the -glad tidings, for the poor, and it is a regeneration that -beginneth at the bottom, not at the top, of every social -system. All human governments are founded upon the -idolatrous faith that private rights of property are the -sacredest thing in human life, and that government over -the people is necessary to protect it. Jesus denieth this -faith: he saith that liberty is better than wealth, equality -better than rank, fraternity better than power. He, -therefore, in his kingdom, abolisheth private rights of property -in order to reach something that is infinitely higher and -better for all men; and he summeth up human life, -laws, governments, all that pertaineth to man's social -condition, in one short sentence which containeth in -itself the ultimate truth of all social and political -economy and wisdom: 'Ye can not serve God and -Mammon.' And the Pharisees hated Jesus only because they -were 'covetous'; and the Romans and other nations -persecute us even unto death because they know that -the triumph of the kingdom of heaven is the overthrow -of all government over the people; and they love power, -and wealth, and rank."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How wouldst thou punish crime if all human governments -were thus abolished?" asked the ancient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There would then be no crime to punish," answered -Ammonius. "For human statutes, growing up out of the -idolatry of private rights of property, both create and -punish crimes. There could be neither treason nor war in -the absence of government; and all other crimes, which -in some shape are the out-put of the idolatry of mammon, -would cease with the false social and political systems -which generate and nourish them. Crimes are, and for -nearly three centuries have been, utterly unknown among -the Christian communities."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What, then, standeth in the way of the triumph of -the kingdom of heaven?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Naught except the selfishness of men intrenched -behind the strong rampart of private property-rights--the -one thing against which our Lord hath declared undying -and uncompromising enmity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man sat in silence for a long time, and his -grave and noble face showed the traces of many conflicting -emotions. Finally he said: "Thy son did once ask -me why I am not a Christian, and I could not answer him, -nor do I know. But Arius thought that thou mightst -understand better than either he, or I, the exact attitude -in which my soul standeth toward Christ and his -religion. Canst thou tell me what the trouble is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," said Ammonius unto him, "thou mayst -believe that Jesus is the Christ; thou mayst believe -that his religion is divinely true and perfect, best for -thee and for mankind; thou mayst believe that he is -ready and willing to accept and save every one that -cometh unto him by faith; thou mayst believe that he -will so accept and save thee whenever thou wilt come -unto him thus; thou mayst believe and purpose that -thou wilt come--but all this maketh no man a Christian! -The thing which maketh thee a Christian is the -voluntary surrender of thine own will to the will of -Jesus; to abrogate all in his favor; to accept his will -as thine only law. And this he saith thou canst do if -thou wilt; no man on earth, no angel in heaven, can -do this thing for thee, nor force thee to do it for -thyself; nor can any enginery of earth or hell prevent thee -from doing this thing if thou wilt. It is a matter between -thee and thy Lord only; and thou and he must transact it. -But if, freely and voluntarily, with a full purpose of heart -and mind to obey Christ only, thou makest this grand -surrender of thyself to him, the light, and peace, and -blessedness which he imparteth to those who truly love -him shall be thine own forever. Wilt thou have this -man Christ Jesus to reign over thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then a glorious beauty shone from the old man's countenance, -and his eyes grew bright with happy tears, and he -exclaimed joyously: "I make this surrender now; the -light breaketh in even upon my soul; it is as plain as -the noonday sun: 'Glory be to God in the highest, -and on earth peace; good-will to men!' The truth for -which all my life long I have so vainly sought cometh -unto me as to a little child. And it is pure, satisfying, -beautiful! 'Praise the Lord, O my soul!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Except ye be converted, and become as little children, -ye can in no wise enter into the kingdom!'" said -Ammonius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And all men, great and small, wise and ignorant, -young and old, meet upon an exact equality before our -Lord," said the boy Arius; "for God is no respecter -of persons."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-blind-receive-their-sight"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE BLIND RECEIVE THEIR SIGHT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The next day was the Sabbath again, and Christian -families from the region round about Baucalis, to the -number of some four hundred, assembled at the cottage -for religious services. Some of them came on foot, some -on horseback, and some of them in boats along the coast. -Am-nem-hat informed the presbyter, who came to preach -for them, of his desire, and that of Hatasa and her -daughter, to be received into the kingdom of heaven. He also -informed him that, at his cottage in the neighborhood, -he had a considerable sum in gold and silver, which he -desired to give to the Church, or in some other way -consecrate to holy uses; and that the Egyptian ladies had -property in Alexandria, all of which, or such portion as -he might advise, they wished to use in the same way. -The presbyter informed them that such a desire was -natural and commendable in every one that sought to be a -Christian; but that for the time being they must remain -as stewards of their own estates, because the Christians -of that region were all prosperous and needed nothing, -and there was no application for aid from other -communities. He further told them that, as soon as it might -be considered safe for them to do so, the Christians of the -vicinage purposed to erect a church for the accommodation -of the numerous brethren around about, and that -whenever they might enter upon this work the opportunity -would be given to them to aid therein; and that, -if any calamity should overtake another Christian -community, in any part of the world, whereby they might -be brought to need assistance, he would inform them -of it as soon as the bishops communicated such facts to -him; but that at that time there was no way in which -the money could be used.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Early in the morning Arius and his father had set -up some poles in holes in the ground already made to -receive them, and had stretched strong cords from them -unto the eaves of the cottage, and had unrolled and -fastened thereon a canopy made of wide cotton cloth, -which formed a shelter from the sunshine; and, while -some of the congregation sat within the house, the greater -part of them found places on the outside under the -awning. Hatasa had her couch drawn up beside the open -window, from which she could see and hear all that -might be done. Theckla was here, there, and everywhere, -making friends with nearly all the girls and boys -that attended, and especially with one little fellow of -twelve years of age who was stone-blind. In the course -of her sympathetic talk with this lad he informed her -that his parents had brought him there to have the -Church pray that his sight might be restored to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How long hast thou been thus blind?" asked Theckla.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not know," said the boy. "I remember that -I could once see, and the world was beautiful to me, and -the people, and many things. But it has been so long -since then!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou believe that their prayers can cure thy -blindness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly," said he, "whenever the Lord will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, then, hast thou not sought the prayers of the -Church before this time, if so thou believest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My parents wished not to have the miracle wrought -on me until they thought me to be old enough both to -understand how great an affliction loss of sight is and -to remember the means whereby I regained it--if, indeed, -the Lord will at this time grant our request."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thou surely wilt love Jesus much if he shall -hear thee, wilt thou not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, will I! Indeed, I love him now with all my -soul; but if he restoreth my sight unto me I could work -for him far more when I am older; and chiefly for that -reason do I pray for his mercy in this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I shall pray for thee, also," said Theckla.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And she told Hatasa and Am-nem-hat about the boy, -and they looked amazed thereat, but said nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By nine o'clock in the morning all had assembled -whom they expected; and, having set a watch on the -only practicable road that led down from the mountains -to Baucalis, to give them timely notice of the approach -of any whose coming might endanger them, the exercises -of the day were inaugurated with singing and prayer -and the reading of the gospel. There were a wonderful -simplicity and directness, both in songs and prayers. If -Jesus Christ, the Saviour, Friend, and King, through -whom their worship was addressed to God, had been -visibly present regarding the manner of their devotions, -the whole service could not have been more earnest, -simple, and direct. If, indeed, he was not present, they -thought and felt otherwise; and the sense of his presence -was as real and actual unto them as if, on raising their -eyes, they could have looked him in the face; and this -unquestioning faith gave a strange sense of life and -vividness to all of the exercises, the progress of which -Am-nem-hat, Hatasa, and Theckla watched with joy and -eagerness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The presbyter preached with great simplicity and -earnestness, describing the love of Jesus and the triumphs -of the faith, and in the peroration his address swelled -into a glorious pæan of victory as he declared the -steadfastness and faithfulness of certain Christians who had -recently suffered martyrdom in other places, telling them -that no man could foresee how soon some of them also -might be called upon to tread the glorious path by which -their brethren had been perfected in the Lord, and transferred -to eternal felicity. But, looking into the flashing -eyes and rapt faces turned upon him from every side, -he deemed it prudent to give them solemn warning that -the crown of martyrdom was not to be officiously sought -after, any more than it was to be avoided by unfaithfulness; -but that they must be alike ready to live unto -Christ, or to die for him, as the providence of God might -determine to be best for each of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he said that if there were any present who had -not before publicly professed their faith in Christ, and -desired to do so, the Church would then witness their -good confession; and thereupon Am-nem-hat and Theckla -both stepped forward and gave their hands to the -presbyter. The presbyter then briefly stated to the people -the facts which he had learned in regard to the past life -and experience of the ancient, and the recital thereof at -once rendered the old man an object of respect and -affection to all of them. Their interest was enlisted by the -exceptional fact that an aged and learned pagan priest -had found the Saviour precious to his soul. Then -Ammonius sent forward Arius and bade him relate to the -assembly the story of the shipwreck of Hatasa and -Theckla, and of their desire to become Christians; and the boy -narrated the circumstances so vividly, and with such -unconscious force and eloquence, that they twain also were -welcomed into the hearts of all those Christians, and the -sense of strangeness and restraint that naturally affects -the mind at our first meeting with those whom we have -not seen before was at once dissolved by the influence of -fraternal interest and affection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Am-nem-hat having signified his desire to be baptized -by immersion, they all repaired to the shore of the little -bay, where, with appropriate ceremony, that sacred rite -was administered. But, owing to the debilitated condition -of Hatasa, she and Theckla received the same sacred rite, -after suitable explanations, by having the water sprinkled -upon them at the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Many of those who were present, and especially those -who had come in boats, brought prepared food with them, -and soon this was distributed over clean cloths spread out -under the trees, and all of them did eat together with -gladness, as if it had been one large and loving -family--Arete and old Thopt being diligent to supply from their -own stores everything that was needed or had been forgotten.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then in the afternoon the congregation was again -assembled, and they engaged in singing and prayer. The -presbyter informed the people that a blind boy had come, -with his parents, to ask the prayers of the Church that -God would restore his sight, explaining the reason why -they had not sooner done so, very much as the boy had -stated to Theckla, and saying that they should first -partake of the holy communion, and afterward pray for the -lad's recovery. Then this rite was administered; and all -of them engaged in prayer, the presbyter leading and the -people making occasional responses. And even while they -were so engaged the lad sprang to his feet, and, throwing -his arms about his mother's neck, he cried aloud: "O -mother, I see! I see!--Brethren, thank God for me, for -my sight is perfectly restored!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the presbyter changed the form of his words from -supplication into praise and thanksgiving; and, when he -had finished, many pressed forward to congratulate the -lad upon his miraculous cure; and afterward, when they -went away, he went also, seeing as well as other boys.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then later in the evening, having first agreed upon the -place of their next meeting, the congregation received a -benediction at the mouth of the presbyter and quietly -dispersed. But almost every head of a family first came unto -Am-nem-hat and unto Hatasa and Theckla, and urged -them with great kindness to come unto their homes and -abide with them as long as might be convenient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But, before the presbyter departed, Hatasa requested -that he come unto her, and of him she asked concerning -the baptism for the dead; and having diligently -inquired of her concerning the character and manner of life -of her husband, and having heard her firm declaration of -her belief that he was one who ever sought to do that -which he thought to be just, right, and true, so that if -he had sufficiently learned of Jesus he would have been -a Christian, the presbyter administered to her the baptism -for the dead, from which the poor lady derived a strange -and unmeasurable satisfaction and peace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Hatasa did not recover any strength, and the next -day she was weaker than ever, and the next, and so on -from day to day. She requested them to hold services in -her room every evening, and seemed gladly to engage with -them in prayer. But she said that she had no power to -will or to wish that she might continue to live. She -dreaded the pain and weariness of a lingering convalescence, -and she said that the only earthly care that had -troubled her was concern for her daughter's welfare, and -that she would never separate her from her newly discovered -but precious Christian friendships, and did not wish -her to go among their pagan kindred. She informed -Ammonius that there was much property in Alexandria that -now belonged to Theckla, and asked him what disposition -should be made of it. Ammonius at first said: "Let it -go. Theckla shall lack for nothing; and riches are a -snare to the young." But, upon considering that the -estate would go to the pagan kindred, and never to the -Church, unless the legal right of the girl thereto was -asserted, he sent unto Cyrene for a proper officer, who came -and took the depositions of Hatasa, Arius, Thopt, and -Theckla, as to the shipwreck of Amosis and his family, -and as to the identity and parentage of the maiden, to -be laid before the orphans' court at Alexandria. She also -made a written request that Theckla's relative Am-nem-hat -should be appointed guardian of the maiden's person -and estate, with her friend Ammonius to succeed him if -the aged man should die during Theckla's minority. And, -having accomplished these things in due and proper form, -she began to fail more rapidly, and about midnight sank -peacefully into rest, almost her last request being that she -might be buried in the "sleeping-ground" of the Christians -of that vicinity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, when Theckla saw that she was dead, the wild -sorrow of her heart broke out in almost the very same -words that her mother had used upon the death of -Amosis, and she cried: "No more! no more! Ah, never -more!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Ammonius said unto her, "Come hither, -daughter!" And, when she had come, he laid his hand upon -her head and he asked, "Art thou a Christian?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And she answered, "Yea, I love the Lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he saith: "That is well, my child. But, if thou -art a Christian, use not the vain and despairing lamentation -of the heathen. Thou shouldst not think nor feel -as they do when they cry out in their bitterness, 'No -more.' Thy mother leaveth thee not forever, child. She -hath only gone before thee by a little space at most, and -thou shalt go unto her again. So the Lord whom thou -lovest doth solemnly promise thee, and thou must never -distrust his promise or his love."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I loved my mother! I must weep for her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, daughter, weep as much as thou wilt. That is -but natural and proper. So perhaps thou wouldst weep -if she had gone to Alexandria, leaving thee behind; yet -thou wouldst take comfort in the hope that she would -come to thee again. So now she hath gone to Jesus, and -is safe with him, and thou must take comfort in the hope, -nay, in the very certainty, that, while she returneth not, -perhaps, unto thee, thou shalt soon go unto her. And -thou, being a Christian girl, shalt not vex thy heart with -the hopeless sorrow that the heathen feel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the girl was comforted indeed, and her pleasant -faith aided the buoyancy of health and youth in helping -her to weary down the sorrow that followed the loss of her -young, beautiful, and beloved mother; because the power -of that faith brought the world's Consoler very near, and -Death to her was shorn of his greatest terrors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was agreed among them that Theckla and Am-nem-hat -should reside permanently at the cottage. The old -man and Arius soon brought all of his possessions from the -hermitage, even to his favorite goats; and, some of the -neighbors assisting them, they built another room of stone, -into which the ancient's manuscripts, his furniture, and his -accumulation of coin, were all safely stowed away. And, -all things having been thus satisfactorily arranged, the old -man was conveyed in the boat around to Apollonia, and -thence he took shipping unto Alexandria, where he -produced before the orphans' court the depositions and -other papers committed unto him by Hatasa; and, as -guardian of Theckla, leased the houses which she owned in -the city, and received and brought back to Baucalis with -him some elegant personal effects that had belonged to -Hatasa; her relatives consenting thereto without much -opposition, and stipulating only that, if the girl should -die, they were to be immediately informed of the fact; -and that, if she should live, she was to come to the city as -soon as she became of age. They were all pagans, and -the old priest would have gone almost any length to avoid -placing his young and beautiful Christian ward within the -range of their influence. And, having transacted all things -necessary, in a very few days the old man returned gladly -to Baucalis--a place to which his heart seemed bound by -stronger and more beautiful associations than had ever -come into his long and lonely life elsewhere on earth, not -even excepting Thebes and Ombos, nor his own quiet -hermitage upon the mountain-side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the aged priest at once installed himself as the -tutor of Theckla; and he taught to Arius, also, such -science and literature as then were known unto the wisest -men of Egypt; but some things he continued to learn -from the boy himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so the next four years glided quietly away, during -which the routine of their peaceful lives pursued its usual -course; and in their flight Arius became a tall and graceful -youth of twenty; Theckla grew into a blooming and -exquisitely beautiful woman of sixteen; for in the ardent -Libyan latitudes the girls grow quickly into womanhood. -These years made small changes in Ammonius and Arete; -they told lightly upon the venerable Am-nem-hat, whose -pure and quiet life had been favorable to longevity and to -the preservation of his faculties unimpaired even unto an -extreme old age; and Thopt herself bore the flight of -time quite well, becoming almost imperceptibly more fixed -and rigid in all her actions and opinions, and more and -more impressed with the idea that Christianity was an -excellent and beautiful thing for wise and perfect people -like those among whom her lot was cast, and might even -have suited her if it had not sought to abolish the -relation of mistress and slave between herself and Arete, -"contrary to nature and to common sense," she said; but -that old grudge she could never entirely get over.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="love-and-parting"><span class="large">CHAPTER XV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LOVE AND PARTING.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During these four years a great change had occurred -in the heart and in the person of beautiful young Theckla. -There came a gradually developing fullness and roundness -over her whole form; the sharp, angular lines of childhood -faded away in the softer curves of maturity; a deeper -color bloomed upon her peachy cheeks; a sweeter, more -unfathomable light burned in her dark, soft eyes; the -delicate pink hue under the skin, which in all Egyptians -of the higher classes, whose complexions are untanned by -a hard life and constant exposure, proves the ancient race -of the land of Kem to be consanguineous with the Aryan -rather than with the Nigritian family of man, became -more clearly and deliciously defined; and a sort of -intangible self-consciousness grew up within her heart which -intuitively led her to keep her hands off the boy companion -whom she loved as a brother, and, without understanding -why she did so, she ceased to romp and tumble around -with him as she had been accustomed to do during the -first year of her residence at Baucalis. In place of casting -aside her gown and plunging into the waters of the bay -with him, when she went to bathe, she went alone, or -with Arete. Yet there was not the slightest tendency to -prudishness in this gradual withdrawal of that tactual -familiarity with Arius which had characterized her first -intercourse with him; but, without ever having been talked -to or lectured at on the subject, her chaste, pure soul -instinctively drew from the very spirit of the gospel lessons -fine boundaries of feeling that made her unconsciously -observe even the most delicate bounds of maiden modesty. -But this retiring somewhat within herself--this ceasing -from the outward, demonstrative signs of trust and -affection--was physical only: for the boy and girl grew daily -nearer and dearer to each other; grew daily more trustful -and confidential with each other; and daily became more -and more identified in interest, thought, and feeling. -They talked not of love any more than an affectionate -brother and sister would have done, but the affection that -united them to each other seeped down dew-like to the -very roots of life in both. Ever his care and watchfulness -for her grew more tender and respectful, and ever the smile -with which she acknowledged his constant little attentions -grew more bright and trustful; and, from this basis -of evenly developing physical, intellectual, and spiritual -progress and perfectness in both of them, their souls -leaned unto each other, and mingled in an affection as -chaste, strong, and intimate as human nature knows, -growing together day by day, and attuning themselves to -perfect concord in all the utterances and aspirations of -their beautiful and happy lives--a human love that was -impossible to pagan civilization, and is almost impossible -to ours, but that flourished in its almost divine sweetness -and beauty in the primitive Christian communities, side -by side with thaumaturgy and the graces of that -spiritual life which hath almost become a dream unto the -world rather than a blessed reality.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So those four years passed fleetly and pleasantly away, -and Arius was now a very tall but graceful youth of -twenty, and Theckla was an exquisitely beautiful woman -of sixteen, when Ammonius told his son that the time had -come at which he desired him to go to Antioch in Syria, -and pursue his studies with the Bishop Lucanius, for four -or five years, preparatory to his ordination as a presbyter--if, -indeed, his heart was still set on preferring to be a -teacher and a preacher of the gospel to all other -vocations; whereupon the young man at once answered that no -earthly inducement could lead him to abandon the -ministry, for which he had always considered himself set -apart; and immediately the family began to make -preparations for the young man's departure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the evening before Arius left Baucalis, he and -Theckla wandered along the shores of the little bay, until -they happened to come unto the spot at which she had -been rescued from the raft, and the girl said: "Even there -thou didst bring me unto the shore, Arius. It seemeth to -me to have been ages and ages ago; and yet the time hath -passed so pleasantly!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," said Arius, "yet it is only four years since -then, and, after to-morrow, it may be as long a time -before I see the dear old farm again, or thee. Theckla, wilt -thou forget thy friend and our happy life at Baucalis, and -all the things which made us blessed here so long?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," she said. "Life opens wide before us both, -Arius, as we stand here upon its threshold--wide as the -sea out yonder, and unknown. But Baucalis will always -be the dearest place on earth to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Theckla," said the young man, taking one of the girl's -hands in his, "I love thee truly and tenderly. When I -shall have finished the course of study at Antioch, I desire -to come for thee and claim thee for my wife. Dost thou -love me, Theckla, so that thou couldst be happy as my wife?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the girl laid her head against his shoulder, and, -raising her dewy eyes to his, she said, "If thou so lovest -me, Arius, I would be the happiest woman in the world -to be thy wife."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the young man kissed her tenderly, and said: -"Theckla, let this be a covenant between thee and me -before the Lord, that when I shall have finished the -studies required at Antioch, I will come for thee, and -thou shalt be my wife."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And she answered: "Yea, Arius! Let this be our -covenant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That was all of it--quiet, simple, truthful; based upon -the very highest mutual love, respect, and trust; but no -grand ceremonial that human pride ever imagined, or -human lips pronounced, could have any more thoroughly -bound and consecrated them unto each other for life and -death than did that simple, heart-felt covenant. For in -those days, and in the Christian communities, marriage -was not of compulsion, or of trade, convenience, ambition, -but of free, intelligent choice; and among those people -the equally shameful blasphemies of adultery and divorce -were utterly unknown.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, upon the next morning, after a tender leave-taking -all around, in which even old Thopt commended him to -the guardianship of God, Arius, accompanied by his father, -loaded his boxes into their little boat, and they made their -way unto Apollonia, at which port they took shipping for -Alexandria, whence immediately they went in another ship -unto the sea-port for Antioch, and thence to the ancient -city wherein they "were first called Christians."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ammonius recalled to the mind of the Bishop Lucanius -the fearful storm in which they two had met more -than twenty years before, which interview had been the -medium of the Lord's mercy unto him; and was most -gladly and affectionately welcomed. Ammonius informed -the bishop that, having been precluded from the public -ministrations of the word by his own physical infirmities, -he had made a vow to dedicate the first son that might be -born unto him to the service of God, and had, therefore, -brought unto him his only child, a lad not altogether -ignorant of the gospel nor of letters, whose heart was set -upon doing the Lord's work, to profit by his experience -and instructions. And the lad pleased the bishop greatly; -and, after some conversation, Arius was admitted into the -school, or class of young men whom the bishop taught, as -a deacon in the church immediately under the charge of -Lucanius; for the bishops of those days were not lords or -princes, but were presbyters, who had their own congregations, -and who, from zeal and learning, age and experience, -were intrusted also with an advisory superintendence of -some other presbyters and churches, and especially with -the training of young deacons for the ministry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the next day Ammonius resumed his homeward -journey, and in due time reached Baucalis without -accident or delay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the very same evening that Arius and Theckla had -plighted their troth unto each other, the young man took -the girl by the hand, and, having led her unto his parents, -told them of the new relationship established between -them, and Ammonius and Arete gladly accepted the -maiden Theckla as their daughter; and she abode with -them for two years longer, constantly aiding in all -household duties, and likewise pursuing such studies as -Am-nem-hat advised; and especially practicing the art of -writing upon papyrus, and upon parchment, and upon -vellum, until she had satisfied herself that vellum was -altogether the best material for a certain purpose which -she had in view, and that her own handwriting had -acquired sufficient precision and neatness for her -contemplated task; and then she announced her purpose of -removing to the city of Alexandria, and occupying one of -her own houses there, if only Am-nem-hat would go with -her and make his home at her abode. This purpose she -mentioned to the whole family one evening after their -usual religious services, whereupon Arete said: "Why -wouldst thou leave us, daughter? Art thou not happy at -Baucalis?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," replied Theckla. "Thy home hath been a -haven of rest and happiness to me, and I could be happier -here than elsewhere in the world; but in two years more -our Arius, of whom the bishop writeth such loving things, -will be a presbyter; and I go hence unto Alexandria -because, before the time expires, I wish to make with mine -own hand a perfect copy of the scriptures for our young -presbyter, and also wish to build a church for him, that -when he leaveth the bishop he may have a church and a -congregation, and a perfect copy of the sacred word ready -for him; and thou knowest that at Alexandria I may even -find original manuscripts of both gospels and epistles from -which to transcribe my copy. What less than this, indeed, -wouldst thou have me do for our most dear young presbyter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they all, seeing that she had made a matter of -conscience of these two purposes, ceased to oppose her -design; and not long afterward she and Am-nem-hat were -taken in their little boat unto Apollonia, by Ammonius; -and thence they went by ship to Alexandria; and, after a -speedy and pleasant voyage, they cast anchor in the little -harbor of Eunostos; and thence removed straightway -unto one of the nine dwellings which she owned in Rhacotis, -the Egyptian quarter of the city. Here, with the aid -of six years' accumulated rents from her handsome estate, -the young girl quickly furnished her home in the most -comfortable manner, and had a room carefully furnished -for Am-nem-hat, and another in which the manuscripts -were to be kept, and in which they might prosecute their -studies; for the aged grand-uncle and the young maiden -had almost come to sustain to each other the relation of -dear companions and fellow-students rather than that of -teacher and pupil. Very soon, also, with the aid of the -old man, who possessed a critical knowledge of such -matters, she procured a large quantity of the finest vellum, -and began her self-appointed task of transcribing the -scriptures for Arius. And afterward she sold (through her -guardian) five of the nine houses which she owned, for a -large sum, and having carefully selected a plot of ground -suitable for the purpose, she bought it, taking the title -thereto in the name of certain persons whom she knew to -be Christians, upon a secret trust for the common Church, -and after many consultations with Am-nem-hat, and with -the bishop and with other friends, she began the work of -building a beautiful and substantial church; and, with the -making of her careful and accurate copies of the -scriptures and the building of the church, both she and -Am-nem-hat found themselves constantly employed. For, -although at that time there was no open and public persecution -of the Christians, it had not long ceased, and none -knew at what moment the caprice of their pagan rulers, -stimulated by the hatred of Jewish and pagan priests, -might blaze out into a general and merciless war against -them; so that their meetings were quietly held, and the -erection of churches was carried on without show or -publicity; and generally, indeed, parts of the buildings were -used as a school for the children of Christians; and many -a church was saved from destruction by the fitful and -uncertain hate of the populace and priests, by being taken for -a school rather than a church. And there were few who -desired to be known as Christians, except to persons of like -faith, though none hesitated to declare this faith at any -peril, when called in question about it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The city of Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander -the Great, about 322 B.C., was, at the date of our -story, one of the most populous, wealthy, and intellectual -cities in the world. Situated twelve miles west of the -Canopic mouth of the Nile, its walls were washed on the -south by the placid waters of Lake Mareotis, and on the -north by the Mediterranean Sea; and it was the seat and -center of a vast industry and an almost unequaled -commerce. The streets were straight and parallel, and the -city was divided into four quarters by two magnificent -highways, each two hundred feet wide, crossing each other -at right angles, and built up on each side with splendid -houses, temples, and public buildings of every kind. A -vast necropolis lay west of the city, on the east a mighty -hippodrome. In the northeastern part was the Regis -Judæorum, or Jewish quarter, wherein the Israelites abode, -but their business extended not only through the great -city, but throughout the world. The western part was -called Rhacotis, the Egyptian quarter, and contained, -besides its vast Libyan population and magnificent -residences, the great temple of Serapis, and the sacred statue -of the god that had been brought thither out of Pontus. -But Bruchium, the royal or Greek quarter, was the most -splendid portion of the city, containing the palace of the -Ptolemies, on Lochias, a peninsula stretching eastwardly, -the library and museum, the Cæsarium, or temple of the -Cæsars, and the Dicasterium, or court of justice, and other -buildings that bore witness to the knowledge of Dinocrates -the architect, who rebuilt the temple of Diana at Ephesus. -About a mile from the mainland was the little island -of Pharos, on which was a light-house over four hundred -feet in height, that was begun by Ptolemy Soter, 300 B.C., -and finished by Philadelphus, his successor. An artificial -mole called Hepta Stadium, nearly a mile in length, -connected the island with the mainland, and between this mole -and Lochias was the great harbor, while on the other side -of it was a smaller harbor, called Eunostos (safe return), in -which was an artificial basin known as Kibotos (the chest), -which was filled from and connected with Lake Mareotis -by a canal, another arm of which stretched eastward to the -mouth of the Nile. Throughout this vast metropolis, in -every quarter thereof, undistinguished by dress, -nationality, language, or manners, of almost every race under -heaven, engaged in every avocation except official business -or military services, unknown except to their co-religionists, -dwelt the countless members of the Christian Church, -forming numerous communities, or congregations, that, -without any public visible organization, were yet bound -together by bonds of faith and love stronger than any -Roman statutes, or any ties of nature, or any ligaments of -interest or of ambition. Of course, in so vast a population, -an aged man and a young girl would be as indistinguishable -to all, except their own small circle of friends -and acquaintances, as any particular leaf in the forest, or as -any wave at sea; and in such a city, the selfishness of the -crowd, the hurry and confusion of business or of pleasure, -formed a sort of refuge for the Christians; so that, long -before the period of which we write, almost the first -circumstance which called any public attention to their -numbers was the fact that, under their influence, the -pagan temples were less crowded, and the pagan offerings -less rich and free, than had been usual in times past; and, -when the fated Israelites had been accused of proselyting -the people from the worship of the gods, they defended -themselves against the angry priests by declaring that not -they, but the Christians, converted men of all nations from -the old superstitions, and led them to abandon the temples -and forsake the gods.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon after their settlement in Alexandria, Am-nem-hat -had informed the relatives of Theckla of the young girl's -arrival, and they had courteously called to see her, and had -invited her to their own homes, and had showed every -disposition to receive the beautiful young heiress with -favor and affection. But they were all heathens, and her -association with them was necessarily limited to formal and -distant intercourse; as every visit to the great temple of -Serapis, every public occasion, or a birth, a marriage, or -a funeral among them, might force her either to -countenance their pagan rites and ceremonies, or to attract -unto herself an unpleasant and perhaps dangerous -attention by refusing to do so. Hence she preferred to -maintain only a ceremonious acquaintance with her kindred, -and to find her real friendships among the Christians, with -many of whom she soon came to be upon terms of social -and personal intimacy and confidence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Among the relatives whom she was almost compelled -occasionally to meet, and to receive at her own house, was -her cousin Harroun, the son of her mother's sister, who -also was a pagan. The young man was of perfect physical -organization, like so many of the Egyptian upper class, as -beautiful as an untamed leopard, of quick, bright, sparkling -intelligence, instinct with passion and appetite, and a -general favorite among the aristocratic youth of Egyptian -society in the city. One of Theckla's greatest misfortunes -and annoyances she found in the fact that this elegant -youth conceived a violent passion for her at first sight, and -seemed resolved to push his claims to the heart and hand -of the young maiden without delay. As soon, however, as -Theckla perceived any intimation of his feelings in regard -to herself, she quietly arranged to receive him thereafter -only in the library, and took care to see that Grand-uncle -Am-nem-hat should be present, so that the young man -never got an opportunity to see her alone. And to -prevent the constant repetition of his invitations to her to -visit the theatre, the hippodrome, and other places of -amusement, she told him kindly that it was useless to -offer such courtesies, for, that while it was unpleasant to -refuse them, she could not and would not accept them -from him nor from any one else, having no inclination to -mingle in such throngs, and no need of any amusements -except those which she was accustomed to find in literary -pursuits. Harroun, who had been raised under a system -in which courtship and marriage were, to a large extent, -matters of convenience, and in which a chaste girl was -not supposed to be possessed of any will, but was to be -disposed of as her relations might deem to be proper and -advantageous, thought that he had never seen so shy a -maiden; but, in spite of her seeming unconsciousness and -manifest indifference, he ceased not to visit her, claiming -the privilege of a near relation in that particular, and -ceased not to show his admiration for her by looks which -were almost loathsome to her pure young soul. For the -youth, like every other pagan, was mostly a brute, a very -beautiful and elegant animal, truly, but not the less an -animal; a very intellectual and gifted brute, but not the -less brutal; and his sensuous admiration was offensive to -the girl. The lofty and pure affection to which she and -Arius gave the name of love would have been utterly -incomprehensible to him as to every heathen. That to -which they gave the name of love sprang as directly out of -sensuous admiration and preference as does the passion -of the lower animals; and while she did not comprehend -why his advances were so repulsive to herself, she began to -feel his preference as a sort of persecution, and avoided -him as much as possible. Yet, as far as a pagan is capable -of love at all, he loved her, and the very fact that he found -her favor hard to win rendered successful pursuit of her -all the more desirable. To him it seemed a strange and -unprecedented thing that a girl so young, so beautiful, -and so wealthy, should voluntarily renounce all the social -advantages of the aristocratic circle in which her family -moved, and spend her time in seemingly unending studies, -with little or no companionship save that of the grave and -taciturn old man who was never absent from the room -while he was there; and Harroun gradually learned to -regard his unfailing presence in the light of a personal -injury to himself, so that he soon harbored a bitter prejudice -against the ancient, that lacked very little of growing -into actual hatred. But there was nothing tangible about -which to make a quarrel, except the fact that he could -never see Theckla alone, and, as this seemed to be her -own choice, exercised in her own house, there was nothing -for him to do except to submit to it; but his aversion to -the quiet and dignified old man increased in intensity from -month to month. Finally, he told her in Am-nem-hat's -presence that he had been called away by the public service -in which he was engaged, beyond the cataracts of the Nile, -and would be absent for several months; and that he -desired to have some private conversation with her before -he departed from Alexandria. The young girl looked -somewhat disconcerted by this request, but she -immediately arose, and said unto him, "Let us pass into the -adjoining room, cousin, and I will hear thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He followed her gladly, and no sooner had the door -closed behind them than he came close up to her and -began a most vehement protestation of his love. As soon -as there was the slightest pause in the passionate and -rapid torrent of his speech, she said, gravely and calmly: -"Cousin, hear me for a moment. I have carefully avoided -any such declaration as thou hast begun to make, and -beseech thee to leave it unspoken. It is useless to say -such things to me, and can only occasion mutual and -unavailing regrets. Thou art my cousin, and, I trust, -my friend. There never can be anything else between -us, and it is folly to think otherwise. Here let it rest, -and let us return to the library, and forget this foolish -episode."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no folly about it!" cried the young man, -passionately. "We are both young and wealthy, and in -every way suitable companions. It is very natural and -right. I am neither an idiot nor a child, and I love thee, -Theckla, and will not be put aside in any such fashion. -Why dost thou continually avoid me? Why hast thou for -months contrived so that I can not speak to thee except -in the presence of strangers, or of that old mummy whom -thou keepest at thy side forever? Why dost thou deny -thyself all the pleasures and associations natural to thine -age and social rank? Why spendest thou all thy time in -dreary readings, unsuited to thy youth and circumstances, -for the amusement of that selfish old fossil there, who -never leaveth thee for a day nor an hour? All this -must and shall be changed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the girl drew herself up straight, and, fixing her -dark eyes full upon him, said in calm and measured tones, -"If I give thee a good reason for having avoided thee, -and for having endeavored to escape any such useless -and unpleasant conversation as this one, will that suffice -thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea! if, indeed, the reason be a good one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The reason, then, is this," she answered: "I do not -love thee; I do not desire thy love; strange and incredible -as it may seem to thee, I do not even admire thee in -any way whatever, and thy profession of affection is -irksome to me, and the more irksome the more thou dost -insist upon my hearing thereof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But thou wilt learn to love me, Theckla," he cried -out vehemently, "and thou shalt give me some reasonable -opportunity to win thy regard! Ah, I understand it -perfectly. It is the fault of that old grand-uncle, who ought -to have been 'the Osiris Justified' half a century ago. -He hath prejudiced thy heart against me, because he -desireth thee to consume thy youth and brightness in -ministering unto his desolate and selfish old age. But I swear -by all the gods that, as soon as I return home, I will have -thy nearer kindred take thee away from him, so that thou -shalt take thy proper place among the maidens of thine -own age and rank, and learn some more reasonable way -of life, and some better views of duty and of happiness -than his selfish and exacting age can teach thee! I -see that thou art now blinded by this old man's -influence, and resolved against the course of reason and -of nature; so for the present, fare thee well, Theckla, -but remember that I love thee, and that thou shalt yet -be mine own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the young man, trembling with rage and disappointment, -fled from the house, and for many months the -young girl saw no more of him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile, the building of the church was quietly but -diligently prosecuted; and, with the most elaborate and -conscientious patience, Theckla labored to make an -accurate copy of the scriptures, and, through the bishop -and other Christian friends, she obtained the use of more -than one original epistle from which to transcribe the text. -Some months before the date arrived at which Arius was -to be ordained, the diligent young girl had the satisfaction -of witnessing the completion of the edifice, a splendid and -substantial structure, which the bishop dedicated to God -by the name of "Baucalis," given unto it at Theckla's -request; and a number of Christians who had learned all -about the young girl's history, and why and for whom -the church had been builded, organized themselves into a -community, and customarily held service of singing and -prayer therein. And they prepared also a letter, signed by -all of them, in which they informed Arius that they had -agreed in requesting him to come and be their presbyter, -as soon as he might be ordained; and that, although they -knew him not in the flesh, they were ready to receive him -with open hearts, first for Theckla's sake, and afterward, -they hoped and believed, even for his own. About the -same time, also, the young girl completed the copy of the -sacred writings which she had made for Arius; and this -labor of love, and of care and patience, included the Old -Testament, the New Testament, the Pastor of Hennas, -and the Epistles of Clement to the Corinthians, together -with some letters written by Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, -all copied in the uncial Greek text, with minutest care -and accuracy. And she had a box made of cedar of -Lebanon, with silver hinges and fastenings, to contain the -precious parchments, and a silver plate thereon, upon -which was engraved the name "Arius"; and, having -finished both the church and the writings, she prepared a -letter unto him, and put her letter, and that which the -Church had written unto him, and the scriptures, into the -cedar box, and laid them away safely, awaiting an -opportunity to send them to him against the time of his -ordination, for the Christians of those days sent no letters or -parcels which might show that they were Christians, -except by the hands of those whom they knew to be of the -same faith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And this was Theckla's letter to Arius:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"DEARLY BELOVED: Seeing that thou hast devoted -thy life unto the service of our blessed Lord, I did -meditate much how I also might be able to accomplish some -good in his holy name, and likewise gratify thee. I have -accordingly, during the past two years, caused to be -builded here a beautiful church, which hath recently been -dedicated by the name of 'Baucalis,' in memory of our -dear old home; and thou wilt learn, from the letter sent -herewith, that our little community desireth thee to be -our presbyter. Also, as a token of the great love -wherewith thy Theckla loveth thee, she hath written with her -own hand a most careful copy of the sacred scriptures, -and of some other manuscripts which thou esteemest -highly, and sendeth the same unto thee, with the love -of thy THECKLA."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>And a short time before the days set for the ordination -of Arius, and of other young men who were deacons studying -with the bishop at Antioch, the Bishop of Alexandria -went unto the ancient city to be present upon that -occasion, and by him Theckla sent unto Arius the box -containing the scriptures and letters; and, having so done, -the young girl waited the coming of the youthful -presbyter, with her heart full of love, and peace, and -happiness.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="before-the-temple-of-serapis"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">BEFORE THE TEMPLE OF SERAPIS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>And while Theckla thus awaited, with gladdest anticipations -and almost trembling joy, for the consummation -of her own happiness, Harroun returned to Alexandria, -and immediately began manoeuvring to have the young -girl taken to the house of his mother, or to some other -relative, where she would be thrown into association with -those of her own age and rank, and removed beyond the -influence of old Am-nem-hat. And immediately -thereafter his mother came unto Theckla, and urged her, by -every argument and inducement which she deemed most -suitable to influence a young and beautiful girl, to -abandon the strange seclusion in which she had lived so long, -and come to her home, and take her proper place among -the best and gayest young people of the city--a society to -which she belonged by birth, and which she was so well -fitted to adorn. Theckla kindly but persistently refused -every such invitation, pleading her orphaned condition, -her love of solitude and literature, and her strong aversion -to the gay and beautiful but voluptuous life led by the -golden youth of Alexandria.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But Theckla, darling," said her aunt, "if thou dost -not at least occasionally repair to the great temple of -Serapis, where all the youth and fashion of the city are -often seen, the world will learn to regard thee as an -atheist; and I assure thee, dear, that there is hardly -anything more injurious to a young girl's prospects than a -reputation for singularity or eccentricity in any respect. -The world takes it for granted that there must be -something radically wrong about every young girl that is in -any respect different from others of her own age and rank, -or that affects to feel, and think, and act differently from -them. Thou must ever sacrifice thine own inclinations to -conform thyself to that which is considered the proper -thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, aunt," said Theckla, laughing, "thy talk of -what 'the world' will say and do amuses and amazes me. -Not one out of ten thousand of the people of Alexandria -knoweth or careth for me. 'The world,' it seems to me, -is thyself, and Cousin Harroun, and, perhaps, not a half -score besides my relatives; and, while I meddle not with -their pursuits, it seemeth to me that it would be easy -enough for them to avoid distressing themselves on my -account."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But thy manner of life exciteth unfavorable comment. -Thou dost refuse to go into society, and scornest -all the amusements, pleasures, and pursuits proper to thine -age, and family, and wealth. Believe me, dear Theckla, -that no young girl can affect such eccentricities without -being visited by the condemnation of society. Thou must -leave this ascetic and unnatural life, and live conformably -to nature and to custom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose," said Theckla, laughing again, "that -'society,' like 'the world,' signifieth that very small and -exclusive circle of rich and aristocratic people to which my -noble kindred belong. But surely I can determine what -manner of life suiteth mine own feelings, inclinations, and -desires as well as any of them might do. And concerning -these matters, I will even judge for myself, not seeking in -any way to influence their actions or opinions, but abiding -steadfastly by mine own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Horrible! O Hes!" cried her aunt. "To think that -mine own niece, my sister's child, at the age of eighteen, -should be unmaidenly enough to hold any inclinations, -desires, or opinions except those which are framed for her -by the custom of the class to which she belongeth! Why, -Theckla, a young girl hath no more business to entertain -or handle such things as 'opinions' than she has to -handle sword or spear. It is bold, vicious, unmaidenly! -Never--never--never utter such an atrocious and -barbarous sentiment again! If I did not know thee to be -chaste, and pure, and maidenly, such abominable utterances -would make me fear that thou art on the road to ruin!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am aware," said Theckla, "that the Egyptians -regard all females, young girls especially, as things; but I -consider myself as a person, not as a thing at all. Nature -hath granted unto me certain rights, privileges, powers of -mind and body, and hath devolved upon me certain duties -and responsibilities. Thou seest, therefore, that I am -unfitted for association with young ladies who are merely -things, not persons. Thou seest that such an association -might be dangerous to them; and might interfere with -their 'prospects' by rendering them averse to being reared -up, to be selected by some 'eligible' youth, or by some -rich and influential old man, as a horse or a dog is selected, -and then disposed of as any other domestic animal is -provided for. And thou must assuredly perceive that it -would be most unwise of thee to expose these pretty, -proper, feminine 'things' to the dangerous influences of -an association with a girl who hath the hardihood to -believe that she is a person, and the boldness to declare that -she hath 'opinions,' convictions of duty and of right -which she will not sacrifice even to the terrible fear of -'the world' nor of 'society.' It is best, therefore, even -to suffer me to live as I desire to do, neither interfering -with my relatives in their way of life, nor suffering them -to prescribe my own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The good lady's fastidious notions of "propriety" -were fearfully shocked by the young girl's independent -character and utterances; and she determined in her own -heart to do whatever she could to prevent her son from -continuing his pursuit of a girl whose alliance with him -would have been so advantageous in every way if she had -not been spoiled by such absurd and dangerous opinions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the young man Harroun had his opinions also, -one of which was that he was almost irresistible; and -another, that the "opinions" of any young girl were merely -moral or social megrims, which any man of common -sense and passable appearance ought to know how to cure -or alleviate; and he, therefore, did not admit the -possibility of giving up Theckla voluntarily, or of being -ultimately rejected by her, although he dreaded Am-nem-hat's -influence over her, and began to hate the old man with -great intensity; for he supposed that the declaration of -personal independence on the part of Theckla, whereby -his mother had been shocked, and even frightened, was -simply the repetition of sentiments inculcated by the -learned and ancient man, the force and effect of which -Theckla did not even comprehend. He dreamed not that -these very principles of thought and of action might be -the legitimate outgrowth of a new religion which had, -with undying energy and power, laid hold upon the very -roots of her whole nature, so that no change therein was -henceforth at all possible, except in the direction of larger -life and development. Accordingly, notwithstanding his -mother's unfavorable report, both upon his own -prospects of successful courtship, and also upon the bold, -self-centered, fearless character of the maiden herself, he -resolved to visit her as usual, and to prosecute his suit -with diligence. He called immediately upon her, and -finding that neither Theckla nor Am-nem-hat was at -home, with the freedom allowed by his kinship to the -maiden, he passed on into the library, intending to tarry -there until her return. While he lingered there -impatiently, his eye caught sight of a roll of parchment -which had been thoughtlessly left lying in the great -armchair usually occupied by Am-nem-hat, and, to amuse -himself until Theckla's return, he picked up the book and -glanced at the title thereof. That title was, "The Gospel -of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, written by His -Servant John."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Harroun started visibly as he read the words; and then -a baleful light came into his beautiful dark eyes, and a -sinister smile, that made his handsome face look malevolent -and cruel, passed over his bright young face. He knew -that it was a very grave offense against the law to read or -to possess such books, yet, impelled by curiosity, he read -a page or two thereof, beginning with the words: "In the -beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and -the Logos was God"; and ending with the words, "And -I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God"; but, -remembering that he was violating the law by reading this -writing, he turned it over in his hand, and upon the back -thereof read this inscription: "Am-nem-hat of Ombos."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So! so!" murmured the young man. "The old -and meddlesome idiot hath fallen into the accursed and -criminal superstition of the Christians! and from his -manner of life is, perhaps, one of the Therapeutæ, as they -style their most crazy ascetics, who seldom appear in the -cities, or leave the deserts and the mountains. The book -itself, as far as I have read, seemeth to have been -borrowed from the Neo-Platonists, and is harmless enough, -surely. But it is a crime to own or read any magical -book of the Christians, and this book is Am-nem-hat's! -I think I see a way to rid myself of the pestilent old -dotard! Ah! a Christian! A renegade high-priest of -Ombos! Manifestly a corrupter of youth! Perhaps sent -hither by his accursed associates to seduce the wealthy -orphan into the same illegal and abominable association -and plunder her of her property. I think I see my way -clear before me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man carefully concealed the manuscript in -his clothing, and, leaving word that he had called to see -his cousin, but could not longer await her coming, he -went straightway from the house unto the temple of -Serapis, and requested an interview with the high-priest. And -having been introduced into the audience-chamber of the -high-priest, whom he greeted with the profoundest -obeisance, as if addressing some superior being, he saith unto -him, "I desire to know of thee whether the laws now -allow the profession of the iniquitous and atheistic -Christian faith in this city, or in any part of Egypt?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the high-priest answered: "No. The law is still -in force which requires the destruction of their magical -books, and of their churches, and the punishment of all -who refuse to sacrifice unto the gods. But our magistrates -and people have become careless and indifferent to these -wise and salutary laws which are for the good of religion, -and for the preservation of the government, so that the -law is not enforced, and even here in Alexandria this -illegal and criminal association possess houses in which they -secretly celebrate their infamous rites and ceremonies."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Canst not thou cause the law to be enforced if an -extreme case of such crime should be brought to thy notice?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Recently a better feeling hath been manifested in -many localities," replied the high-priest. "Tyrannis, -bishop of a church in Tyre, Zenobius, of Sidon, Silvanus, at -Emisa, have but lately paid with their lives for the crime -of Christianity, having been cast unto the wild beasts, -and so destroyed. Another Silvanus, bishop of the -churches about Gaza, and thirty-nine others with him, -have been beheaded. Even here in Egypt, Peleus and -Nilus have been committed to the flames, and Pamphilus -at Cæsarea. Thou canst remember that even in Alexandria, -Peter the bishop, and Faustus, Dius, and Ammonius, -have been put to death, and in other parts of Egypt, -Phileus, Pochumius, Hesychius, and Theodorus, have been -in various ways destroyed. But a false sentiment of -humanity protects these criminals; for it hath become a -common saying in the city that the superstition is a -harmless one, and that the Christians are the most honest, -faithful, and diligent servants, tradesmen, mechanics, and -agents, that one can employ; and those who cherish this -fatal leniency for the accursed sect, themselves neglect the -temple services, and gradually drift off into atheism. So -that there is a great indifference on the subject of -enforcing the law against these criminals; yet I doubt not that, -if an extreme case should occur, the people might be -easily roused up to seize the malefactors, and the magistrates -would hardly dare to resist any forcible expression -of the popular will. Of what case dost thou speak as an -'extreme' one?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Harroun: "There is a man in the city who -hath embraced this accursed superstition, and who owneth -and readeth the books of the sect contrary to the law. -He was for many years a priest of our religion, and was -even a high-priest at Ombos. He hath by some sort of -necromancy, perhaps by means of his magical books, -infatuated and attached unto himself a young Egyptian -maiden, an orphan girl, belonging to our own ancient and -honorable family, mine own cousin, and he keepeth her -shut up in her own house, separated from her kindred, -and deprived of all the pleasures and advantages that -naturally belong to a noble and wealthy maid of Alexandria. -Some years ago he procured himself to be appointed her -guardian, and he hath sold five houses that belonged to -her, and hath given no account thereof, except to produce -the young girl's receipt therefor, in which she saith the -sale was made at her request, that she had received the -price thereof from him, and had used the same for pious -purposes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did not her relatives interfere to prevent the -alienation of her estate?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Her father was shipwrecked and lost, and we supposed -that the 'pious purposes' signified the use of the -money to build his sarcophagus and propitiate the gods, -with which, of course, no one would interfere; but this, I -lately discover, hath never been done, and we suppose that -the man of whom I speak hath persuaded her to use the -money for the purpose of building some temple or burial-place -for the use of the abominable Christian association."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is this man?" said the high-priest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His name is Am-nem-hat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Am-nem-hat!" said the high-priest, in amazement, -"I know of the man: he was high-priest at Ombos, -and, after a long life devoted to the service of the gods, -he left his temple secretly to become an eremite--a -great, and learned, and pious man! Surely there must -be some mistake!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no mistake about what I have told you," -said Harroun, "for he left the temple to become a -Christian, and, from his manner of life, I think is one -of the fearful sect called Therapeutæ."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou any proof that he hath become a Christian?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The youth drew forth from his clothing the Gospel -written by John, saying: "Here is one of the magical -books of the Christians which no reasonable man -understandeth. I found this in Am-nem-hat's own chair, in -his room, and on the back thereof is the indorsement, -'Am-nem-hat of Ombos.' He will not deny that he is a -Christian if charged with that crime. For they never -deny it when they are guilty thereof."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is an extreme case," said the high-priest. -"Besides the corruption of youth and the plundering of -this young girl of which thou speakest, it is an -enormous sacrilege for a priest to abandon his religion, but -infinitely worse when he leaveth religion and adopteth -the accursed and inhuman Christian superstition. Leave -that book with me and go thy way, but fail not to point -out the house when the proper time shall come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man took out his purse, and placed a -liberal sum upon the table, saying: "This is for proper -prayers and offerings for thy success; but remember that -the deluded young girl, my cousin Theckla, must not be -in any way molested."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly," answered the high-priest, "her near -kinship to thine own ancient, honorable, and devout -family will be her protection, and I promise thee to reclaim -her from the delusion which the witchcraft of this -renegade priest hath brought upon her. As for this man -who hath so dishonored the ancient religion of the land -of Kem, and who might by reason of his former lofty -character seduce much people from allegiance to the -gods, this man shall surely die."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then for a few days there was a great running to -and fro among the pagan priests throughout the city, -and especially among those who were connected with the -great temple of Serapis. Great processions were had, at -different places, in honor of various gods, the people -were vehemently exhorted to greater diligence in their -worship, and the Christians were vehemently denounced, -so that there was an uproar throughout Rhacotis, and -crowds of people rioting through the streets, accompanied -by squads of soldiers, and seeking for the dwellings of -those who were suspected of being Christians. And, in -the language of the historian of those times: "A certain -prophet and poet, inauspicious to the city, whoever he -was, excited the mass of the heathen against us, stirring -them up to their native superstition. Stimulated by -him, and taking full liberty of exercising any kind of -wickedness, they considered this the only piety and the -worship of their demons--viz., to slay us. First, then, -seizing a certain aged man named Mitra, they called -upon him to utter impious expressions, and, as he did -not obey, they beat his body with clubs, and pricked his -face and eyes; after which they led him away to the -suburbs, where they stoned him. Next they led a woman -called Quinta, who was a believer, to the temple of an -idol, and attempted to force her to worship; but, when -she turned away in disgust, they tied her by the feet and -dragged her through the whole city, and over the rough -stones of the paved streets, dashing her against the -millstones, and scourging her at the same time, until they -brought her to the same place, when they stoned her. -Then, with one accord, they all rushed upon the houses -of the pious, and whomsoever of their neighbors they -knew, they drove thither in all haste, and despoiled and -plundered them, setting apart the more valuable articles -for themselves, but the more common and wooden furniture -threw about and burned in the roads, presenting a -sight like a city taken by the enemy. But the brethren -retired and gave way, and, like those to whom Paul bears -witness, they also regarded the plunder of their goods -with joy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, on the third evening of this rioting against the -Christians, a crowd of people, with soldiers, assembled -about the vast temple of Serapis, and the high-priest -harangued them against the Christians, and especially -against Am-nem-hat, whom he called the renegade of -Ombos, a seducer of youth, and a plunderer of orphans; -and, the house having been pointed out unto them, -the mob surged thitherward, yelling and shouting, and -calling upon their idols for vengeance against the -Christians, and chiefly against Am-nem-hat, the renegade of -Ombos. And they struck with violence upon the door, -insomuch that the domestics were frightened, and the -old man himself opened the door and said unto them, -"What seek ye?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they yelled out: "We seek Am-nem-hat, the -traitor to the gods! Am-nem-hat, the renegade high-priest -of Ombos!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, as soon as their clamor somewhat ceased, he said, -"I am Am-nem-hat of Ombos."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when they saw the man's great age, and his calm -and dignified deportment, they were somewhat abashed, -and they cried out, "It is reported that thou hast -forsaken the ancient gods of the Nile, and that thou hast -fallen away into the atheism of the Christians."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the old man stood up straight and glorious -before them, and he said: "Children, for fifty years I was -in the great temple of Thebes, and was long time a priest. -Twenty-and-five years I was high-priest at Ombos, always -seeking for the truth. Then I discovered that the -Christians alone know and worship the one true God, and I am -with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, a Christian! -Children, seek ye the same divine truth; the same glorious -forgiveness, faith and light; the same redeeming love."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he would truly have borne further testimony for -Jesus, but from the outskirts of the crowd the high-priest -shouted: "Away with this blasphemer! To the stake -with the old renegade!" And the mob echoed the cry, -shouting out vehemently: "Away with the atheist! To -the stake with the ancient traitor!" And one of them -standing near knocked down the old man with his pike; -and, as many of them sprang forward to seize him, Theckla -darted out of the door to his side, and with blazing -eyes and extended hands she cried: "O cowards! brutes! -The disgrace of Egypt, to strike down an old man like -that! Stand back!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the men seemed abashed at the words and manner of -the beautiful young girl, and stood irresolute until the -high-priest called out, "Perhaps thou, also, art a Christian?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And she said: "Yea! thank God, I am!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then all the more they shouted: "To the stake with -the old atheist! The corrupter of our youth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they forcibly pushed the maiden aside, and -they lifted up Am-nem-hat, and set him upon his feet, -and the soldiers haled him away to the vacant space -in front of the great temple of Serapis, where were set -up iron columns to which the wealthy visitors thereto -were wont to hitch the horses that drew their chariots. -And they chained the old man fast to one of these, -and soon they built a great pyre round him out of the -furniture of which they plundered Theckla's house, and -other houses of Christians on that street. And they did -set fire unto the pile, and by the first flames thereof -Theckla beheld the calm and shining face of the beloved -ancient gazing peacefully upon the mob. Then they -lighted it in other places, and the girl went near to the -edge of the fire, and she cried aloud: "Be thou of good -cheer, O father Am-nem-hat! Thy Lord and Saviour -Jesus Christ be with thee now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, daughter Theckla," answered the old man. -"But go thou hence! The Lord is all-sufficient unto me! -Go thou in peace!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Theckla fell upon her knees before them all and -prayed aloud, saying: "O Jesus, Son of God, have mercy -upon him! Comfort, sustain, and strengthen him, and -receive him into glory!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, while she prayed, the fire grew fiercer, and spread -all over the dry, combustible furniture of which the pyre -was build ed. And, while she was praying, a strong -centurion came unto her, bearing some incense in his hand, -and he said: "Thou invokest the accursed Galilean for -him, and seekest by thy strong magic to harden him -against the flame! Take thou of this incense, girl, and -cast it into the fire to Jupiter, cursing the malefactor -Christ, or thou shalt quickly follow the old renegade!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then she only prayed the more; and the man called -another to him, and they seized the young girl, and, -swinging her back and forth between them, so cast her -through the circle of fire unto Am-nem-hat. And she -arose and stood up beside him, and threw her arms about -the old man's neck, and did kiss him lovingly, and leaned -her head upon the old man's breast, and smiled upon -him radiantly. And the idolaters being the more enraged, -because they twain seemed to scorn the flames, piled yet -other furniture and wood against them, until the greatness -thereof hid them from view; and with a last farewell, -commending themselves and Arius unto God, they breathed -the cruel flames, and so died. But the pagans continued -to pile on fuel until they were utterly consumed; and the -high-priest, coming near, cast into the flame the -manuscript of the Gospel of John, saying, "The law requireth -all books of the Christians to be burned"; and the crowd -pillaged the house, and found yet other sacred writings, -which they brought and cast into the flames; and there -were destroyed the original Epistles of John, which -Theckla had copied for Arius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now when the centurion and the soldier seized upon -Theckla to cast her into the fire, a young man ran -forward from the outskirts of the crowd, shouting in terror -and in agony, "Not her! centurion, not her!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the act was sudden, and before he could reach -them, and before they heard his cries, it was done, and -the girl was leaning on the breast of Am-nem-hat. And -the youth fainted, and, with a wail of anguish, fell -heavily upon his face along the ground. And the high-priest, -seeing from his apparel that he was a man of rank, -leaped forward, and raised up his head, and, looking upon -his face, he saw that it was Harroun.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="crucified-unto-the-world"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">CRUCIFIED UNTO THE WORLD.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Arius having been joyfully ordained to be a -presbyter, and being uninformed of the martyrdom of -Am-nem-hat and of Theckla, with gladness of heart and -bright anticipations of coming happiness reached the city -of Alexandria, and went first of all, as his duty was, to -Peter, the bishop, whose return from Antioch had briefly -preceded his own arrival. And, after the usual -salutations had passed between them, the bishop, looking -tenderly upon him, said: "Son, thou hast been ordained -a presbyter, and hast been consecrated to the Master's -service, and the Bishop Lucanius highly extolleth -thy fitness for the holy office. But thou art young, my -son, and the Lord hath laid a heavy cross upon thee. -Hast thou received any recent news from our unfortunate -city of Alexandria?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The last news I received was borne by thee when -thou didst come unto Antioch bringing a letter from my -betrothed, and that from the community, and the casket -containing the perfect and beautiful copies of the sacred -writings which Theckla wrote with her own hand for -me. Why dost thou ask so seriously?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did only precede thee by three days, my son; but -upon my arrival heard the news of a sudden outbreak of -persecution in which many of the pious were perfected, -and their goods despoiled, the recital whereof will pierce -thy heart. Thine old friend Am-nem-hat did bravely -testify for Jesus even in the midst of the flame by which -he was made perfect."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I loved him much," said Arius, "and his long life -hath ended gloriously!" Then a ghastly pallor came over -the young man's cheek and lip, and he could only -murmur, "And Theckla, bishop?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Son," said the bishop, tenderly, "thy beautiful -Theckla was also a perfect witness for our Lord at the -same time and place with the ancient Am-nem-hat." Then -bowed the youth his head upon his hands, and -writhings as of some mortal agony swept over him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Son," said old Peter, tearfully, "canst thou not say, -'He doeth all things well, and blessed be his name'?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not yet! not yet!" sobbed out the broken-hearted -man; "but give unto me the key of the church Baucalis!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the bishop called a young deacon unto him, and -bade him take the key and guide the youthful presbyter -unto that church. And in silence the sorely-smitten man -followed his guide until they had reached the door of -the beautiful church; then said Arius unto him: "Thou -mayst return. Farewell!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Arius opened the door and passed within, and -locked the door behind him. And it was twilight; and -the full moon shed a soft and mellow light through the -vast area of the sacred room; and, not far off, the gentle -waves of the sea gleamed in the golden sheen, and lapsed -away along the quiet coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Back and forth, along the great aisle, with slow and -heavy footsteps--back and forth, until the long night -waned away, and the muffled tread of the sufferer seemed -to become regular, unceasing, continuous, as part of the -very course of nature itself--all night long, back and -forth, wrestling sorely with his sudden, mighty grief, the -young man trod the desolate aisle, and his bosom heaved -with anguish, but not a single word escaped his -compressed, ashy lips. The first faint light of dawn mottled -the eastern sky; then the glad sunlight streamed far out -along the peaceful sea, and the freshness of the morning -laughed from earth and heaven. Then went he slowly -unto a window opening unto the east, and the sun was -rising gloriously, and then the man raised up his right -hand reverently, and, gazing away into the glowing -heavens, with trembling lips and broken heart, he murmured: -"Yea! He doeth all things well; and blessed be his name!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the first great sorrow of his life had fallen upon -him; that which ages a man in a single day; that which -breaketh off and casteth far from him all the brightness -and freshness of his youth forever, and setteth him -henceforth face to face with the hard and bitter realities -of life, making all of the beautiful past only a dim and -blessed memory of happiness, the light and sweetness -whereof his lip shall taste no more on earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The youth was a man now; tried in the furnace of -affliction; exercised by grief; strengthened and hardened -and chastened by the bitter cup of woe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Quietly he departed from the church; with calm, -unfaltering tread he went back unto the bishop; and -then unwaveringly he asked for, and unflinchingly heard, -the pathetic details of the martyrdom. And the -kind-hearted old man said unto him: "Son, thou triest thy -heart too bitterly. If thou desirest to be alone, I can -give thee a room unto thyself, and thou canst abide -quietly with me until thou shalt feel better able to assume -thy pastoral charge."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank thee much, bishop, for thou art very kind. -But God forbid that private grief should ever keep me -from a sacred task! I will even preach to my people in -the Baucalis church this morning. For I know"--and -then the right hand momently began its rhythmic -movement, the mesmeric light gleamed in his somber eyes, the -strong, bold head sprang forward upon the lithe, serpentine -neck, and, with a light, plaintive hiss in every tone -that cut through the hearer's heart, he continued--"for -I know that Theckla would even have it so if she could -counsel me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The good old bishop sprang toward and embraced -him, crying out: "My son! my son! Thou art of the -splendid stuff of which God maketh martyrs! May he -console and comfort thee, and feed thee with the bread of -everlasting life!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For the bishop saw in his haggard countenance the -ineffaceable traces of his mighty struggle with that -night-long agony; he saw the grandeur and beauty of the -imperious will that wearied down the complainings of an -aching heart; and the clear, resolute soul that fixed its -eye upon the path of Christian duty, not to be swerved -therefrom by any earthly agency, and ready to immolate -even its sacred hours of grief for the sake of other -souls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Henceforth the fair forms of youth, and love, and -hope, would pass him by upon life's lonely pilgrimage -almost unrecognized--strangers to him except for some -far-off, heart-broken memories. Henceforth upon his -chastened hearing the voices of honor and ambition would -fall unheeded as the sounding brass or the tinkling -cymbal! Only when the stern, cold face of Duty might meet -his gaze, henceforth, his spirit would look up and say: -"I know thee. Welcome here!" Only when the shrinking -forms of human sorrow, and pain, and wretchedness, -should henceforth claim his sympathy, his soul would -reach forth ministering hands and say: "Ye are old -friends of mine! I welcome you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he did preach in the Baucalis church, that very -morning, a sermon which was never forgotten by those -who heard it. "The love of Christ constraineth us," he -exclaimed; then in words that leaped, and flashed, and -glinted, ringing distinct as bell-notes, yet all flowing in a -strong, even, jubilant current unto a definite purpose, he -set before them the loftiest form and manner in which -love hath ever showed its power and beauty, in the best -stories of pagan mythology and history, in high and -glorious examples from the Old and New Testament, and from -church history, all brought out like pictures before the -mind, and above them all he glorified and magnified that -love divine of Jesus; then how we are bound, constrained -thereby; unto what end; and, finally, that the necessary -result of this bondage to Christ is absolute freedom as to -all other authority upon earth, higher than any natural -courage or Stoic philosophy could confer. But there was -not even the remotest reference to his private sorrow. All -of them had known Theckla, and the covenant between -her and Arius, and the building of the church for him, -and the transcribing of the scriptures for him by her -hand; and all of their hearts had yearned after him in -sympathizing sorrow; but not one word of self even -inadvertently found utterance in his clear, cold, steel-like -exegesis of the truth, or in the copious, affluent stream -of exhortation and comfort. He had come to minister -unto them, not to be ministered unto by them; he had -come to help them bear all things, with clear eyes to see, -with open heart to feel and share, with strong, resolute, -uncomplaining spirit to bear all of their sorrows and trials; -his own to be sealed up in his own soul, buried out of -human sight forever. He took all hearts by storm: -instinctively they felt that this young man was thoroughly -furnished unto every good work; they could rely upon -him, they could trust him under all circumstances, in any -emergency. An old Christian in the congregation, who -had been a Roman officer for many years before his -conversion, and had faced every form of death upon the -battlefield, whispered to the friend next to him: "What a -splendid commander he would have made! He is the bravest -man I ever saw, for, if there had been a streak of weakness, -or cowardice, or selfishness in his nature, he could not have -buried his own grief out of sight, and put his whole heart -into his work as he hath done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was so through all the services of that first day. -Quiet, grave, courteous, he discharged every duty of his -position without the slightest reference to his own feelings -or trials. For, during that night of awful sorrow, he had -fully settled all his earthly life. Henceforth the church at -Baucalis was to be his home; the community that might -worship there, his family; he was, henceforth, to have no -griefs, ambitions, trials of his own; no hopes, no fears; -he was to bear the burdens of others; to love, guide, -counsel, and strengthen the souls intrusted to his care; to -do a minister's work, that is, a spiritual servant's work, -so long as life might last, and to wait patiently, -uncomplainingly, without disquietude or bitterness of spirit, if -possible with gladness, until the end might come. Such -was the destiny he had mapped out for himself during that -night of bitter anguish in the beautiful church; such was -the destiny that upon the next morning, with grand, -simple, unselfish faith and courage, he arose to meet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The thoroughness of this profound self-abnegation was -exhibited on the night succeeding that first day's labors, -when, in the solitude of his own apartment, he took from -out its cedar casket the beautiful manuscript which -Theckla's hand had lovingly prepared for him, and made -an indorsement thereon, in the Arabic tongue, that it had -been transcribed by Theckla, a noble Egyptian lady, who -also was a martyr in Alexandria. But he did not write -that it was transcribed for him; his name nowhere -appears on any part of the manuscript; there is not a word -or sign that can by any possibility connect his name or -fate with hers. Arius seemed to him to have been slain -and buried long ago; only God's presbyter survived the -ruin of his life, and stood up in the place of Arius, calm, -strong, fearless, unselfish, and devout.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And this great manuscript, which was the offering of -Theckla's love unto him, hath survived the lapse of ages, -bearing yet upon its priceless pages the indorsement of -Arius. It is known throughout Christendom as the -"CODEX ALEXANDRINUS"--"A" of the British Museum, -although some later writings have been blended therewith, -and some of the manuscripts prepared by Theckla have -been lost.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="his-most-catholic-majesty"><span class="large">BOOK II.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CHAPTER I.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">"HIS MOST CATHOLIC MAJESTY."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The historians, secular and ecclesiastic, have alike -failed to do justice to the vast abilities of Constantine -the Great. Those who have questioned his superiority -to all other Roman emperors (if, indeed, not to all other -men) have united in ascribing to accident, to the mere -drifting of events, facts which were really the forecastings -of profoundest statesmanship, guided by a political -sagacity that pierced through to the very core of the whole -social and religious life of the vast empire over which -he ruled, almost untroubled by the influences of human -passions, fears, and faith. On the other hand, those -who have felt constrained to give even the slightest -credence to his alleged profession of faith in Christ have -attributed to religious zeal, enthusiasm, or fears, the most -salient actions of a life that was, from beginning to end, -dominated only by the lust for dominion, incapable of -any creed but atheism, and absolutely content with the -negation of the existence of any Being greater than -himself. To those who take a more rational view of his -magnificent but criminal career, and who, looking -behind the mask of reverence for paganism which he cast -aside at precisely the politic moment, in order to assume -a false pretense of reverence for Christianity, discern -the cool, deliberate atheist, who was ready to profess any -creed and foster any superstition that might best serve -to smooth the road to absolute power, and make -mankind his slaves: to them the astute politician, the -successful warrior, the consummate ruler of men, assumes -such colossal proportions that, compared with him, -Alexander, Cæsar, and Napoleon, seem to sink into the lower -grade of butchers and stabbers, only half-taught in the -science of government, of which Constantine alone was -master. For it is no more certain that he despised and -pitied paganism while he was solemnly offering sacrifices -to Jupiter, and winning the admiration and love of the -Roman world for his imperial piety, than it is certain -that he pitied and despised the Church of Christ, even -while he was manipulating the faith into a sure and -reliable support of the empire; in both courses he only -played with the world, giving men any religious toy which -the greater part might prefer to have, in exchange for the -liberty of which he robbed them so plausibly and -successfully that they scarcely perceived his theft, and -enthusiastically caressed the royal thief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Christians of that age died at the stake, or by -the sword, or by wild beasts, rather than to cast a pinch -of incense into the sacred fires and say, "Proh Jupiter!" The -pagans would have plunged into civil war, and would -have endured or inflicted any pain, rather than -acknowledge any feeling for Christ except hatred, loathing, and -contempt. But Constantine both adopted the cross as a -military standard, and also observed the heathen rites -with customary ostentation and solemnity; having -absolutely no conscientious scruples for or against any -religion; regarding both the old and the new faiths as -things proper enough for common men, but altogether -indifferent to him; and using both alike as mere -instruments convenient for the advancement of his own -political purposes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After he had defeated Maxentius at the Milvian -Bridge, he caused his own statue to be erected at Rome; -and, while the general design and execution of the work -were unexceptionable to his pagan subjects, the image bore -in its hand the symbol of the cross, which, until that -day, had been esteemed to be a badge of crime and -infamy, as disgraceful to any Roman as the lewd Priapi -of the gardens could have been to the Christians; and -the thanksgiving which he offered to commemorate his -victory was couched in such enigmatical terms that in -applying it to Mars or Jupiter, the pagan did no more -violence to the text than the Christian would do in -ascribing it to Christ and God. So, when, to please the -Christians, he decreed the solemn observance of Sunday, he -inspired the pagans with confidence and respect, by -calling the sacred day </span><em class="italics">Dies Solis</em><span> (the Day of the Sun), a -formula of heathendom with which they had been -familiar all their lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Utterly devoid of faith in anything else except himself -and his own destiny, unyielding in that ambition to -exercise dominion which nerved him for the doubtful war -against Maxentius, he regarded both mankind and religion -with pity and contempt, and sought to rule men for their -good and his own glory, by means of any faith which they -might prefer; and hence, as Christianity became more -known and popular, he identified himself with it more and -more, only in order to foster an agency which seemed to be -available in the work of consolidating the warring factions -of the empire and securing the permanency of his throne. -But the gospel of love and peace over which he extended -the imperial protection did not deter him from -exterminating the whole race of Maxentius after he had -defeated him in battle; nor from the deliberate and politic -murder of Maximin, who was the father of Fausta his -wife, and who had been the benefactor of his father -Constantius; nor from the destruction of his wife herself, -nor of his sons; nor from the assassination of the -Emperor Licinius and his son, the offspring of his sister -Constantia--crimes so infamous and unnecessary that the first -spark of real animosity against the gods of Rome that -ever flashed across the serene and boundless depths of his -almost superhuman intelligence gleamed for a moment -past his consummate and life-long duplicity when the -pagan priests refused all expiation for such crimes; and be -turned away more decidedly to a religion which promises -pardon for every sin: not that he cared anything for the -sacred rites of either church; but because he was the first -Roman ruler to attach any definite meaning to the words -"public opinion," and he desired to maintain the confidence -of his people, and also to secure the full benefit of -those crimes which he committed to place his own -authority beyond the reach of accident.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So thoroughly indifferent to all sense of religion was -this greatest of the rulers of mankind that dissimulation -was an easy task which involved no conscientious scruples -of any kind; and was so gracefully and perfectly enacted -that even Eusebius, the father of ecclesiastical history, -himself no ordinary man, was for a long time very -thoroughly deceived into believing that the atheistic emperor -was God's vicegerent for the establishment of the Christian -Church on earth. "Constantine, therefore, in the very -commencement" (says Eusebius), "being proclaimed -supreme emperor and Augustus by the soldiers, and much -longer before this by the universal sovereign, God--Constantine, -the protector of the good, combining his hatred of -wickedness with the love of goodness, went forth with his -son Crispus, the most benevolent Cæsar, to extend a caring -arm to all them that were perishing. Both, therefore, the -father and the son, having, as it were, God the Universal -King and his Son, our Saviour, as their leader and aid, -drawing up the army on all sides against the enemies of -God, bore away an easy victory." "With choirs and -hymns," says Eusebius, "in the cities and villages, at the -same time they celebrated and extolled first of all God the -Universal King, because they were thus taught; then they -also celebrated the praises of the pious emperor, and with -him all his divinely-favored children," including Crispus -Cæsar whom he caused to be murdered afterward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only the lone and incorruptible seer of Patmos, John -the Divine, foresaw the mighty pagan in his real character, -and depicted him in words of scathing denunciation and -rebuke which the prostituted Church then failed to -understand when the things were transacted before her eyes--a -prophetic and apocalyptic view of Constantine and -Constantinople which becomes of easier interpretation as the -centuries glide away, revealing more and more clearly what -things John foretold, that were to follow upon the -subversion of Christianity by the most potent human enemy that -Jesus ever had, and locating the seat of Antichrist upon -seven hills above the sea to which the commerce of the -world resorted--a description inapplicable to any capital -on earth except the city of Constantinople.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The tentative effort made by Constantine in 312 and -313, when he had used the influence of the Christians -against Maxentius, had proved entirely successful, and the -great ruler at once began to make inquiries to ascertain -to what extent the same faith might prevail throughout -the Empire of the East, and how far he might depend -upon its aid in subverting the sovereign power of -Licinius, who then reigned over the Eastern Empire. For, -upon the death of Diocletian, Constantius and Galerius -had parted the empire between themselves in accordance -with the emperor's will, dividing both the provinces -and the legions, which was the first division of Roman -sovereignty. Constantine succeeded his father -Constantius, and, by the overthrow of Maxentius, had become -master of all of the Western Empire, although north -of the Mediterranean Licinius ruled Pannonia, Dalmatia, -Dacia, Greece, and Thrace; and, having overthrown -Maximian, ruled the East, including Asia Minor, Syria, and -Egypt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But it was always Constantine's set purpose to restore -the unity of the empire, and to concentrate the whole -imperial authority in his own hand--a purpose of which -he never for one moment lost sight, and which is the -explanation of his whole magnificent career. The present -difficulty in the way was the fact that he had permitted, -perhaps solicited, Licinius to sign with him the Decree -of Milan, which gave peace to the Church; and this -celebrated document had been issued in both their names, -by their joint authority, and had been so published -throughout the empire. In addition to this was the fact -that the Christians universally regarded the defeat of -Maximian and the triumph of Licinius as providential, -for the former had persecuted the Church, and the latter -had protected it in conjunction with Constantine. The -public actions of Maximian gave countenance to this -opinion: for, while he had great faith in the heathen -gods and priests, and had resorted to magic in order to -conduct the war with Licinius triumphantly, after he had -been defeated in battle "he slew many of his priests as -jugglers and impostors, and as the destroyers of his own -safety, since by their oracles he had been induced to -undertake the disastrous war. Moreover, having heard that -Constantine and Licinius were both Christians, he -supposed that their success was the result of their religion, -and himself immediately issued a decree providing safety -for the Christians whom less than a year before he had -ordered to be persecuted, by decrees engraved on brazen -tablets; he gave them liberty to rebuild their churches, -and commanded that all of their property which had -been seized and sold under the former decrees should be -restored to them. Shortly afterward he miserably died, -and Licinius ruled alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Licinius was a firm believer in Christianity, and his -faith and the decrees of Maximian alike confirmed both -himself and his subjects in the opinion that he was under -the divine protection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine was not long in perceiving the greatest -political error, perhaps the only one, committed by him, the -affixing of the signature of Licinius to the Decree of -Milan; but, at the time it was done, human foresight could -hardly have anticipated such a wholesale abandonment of -paganism, and such an ardent and enthusiastic adoption -of Constantine's new ecclesiasticism, on the part of the -people, as did actually occur. To have left the name of -Licinius out of the decree would have fostered any -ambitious views which that emperor might have entertained, -by enabling him to set up himself as the especial guardian -of the heathen religion, and so concentrating in his own -hands all the resources of the pagan world. Constantine -was compelled, therefore, either to divide the influence of -the Christians with Licinius, or else to array himself and -Christianity on the one side, against Licinius and -paganism on the other; and he was too wise a ruler not to -perceive that such a civil and religious war would be -disastrous to both rulers, if not the ultimate ruin of the -empire; and, not knowing the vast numerical strength of -the Christians, he chose the former alternative. But no -sooner had he succeeded in getting all power in the -North and West concentrated firmly in his owe hands, -than he began to seek for means whereby to undermine -the power of his rival, and so carry into effect -his life-long purpose--the reuniting of the divided -empire, and the concentration of all power in his own -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Christians of the Eastern Empire maintained the -primitive religion, and persevered in their original -opposition to bearing arms in war, and to slavery, and to -private-property rights, and so added nothing to the military power -of Licinius, except their constantly increasing communal -wealth. Licinius simply left the Church at peace, and was -not consummate politician enough to use its vast resources -in aid of his government, as Constantine had done, by -inducing the Christians to abandon the primitive -organization of the Church and become Roman subjects in -everything except the mere article of faith. When Ulfilas, the -Goth, converted his barbarous countrymen, and transformed -the fierce and warlike tribes into peaceful and settled -peoples among whom war, slavery, polygamy, and private -property, were unknown, and among whom no king was -recognized but Christ, Constantine declared war against -them, and pursued them with fire and sword until they -were forced to adopt Roman laws and customs, and agreed -by treaty to supply a permanent force of forty thousand -young men to the imperial army; and, after that, he -caused Ulfilas himself to be ordained a bishop, and sent -him back to his own people to teach the imperial religion -instead of Christianity. But this profound and atheistic -policy was too deep for the Emperor Licinius; and -Constantine knew well that, according to the primitive -Christianity, a whole Christian province would not furnish a -single recruit to his rival's legions, since no Christian -would bear arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius of Cæsarea, who had prepared the way for -Constantine to become the head of the Church in the -Western Empire, was the emperor's chosen friend and -constant counselor, and the ruler of Rome never -forgot that the bishop had, first of all men, invited his -attention to the fact that the despised and persecuted -Christians constituted already a body of men so numerous, -so virtuous, and so prosperous, as to hold the balance of -power between any factions which might divide the Roman -people just as soon as the legal disabilities which both -concealed their numbers and fettered their influence might be -removed by imperial favor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Under the advice of Eusebius, the emperor, in his own -name, sent to Anulinus, Proconsul of Africa, a decree most -favorable to the Christians throughout that region; he -also made presents of large sums of money to the bishops -of Africa, Numidia, and Mauritania, who had been -plundered in the persecutions of Maximian; he also sent a -decree ordaining that all church prelates be freed from -obligation to discharge any public, military, or political duties -and offices; also, he made a decree commanding a certain -council to be held concerning the affairs of Cæcilianus, -Bishop of Carthage, and sent to Miltiades, Bishop of Rome, -copies of the charges against Cæcilianus; also, a decree -addressed to Chrestus, Bishop of Syracuse, commanding that -a council of many bishops, both of Africa and of Gaul, -should assemble at the city of Arles, in order to consider -and determine certain questions which were disputed -among the faithful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In short, counseled by Eusebius, who never doubted -the ultimate overthrow of idolatry, and the ultimate -triumph of whatever ecclesiastical system might be -established in place of the Christian communities, -Constantine zealously strove in every way to identify himself -and his government with the new religion, and to hold -himself out as the head of the Church, as well as of the -state. At the same time he steadily pursued a secret -policy of winning to himself the affection and confidence -of the Christian subjects of the Emperor Licinius, by the -use of agents whom he kept in his own service, in the -household of every bishop of the Eastern Church. This -zeal in the service of the established ecclesiasticism soon -met with the great reward which Eusebius had promised -to the emperor; for, throughout the length and breadth -of the churches it began to be commonly declared that -"Constantine was the divinely-appointed protector of the -Christians"; that "God was the friend and vigilant -protector of Constantine"; and that "no man could be -his equal, and no man could stand against him." Licinius -soon perceived the influence of these machinations, -and saw that, even in his own dominions, the -Christians, and especially the prelates, offered up more -prayers for Constantine than for himself--"so that he -did not suppose," saith Eusebius, "that they offered -prayers for him at all, but persuaded himself that they -did all things, and propitiated the Deity, only for the -divinely-favored Emperor Constantine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This treasonable sentiment, of course, aroused the -resentment of the jealous Licinius, and more and more -developed that estrangement between him and the Christians -for which Constantine secretly but zealously labored; and -Licinius sought revenge by fomenting every disaffection -which manifested itself against the rule of Constantine in -Africa. But the bishops were as perfect a police force as -modern times have ever succeeded in organizing, and -kept Rome fully advised of every movement inaugurated -by the enemies of the "most Christian emperor." And -Eusebius saith, concerning Licinius, that "when he saw -that his secret preparations by no means succeeded -according to his wish, </span><em class="italics">as God detected every artifice and -villainy to his favorite prince</em><span>, no longer able to conceal -himself, Licinius commenced an open war. And in thus -determining war against Constantine, he now </span><em class="italics">proceeded -to array himself against the Supreme God whom he knew -Constantine to worship</em><span>. Afterward he began imperceptibly -to assail those pious subjects under him who had -never at any time troubled his government. This too, -he did, violently urged on by the innate propensity of his -malice, that overclouded and darkened his understanding. -He did not, therefore, bear in mind </span><em class="italics">those that had -persecuted the Christians before him</em><span>, nor those </span><em class="italics">whose -destroyer and punisher he himself had been appointed</em><span>, for -their wickedness. But, departing from sound reason, and, -as one might say, seized with insanity, he had determined -</span><em class="italics">to wage war against God himself</em><span>, the protector and aid -of Constantine, </span><em class="italics">in place of the one whom He assisted</em><span>. -And first, indeed, he </span><em class="italics">drove away all the Christians from -his house</em><span>, the wretch thus divesting himself of those -prayers to God for his safety which they were taught to -offer up for all men. After this he ordered the soldiers -in the cities to be cashiered and stripped of military -honors unless they chose to sacrifice to demons."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine having craftily succeeded in embroiling -Licinius with the Church, watched with secret joy, until -the enemy whom he wished to destroy followed up this -lustration of his army and navy, which was designed to -drive out the Christian spies of Constantine, with more -strenuous measures; and, in the language of Eusebius, -"at last proceeded to such an extent of madness </span><em class="italics">as to -attack the bishops</em><span>, now indeed regarding them as the -servants of the Supreme God, </span><em class="italics">but hostile to his measures</em><span>." And -as the angry tyrant adopted extreme remedies for -this ecclesiastical treason, "razing the churches to the -ground"; "subjecting the bishops to the same punishment -as the worst criminals"; "cutting the bodies of -some into small pieces and feeding them out to fishes in -the sea"; and "destroying others by various modes of -torture and death"--"the whole Christian world regarded -him with horror and detestation, and looked to -Constantine for deliverance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So that the error which the emperor had committed, -in soliciting Licinius to affix his signature to the Decree -of Milan, was not only fully compensated by his consummate -skill and artifice, but the Church prayed earth and -Heaven for the destruction of Licinius. Licinius, irritated -more and more by the wide-spread disaffection of his -subjects, espoused the cause of Bassianus, who had married -Anastasia, the sister of Constantine, and urged him into -rebellion in order to gain larger power; and, Bassianus -having been defeated and dethroned, Licinius refused to -deliver up the partisans of the fallen Cæsar who had -taken refuge in his dominions; and upon this pretext -Constantine declared war against him; and in two -battles, one at Cibalis in Pannonia, and the other upon the -plains of Mardia in Thrace, he defeated Licinius, and so -crippled him that he was compelled to make peace, with -the loss of Pannonia, Dalmatia, Dacia, Macedonia, and -Greece, which provinces were added to the dominions of -Constantine, and extended his empire to the extremity of -Peloponnesus, leaving Licinius Emperor of Thrace, Asia -Minor, Syria, and Egypt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This war happened in the year 315, and the ambition -of Constantine was temporarily sated, so that he then -refrained from pushing to extremities the defeated but still -powerful Licinius until he might have time and -opportunity to alienate the affection and confidence of his -subjects in Asia as thoroughly as he had done in Europe. -And, besides this, he wanted time in order to subjugate -the Goths whom Ulfilas had converted, subvert the -Christian communities organized among them on the primitive -foundation, and force them to adopt the ecclesiastical -system which he had established at Rome, in order to -make the Gothic nation an available factor in any future -war in which he might engage. But in a few years -afterward, having successfully waged war against the Goths, -and having seen the influence of Licinius greatly -impaired by the persecutions of the Church in Syria and -Egypt which he had encouraged and, perhaps, -instigated, as well as by that secret diplomacy of which -Constantine was master, the Roman emperor deemed that the -time had come to destroy Licinius, and restore the unity -of the empire, and consolidate all power in his own hands, -especially as the great age and unpopular vices of -Licinius seemed to presage an easy victory. He accordingly -(and without any pretext whatever on this occasion) -declared war against the Illyrian emperor; and in the great -battle of Adrianople, and in the siege of Byzantium, and -in the decisive action of Chrysopolis, in all of which he -engaged Licinius with inferior numbers, his vast military -genius asserted itself, so that by continuous defeats he -reduced the Emperor of the East to the necessity of making -an unconditional surrender. Constantia, the wife of -Licinius, was the sister of Constantine, and, at her request -and entreaties, the conqueror temporarily spared the life -of his fallen rival, and banished him to Thessalonica, -where he was soon afterward assassinated in some -mysterious manner, it being to this day uncertain whether -he perished by the order of the senate, by a tumult of -the soldiers, or by the machinations of Constantine. But -it is certain that the "first Christian emperor" regarded -the fact that a man might stand in the way of his -ambition, or possibly compromise his safety, as a sufficient -reason for putting him to death, even if the unlucky -person happened to be his own son.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thus the mighty and victorious Constantine," saith -Eusebius, "adorned with every virtue of religion, with his -most pious son, Crispus Cæsar, resembling in all things -his father, recovered the East as his own, and thus -restored the Roman Empire to its ancient state of one united -body; extending their peaceful sway around the world, -from the rising sun to the opposite regions, to the north -and the south, even to the borders of the declining day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But this greatest statesman, politician, and ruler--this -absolute, untroubled, and self-confident atheist--had only -"the godliness that is profitable for the life that now -is"; for this "Christian" had never been baptized -(knowing that an emperor can not be a Christian); and he -afterward murdered in cold blood, without provocation, "his -most pious son, Crispus Cæsar, resembling in all things his -father"; his own wife Fausta, and the youthful Licinius, -son of his sister Constantia; just as he systematically -assassinated every one whom his calm, merciless, wise policy -thought to be possibly inimical to his own safety. But -he realized the life-long ambition of his soul, the -restoration of the unity of the Roman Empire under his own -authority; and did it by the aid of the Christian Church, -which he bribed, corrupted, and secularized, until it -acknowledged him to be king instead of Jesus Christ.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These historical details, however, anticipate our -narrative of Arius the Libyan, to which we must now return.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-naval-question"><span class="large">CHAPTER II.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A NAVAL QUESTION.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>After the overthrow of the Christian communities -which Ulfilas had founded among the Goths, Constantine -called Eusebius, Bishop of Cæsarea, unto himself, and -began to make diligent inquiries concerning the churches -of Syria and of Egypt; and, having obtained all of the -information current among the bishops, he entered into -conversation with Eusebius, apparently for the purpose -of still further satisfying himself upon certain points -involved in his investigations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou sayest," said Constantine, "that, in spite of -the persecution in which many bishops and private -persons have suffered martyrdom, the Church constantly -increases in numbers and influence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," replied Eusebius, "but not so rapidly as in -thine own dominions; for in most places their services are -secretly conducted because of the heathen; yet the truth -triumphs everywhere, and the churches prosper wonderfully. -The cruel wrongs done unto the faithful excite the -interest and compassion of all fair-minded men, and there -are always many who seek for fuller information concerning -our holy religion, and there are always some at hand -ready to impart it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would that it were possible for me at this time to -occupy the same relation to the Eastern Church that so -happily obtains in the Empire of the West. But that -seems to be impossible while the Emperor Licinius reigns -over those realms."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art as much beloved by the Christians of the -East as by those of Europe or of Africa; and they look -unto thee for deliverance, and hopefully await thy coming."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But Europe and Africa are under mine own hand, -and Asia is not; the Church of the East is beyond the -reach of my protection."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stretch forth thine arm of power, thou favorite of -the supreme God, and take it unto thyself. Thou alone -art fitted to be emperor, and Asia, as part of the Roman -Empire, is rightfully thine own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Constantine gave way to one of those fits of sudden, -silent meditation which were not unusual to him, and -continued to gaze upon his bishop long and earnestly. -At last he said: "The Emperor Licinius is a brave -and skillful commander, trained all his life in the -discipline of the Roman army. He not only hath yet a -solid foothold upon European soil, but he could call -into action out of populous Asia double as many -soldiers as the Western Empire could put into the field, -including the hardy Goths, whom I have added to the -military force of Rome. He is no merely titular -emperor, but is a consummate warrior, a wise ruler, an able -and valiant man, as he hath already proved against both -Maximian and myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou and God art greater still!" said the bishop, -solemnly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That might be so upon the land," murmured Constantine, -absently, "for many of my legions are veterans, -who have followed me through seventeen campaigns -without defeat, and the Goths are brave and hardy. But the -old emperor's vast superiority is on the sea. For, since -Rome ceased to be the seat of empire, the naval -establishments of Misenum and Ravenna have been greatly -neglected, and the maritime cities of Greece no longer furnish -those formidable fleets which made the republic of Athens -so famous. But the Emperor Licinius can draw from -Egypt and the adjacent coasts of Africa, from the ports -of Phoenicia and the Isle of Cyprus, and from Bithynia, -Ionia, and Caria, a fleet to which the rest of mankind -could offer no effective opposition; so that, if I should be -successful on land, the emperor's naval superiority would -enable him to carry an offensive war into every sea-coast of -Hispania, Gaul, and Italy, cut off all my supplies, and -force me to retreat even in the face of victory. It will not -do!" he cried, passionately and despondingly--"it will -not do! and it requires years to prepare a navy! There -must be some other way--some other way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What dark and secret thought slumbered in the -capacious deeps of that calm, unwavering spirit to which -expediency was ever a sufficient justification for any crime -that might advance political designs, no man can ever -know; but Eusebius at once perceived that the thing -which he supposed to have been a suggestion of his own--a -temptation held out by him to the emperor and ventured -upon because his zeal for the persecuted Christians of the -Eastern Church made him earnestly desire that Constantine -should conquer and protect those regions--had in -truth long been a subject of profoundest meditation in the -emperor's soul; a most dangerous ambition, which he had -considered in every possible aspect of it. Neither of these -able men spoke for some time. Then the emperor said, -musingly: "Would that it were possible for me at this -time to occupy the same relation to the Eastern Churches -that so happily obtains in the Empire of the West! But -there must be some other way--some other way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius perceived from the repetition of these words -that they in some way contained the particular matter -concerning which Constantine desired him to speak; and he -shuddered at the unwelcome thought of what might -possibly be required at the hand of some bishop of the Church -by the implacable and unscrupulous emperor; but, not -fully comprehending the drift of the royal mind, he -answered: "It would be easy to attach the bishops and their -congregations unto thyself as thou didst those of Africa, -by secret aid to the churches, and by kind messages unto -those who have experienced the tyrant's cruelty; for -already all Christians regard thee as divinely raised up for -their succor, and they are comforted by the hope that, -when thou dost rule the world, the gospel shall be as free -in the East as it is in the West."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But that is a mere sentiment," answered Constantine. -"The Christians are not soldiers; in the East they refuse -to bear arms, or to recognize an earthly ruler. Surely -thou dost remember how difficult it was to bring them -over to any active support of mine empire even in the -West."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily! But thou mayst gradually assume -direction of the Church there as thou hast done here: by -largesses to the bishops; by calling councils in thine own -name to settle clerical differences; and by training them, -as thou hast done here, to regard thee alone as the real -source of both ecclesiastical and political authority; and so -by degrees control them as thou wilt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have meditated over all of that," said Constantine, -"and the great difficulty in the way of its accomplishment -grows out of the fact that any attempt to interfere in the -trial of charges against bishops or presbyters, whether upon -accusations of personal misconduct, or of erroneous -doctrine, within the dominions of the Emperor Licinius, -would be regarded by him, and by his subjects, as an -unwarrantable interference in matters which do not concern -the Empire of the West; and such a course would only -inflame and consolidate those whom I prefer to divide in -sentiment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," said Eusebius, "if the question in dispute -should be one, not between the members of some -particular community, or locality, but between almost the -whole body of the Christians in the Western Empire on -the one hand, and almost the whole body of the Eastern -Church upon the other, could there be any impropriety -in calling a council of the whole Church, East and West, -to consider and determine it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Constantine. "If there were only such -a question, the way would be laid open at least for a -beginning. But how couldst thou ever create such a question?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The question, or rather the questions (for there are -two of them), are already created--the East upon one -side of both, and the West upon the other."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are these questions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One is a great dispute concerning the proper time -for the celebration of Easter; and the other a most -subtile controversy concerning the nature of Godhead -and the relation of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; a -dispute in which Hosius of Cordova leads many bishops -and presbyters upon one side, and Arius the Libyan as -many upon the other."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Arius the Libyan!" cried Constantine, with -sudden wrath. "The Libyan serpent! The ram of -Baucalis! a presbyter of Alexandria! By thundering Jove, I -will yet crush that hard, stubborn, fearless nature, for -he hath been more in my way than even the Emperor -Licinius himself! Curse the man! curse him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius gazed upon the emperor in mute astonishment. -He knew that Constantine possessed an almost -supernatural knowledge of all political movements and -persons, even in the remotest corner of the empire over -which he reigned, but he had never even dreamed that -the mighty emperor had heard so much as the name of -the gaunt, unsocial, self-denying, and inflexible presbyter -of the Baucalis church at Alexandria, in the dominions -of Licinius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Knowest thou the man?" he asked with unconcealed -astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine had already regained his usual calmness, -and in placid tones replied: "I have never seen Arius, -but have constantly and often heard of his dangerous -and revolutionary teachings, and of his rugged, -implacable, unyielding character. He hateth me without any -cause, except that I am emperor, and scorneth every -favor I was inclined to show him. I even tendered unto -him the bishopric of Alexandria, which Alexander now -holds, but he refused to accept it, for no other reason -than that he supposed his advancement to that high -place to have been procured by the influence of mine -agents in that city."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I regret that he is not thy friend," answered -Eusebius; "but wilt thou instruct me how a presbyter could -teach dangerous and revolutionary doctrines? Perhaps -such teachings might furnish matter for which the -Church might suspend him from the office of presbyter, -and silence his utterances."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do not think so," answered Constantine. "He -teaches that a Christian can not be an emperor, nor bear -arms in war; and that to take sides in a struggle -between any earthly governments is to betray the Christ. -He teaches that no Christian can hold slaves, own -private property, or recognize Roman and Egyptian laws -and customs in reference to marriage and divorce. In a -word, he still rigidly adheres to that primitive Christianity, -the prevalence of which would soon render all government -over the people unnecessary if not impossible, -and which, as thou knowest, it was so difficult for us to -guide to right and reasonable action even in Rome and -in other parts of the West. But his primitive and -fearless teachings have reduced to the ghostly form of a -mere sentiment all the active aid I had expected to -obtain from the Christians of Syria and of Egypt. The -fleet, the mighty fleet, which putteth all my coasts at -the mercy of Licinius, ought to have been mine own, -and would have been but for that Libyan serpent who -paralyzed the arms of willing Christians by his accursed -teachings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," said Eusebius, solemnly, "these teachings were -the very doctrines of our Lord, and Arius hath proclaimed -nothing but the truths of the gospel, and for three -hundred years no Christian man hath owned a slave or -claimed private title to property, or lifted up a weapon -even in defense of the faith for which he does not -hesitate to die." And the bishop's fine face darkened, and -his heart twitched as if some transient gleam of lightning -had revealed before him a bottomless pit that opened -down to perdition; and for a moment he half-way felt that -he had lost his own soul by juggling with the empire in -the name of Jesus and for the glory of the Church.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he stood in painful meditation, the emperor -continued: "Yea! doubtless this was the primitive system; -and, thoroughly permeated with its new and radical -principles, Arius seeketh to enforce them. The African ram, -bold, self-confident, aggressive! the Libyan serpent, agile, -beautiful, tameless, and dangerous! scorning all earthly -ambitions as trifles unworthy of the consideration of an -immortal spirit; despising pain, and toil, and peril; -almost courting martyrdom; immovable by threats of -vengeance, or by hope of reward; alike inaccessible to -flattery and to fear--but for that one man I would hold -the East in my hand to-day! For the fleet was largely -manned and officered by Christians, and all things were -arranged to deliver up the ships to me, when this fierce, -invincible, immovable presbyter poured out the angry -torrent of his eloquence and learning, urging the -Christians to obey all laws of the government under which -they lived that were not contrary to conscience, and -denouncing those who might engage on either side in favor -of an earthly ruler as traitors to Christ and his -kingdom. Their courage shriveled up before his fierce -denunciation, as if it had been smitten by the wrath of -God, and all the carefully prepared plans for getting -possession of more than half the fleet of Licinius, and -especially of the great galleys with three banks of oars, faded -away before the breath of this one irreconcilable and -immovable man. Then the attention of the Emperor -Licinius having been called to the matter, he made a -lustration of his army and navy, and dishonorably dismissed -therefrom every man who refused to offer sacrifice to the -gods; and also from his civil service, and from his -palaces. And since that day there hath been no man in -the service of Licinius that is a Christian. But the -emperor sent to Arius a parchment giving to him legal -authority to preach the gospel publicly in his city of -Alexandria, because his gospel had saved the fleet; and the -stern, uncompromising presbyter sent it back with a message -that his authority to preach was from God, not from man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For what reason did Arius so bitterly take sides -against thee, the favorite of God, the protector of the -Church?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be unjust," said Constantine, "to say that -he ever did so. He did not; but his powerful influence -in holding the Christians of Egypt and of Syria to -strictest neutrality was the most injurious policy he could -have pursued against me; but he would have pursued -the same course against any other ruler in the world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius was the fast friend of Arius, whom he -admired and loved beyond all living men (for Pamphilus -had already suffered martyrdom); and the great -ecclesiastic, rejoicing at the praises bestowed upon his friend -by the greatest ruler of men, strove to call out yet more -of his opinion, and accordingly said unto him, "Couldst -thou not, then, attack the moral character of Arius, and -call a council to condemn him for some irregularity, and -so get rid of him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," answered the emperor, "the man is proof -against all earthly temptations. When all arrangements -had been made to confer upon him the see of Alexandria, -he calmly but positively refused to accept the office, -saying he would live and die presbyter of the Baucalis -church. Gifts of money sent unto him anonymously he -poured into the common treasury of the Church -uncounted, and, in the midst of opulence, lived the life of -an anchorite. Seven hundred of the noblest women of -Alexandria are his communicants, and constant watchfulness -never detected him in the slightest impropriety with -any of them. In the pestilence which decimated and -terrified the great city, by day and night he ministered -unto the afflicted, when even parents abandoned their -children and children their parents, and the ties of blood -were disregarded, until the people believed him to be -invested with a charmed life that was invulnerable to -poniard, poison, or pestilence. He is the purest and the -strongest soul on earth," said the emperor, with -undisguised admiration, "but he hath barred my way unto -the conquest of the East!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius glowed with pleasure as he listened to the -language in which the emperor depicted the character of -Arius, and replied: "Only the truly great are able to do -justice to those whom they have strong reason to dislike, -but thou hast painted the grand and lonely soul of the -Libyan even as it is. He hath been purified by sorrow. -He is all for Christ, and earthly hopes, fears and -ambitions no more can move his chaste and lofty spirit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," said Constantine, sternly, "however admirable -the presbyter may be, I will not forget that he hath -robbed me of the fleet! He hath barred my way unto -the conquest of the East."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Eusebius: "If the fleet of Licinius could -be by some means neutralized; if that valiant tyrant -could, perhaps, be induced to keep his fleet out of the -war altogether, and leave the fate of the empire to be -decided by the armies of the East and of the West--would -that content thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The handsome face of Constantine glowed with a wonderful -light of hope and pleasure as he answered, eagerly; -"Yea, thou most wise and infallible bishop! If thou -canst accomplish this thing, soon shall the churches of -the East enjoy the imperial protection as fully as do those -of the Western Empire; and, freed from the persecutions -of Licinius and of the pagan priests, the Church shall -triumph over all the world. But I have told thee that -no more able warrior lives than the emperor; he will -never forego the use of his right arm of power: thou -canst not neutralize his navy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The greatest of ecclesiastics gazed with affectionate -admiration upon the greatest of emperors, and calmly -answered: "I am a man of peace, and know nothing of -the conduct of a war. But I do know something of the -human heart, and of the secret springs that govern the -actions of men. When I did visit thee in Gaul, before -the war with Maxentius, thou didst tell me that I could -not cast a javelin, nor smite with a sword, nor draw out -a legion in battle order, but that I knew all Italy, and -showed thee how to conquer Rome. Verily I know not -how to sail a ship, yet I will endeavor diligently to keep -the tyrant's navy far off from thy coasts. If I should -fail, thou wilt quickly know the unwelcome truth; and -if I succeed thou shalt learn it immediately."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast always succeeded," answered Constantine; -"no promise made by thee hath failed. Thou hast never -once disappointed thine emperor and friend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For the present," said Eusebius, "I do greatly desire -of thee an indefinite leave of absence, but I trust not -a protracted one, in order that I may pay a visit to my -beloved brother Eusebius, the Bishop of Nicomedia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For an instant the face of Constantine was clouded. -"Within the dominions of Licinius?" he softly -murmured, but in a moment he answered: "Thou hast leave -to go! But tell me, bishop, why thou goest unto -Nicomedia. What canst thou do there except to expose thy -dear and valuable head to the fury of the emperor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I go thither," said Eusebius, with a light and -musical laugh, "seeking to prepare a problem over which the -historians and warriors of all future ages shall puzzle -their weary brains in vain. The question which will be, -I trust, a riddle unto them, is briefly this: Why was it -that, in the second war with the most Christian Emperor -Constantine, the brave and competent commander Licinius, -possessing so vast a superiority at sea, utterly failed -to carry an offensive war into the very center of his -rival's dominions, and, having moored his fleet safely in -some secure strait or bay, left the issue of the war to be -decided by the land-forces alone, in the conduct of which -the most glorious Emperor Constantine was known to be -invincible?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Constantine sprang from his seat, and with eager, -glowing face he embraced the bishop and kissed him, -saying: "Canst thou, indeed, do this thing for me? If -thou canst, thou art stronger than ten legions, and -deservest a reward equal to their pay!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou knowest well," said Eusebius, kindly but with -inexpressible dignity, "that I have served thee faithfully -without reward, because I love thee, Augustus, and love -the Church of Christ, and know assuredly that thine own -triumph will secure the triumph of the faith!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou speakest nothing but the truth, bishop," -replied Constantine, his fine face lighting up with strong -emotions, "and I have loved and honored thee in my -heart accordingly. Thou knowest that, whenever thou -needest me, I am all thine own. But how can this -miracle that shall neutralize the emperor's maritime -ascendency be wrought?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think," answered Eusebius, gravely and sadly, -"that miracles have recently ceased throughout the world, -so that even the Church of Christ hath to depend upon -only human agencies, which thou knowest was not -formerly the case. It is well known, however, that the old -Emperor Licinius doth not doubt the truth and divinity -of our holy religion, although he hateth the Christians -because he hath been persuaded that they offer up more -prayers for thee than for himself. Now, it hath seemed -probable to me that if an authentic Christian prophecy -could be privately circulated through the imperial palace -of Nicomedia to the purport that the Eastern Empire -would be overthrown whenever it might send a hostile -fleet to ravage the coasts of Europe, his fear and hatred -of the Christians would influence him to retain his fleet -at home in order to forestall the prophecy. Of course, -the common sense of the matter would be, as thou hast -said, for him to use his vast naval strength to desolate -thy coasts in Greece, Italy, Africa, Hispania, and Gaul; -but, perhaps, he may not do so. The matter is not very -clearly wrought out in my mind, but gradually takes -shape as I consider it, and I desire to see my brother, -Eusebius of Nicomedia, a wise and prudent man, to -converse with him concerning it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a great and wonderful bishop," said -Constantine. "Go thou, and may God prosper thee! Keep -me well informed of thy movements, and of all events that -happen. Thou shalt have orders for all supplies, -attendance, and money, which thou canst possibly need for thy -purposes. If thou fall into any trouble at Nicomedia, or -elsewhere, have sure means of informing me, for I would -risk the sovereignty of the world to deliver thee, thou -incomparable friend and bishop. When wilt thou depart?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Within a few days, at most," said Eusebius. "And -thou shalt do nothing except to grant me leave of -absence. We bishops can further each other upon our -journeys quite well, and I wish to go secretly and -without attracting notice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When thou hast leisure," said Constantine, "come -unto me again, and come prepared to unravel these -questions concerning the celebration of Easter, and -concerning the Godhead, to the very last threads of them; for -I earnestly desire to be perfectly informed therein."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-politics-of-religion"><span class="large">CHAPTER III.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE POLITICS OF RELIGION.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A day or two afterward, Eusebius again sought -audience of the emperor, and in a long interview, during -which Constantine, with his own hand, kept copious and -accurate memoranda of the conversation, the bishop -carefully explained the nature of the church controversy -respecting the observance of Easter, and also the nature -of the abstract and peculiar ideas involved in the -dispute concerning the Deity; and in the whole interview -the emperor manifested the perfect thoroughness with -which his calm, grand intelligence was accustomed to go -to the very bottom of every matter which once secured -his interest, grasping all possible aspects and relationships -of the subject--the evidence upon which alleged -facts might be founded, the authority upon which each -opinion might rest--so that at the close of the long and -studious interview he was as well informed upon the -subjects discussed as were the most learned ecclesiastics -of his generation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I perceive," he said to Eusebius, "that thou art an -advocate of the opinion of Arius the Libyan, concerning -what Hosius calleth the Holy Trinity?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea!" answered the bishop; "for neither do the -Gospels teach me, nor can the aid of reason enable me -to understand that three are one any more than that -one is three; nor can I evade the fact that 'Father' -and 'Son' are terms which of necessity imply that the -Father antedates the Son; nor can I believe that God -the Father lived in our flesh and died upon the cross. -So that, whenever the 'Arian heresy,' as they call it, -shall be heard before a general council, I shall be -numbered among the heterodox, if it is indeed possible that -any council shall ever condemn the grand Libyan's -doctrines!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I regret much," replied the emperor, "that thy conscience -leadeth thee in that direction, although the fact -must never become a cause of difference between thee -and me. For, while I would yield cheerful acquiescence -to thy superior learning about all merely religious -questions, I perceive already that the political aspects of this -controversy will make it politic for me to maintain the -opinions of Hosius and his party."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What possible political significance can exist in such -an abstract dispute about matters of theological faith and -doctrine?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine laughed pleasantly, and answered: "Of -course, a pious and learned bishop would sooner perceive -the minutest ramifications of the theological roots of any -question than to grasp its most palpable political -outgrowth. I will tell thee, bishop, but the communication is -for thee alone. As to the paschal controversy, it is a mere -matter of sentiment or feeling between those who do not -wish to follow the Jews in fixing the time of its observance, -and desire to have some period assigned by the Christian -authority, on the one hand; and, on the other, those who are -unwilling to depart from the practice of three centuries for -any reason--but these differences can be easily reconciled. -But, as to this other controversy, it is of an essentially -different kind. Thy statement of it revealed to me the -salient fact that the doctrine of Arius is that of the -Eastern Church, the doctrine of Hosius that of the Western; -and a geographical line might almost be run through the -faith upon this question--Arius and his party upon one -side, Hosius and his upon the other--and along the line -itself many who are not the partisans of either opinion. -Thou seest, therefore, that it is really a question between -two empires, and, whenever it shall be determined, a proper -regard for the prestige of mine own empire requires me to -see that the decision shall be in favor of the Western -Church. Dost thou now perceive one plainest and least -important point of its political bearings?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily," answered Eusebius. "But it had not -occurred to me before!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After the matter shall have been accomplished," said -Constantine, "many others shall also see it, but not just -yet; for it is the business of him who is fit to rule not -only to see, but to foresee, whatever may concern his -empire!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou alone hast seen it yet," replied the bishop. -"But what other political significance can the controversy -possibly possess?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! bishop," said the emperor, "it is the great question -of our age. It involves in itself the whole field of -controversy between the old civilizations and the new; -between paganism and Christianity; between Jesus Christ -and the rulers of mankind. The doctrines of Arius are the -utterances of that primitive Christianity which proclaimed -the fraternity of all men, condemned war, slavery, and -private-property rights. It maintaineth Jesus as the king -of a kingdom established in the world; a real and actual -government among the Christian communities, which may -yield obedience to laws that do not fetter conscience, but -does not acknowledge allegiance to any human emperor or -king. Its universal prevalence would speedily render all -government over the people ridiculous and unnecessary; -for Christ would be the only king, and all men brethren, -free and equal, as was the case in Moasia, under the -apostolical Ulfilas, until I was constrained to send an army -thither and force the Goths to give up their communal -organization, and adopt the Roman laws and customs. -The system of Arius, primitive Christianity, dear bishop, -would leave no room for Constantine on earth. But the -doctrine of Hosius, by elevating Jesus to actual Godhead, -leaveth his earthly career a mere manifestation, or -appearance, of the divine in human flesh; and, since the God -hath returned to his former ineffable condition, it leaveth -his kingdom to be only a pure and lofty spiritual -phantasm--and leaves mankind for Constantine to govern. -Thou seest that there can be no rivalry between the -Christianity of Hosius and the sovereigns of this world, while -the faith of Arius would soon subvert all human governments, -and dethrone every prince on earth. Beyond any -question, the emperors, from Nero to my own times, sought -only to preserve the empire by persecuting the Christians, -and properly described Christianity as 'a baleful and -malignant superstition,' 'a criminal association,' 'a new -society that departed from the laws and ceremonies of our -fathers, inventing a new government for itself inconsistent -with the imperial laws and rights.' They understood that -Roman sovereignty could not maintain itself against a -rapidly increasing association that proposed to abolish war, -slavery, private rights of property, offices, rank, and -prerogative; and they tried to stamp it out of existence. -These emperors strove to defend the empire by exterminating -the Christians; if they had been greater men, they -would have adopted the new religion, pruned it of all -doctrines that might menace the imperial authority, -translating Jesus to the highest heaven, and taking for -themselves his place upon the earth--as I have done. I am, -therefore, the champion of the Holy Trinity, as Hosius -hath defined it; and at the right time Arius must be -condemned as a heretic. For I will no more suffer him to -build up the churches of the East upon this basis of primitive -Christianity than I would suffer Ulfilas to accomplish -a similar purpose among the Gothic tribes. Dost thou -now perceive the political significancy of this Arian heresy, -my dear bishop?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Eusebius stood before the emperor pale and trembling, -the cold perspiration standing in great drops upon -his pallid brow. For a moment an awful mist of horror -enveloped his struggling soul. Had he, then, made a -terrible mistake in using his own large abilities and influence -to place the persecuted saints under the protection of the -grand and humane emperor? Had he betrayed the Church -of Christ, and lost his own soul, in bringing about that -union of ecclesiastical and imperial authority which -made the kingdom of heaven an appanage of the Roman -emperor, and had secured safety, peace, and glory, for -the Christians by giving to Constantine the place that -should belong only to Jesus Christ? Had he indeed been -overreached and manipulated by this most able of -mankind for his own political purposes, even while he thought -himself to be using Constantine for the glory of God and -for the edification of the Church? Sick, doubtful, -terrified, he faintly answered: "But the things which thou -sayest the doctrines of Arius would accomplish are -precisely the triumph which our Lord did promise to the -Church, and which he pledged his divinity to achieve! -Surely Arius must be right! War, slavery, and -mammon-worship, must be banished out of the world! Mankind -must become brethren in the Lord! The Church must -triumph, and Christ must be the only king!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not in my time!" said Constantine, with the calmness -and firmness of mature and deliberate conviction; -"not while I live! The empire shall be mine own. I -will yield my right to no man, human or divine! Let the -Church grow and prepare for future triumph over earthly -sovereignty when the scepter shall be held by some more -weak and nerveless hand than mine. I will govern while -I live, both church and state, in spite of gods or demons!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bishop made no answer. A terrible error into -which he had gone with glad heart and exuberant hope -seemed palpably revealed to him. He was utterly cowed -and humbled. With a crushing sense of self-abasement, -shame, mortification, repentance, almost crime, he realized -the fact that, compared with that colossal man, who amused -himself by playing with the loftiest emotions of the human -soul as he did with his ever-victorious legions--a man who, -under his calm, grand bearing, concealed a devil of -ambition that was ready to mock at all that men hold sacred, -and even to hurl his phalanx against Christ himself--he -felt like a child, a pygmy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With ashy lips he murmured: "Almost thou hast -defied the Son of God! Beware!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, with a singular smile that had in its beauty and -light something of lofty mournfulness, the emperor -answered: "And if I should do so, dear bishop, what then? -Jesus hath no power against me except through thaumaturgy, -and thou dost know that thaumaturgy faded out -when the Church abandoned that communal system upon -which Arius insisteth yet so manfully. I have made my -choice, and will abide the issue, bishop. Thou knowest -that I never was baptized. I might have been a Christian, -but I preferred to reign over the Roman Empire; and I -will reign until the end."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ah! for him, then, with all the glad assurance born of -utter ignorance that such a being could exist among -mankind, the bishop had carefully freighted "the old ship -Zion" with the godless furniture of Roman law and custom, -its statutes of slavery, its laws and usages of war and -conquest, its idolatrous system of private-property rights, -titles, prerogatives, political and social class distinctions -between those whom God made to be brethren, out of -which idolatry the sorrow of the world had grown, from -all of which Jesus had died to ransom a fallen race. He -had unwittingly launched the freighted ship upon the -troubled sea of earthly politics. Thinking that he would -win the Roman Empire for the Church, he had betrayed -and sold the cause of Christ to Constantine. Thinking -that he guided and controlled the emperor, he had labored -with all diligence to make himself the master's slave. He -knew it now only too well--he knew that Constantine -had always known it; and, appalled by the vast resources -of that greatest of mankind, crushed by the sense of his -amazing genius, he seemed unto himself to grow small, -contemptible, and weak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the ship of the Church? Would she go down -forever in the troubled waters, amid the stormy strife for -worldly gains and power? Or would she yet, somehow, -sometime, somewhere, outride the tempests, and in some -unknown and distant clime reach into a safe haven? -"Not in my time," said Constantine; "not while I -live!" When, then?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These bitter meditations were broken by the calm, -sweet voice of Constantine: "Bishop, thou must perceive -for thyself that the radical polity of the primitive -Christianity to which Arius cleaves unswervingly, and which -Ulfilas founded among the Goths so firmly that I had to -send the legions thither to uproot it, was somewhat fanatical, -or at least premature, and not suited to the every-day -life of selfish and wicked men. Thou must perceive, also, -with equal clearness, that the splendid ecclesiasticism -which I have established throughout the Western Empire -in place of the primitive religion is vastly better for -mankind than any system ever before attempted, and that it -should be speedily extended over all the East. What -future, grander developments await the Church, no mortal -can foretell. For the present, I desire of thee to seek -means whereby to fan the flame of this Arian controversy: -it must not die out until it can be summoned before an -imperial council, and receive formal condemnation at the -mouths of all the bishops called into a synod by the -Emperor of the west!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if, when the council shall have been convened, -its members shall sustain Arius, what then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A religious war, perhaps," answered Constantine, -"or a return unto the pagan gods; both dreadful alternatives, -which the Church and the empire should regard with -equal horror. But the council will never so decide. I -answer for its action; only keep thou the flame of -controversy burning until the proper hour arrives!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will contrive means that shall not fail to do so," -answered Eusebius, and, bowing low, at a sign from the -emperor he withdrew, overwhelmed with the perception -of that calm, relentless, almost superhuman sagacity which -Constantine had permitted him to see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea!" murmured Eusebius, "I will fan this flame -of controversy! It shall blaze throughout the Church! -And it may even happen that Constantine, although the -greatest of the human race, is not a match for God. Who -knows? Thaumaturgy may be restored to the Church, or, -even if, as Constantine asserteth, the kingdom of our Lord -was prematurely established, the spiritual truth of the -gospel will sometime educate mankind up to the ultimate -reception of its socialism and politics. And to this end it -shall be my task before I die to organize within the bosom -of the Church sacred brotherhoods, bound by holy ties of -chastity, obedience, and poverty, to keep alive forever the -memory of that communal system upon which Christ -founded his kingdom. At all events, there is no possibility -of going backward now; and more than ever do I desire -to see Constantine obtain the sovereignty of the East. -And now for Nicomedia!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That very day the bishop set out upon his dangerous -mission, to concert measures by which to neutralize the -naval power of the Emperor Licinius.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-prophecy-of-gaius"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE PROPHECY OF GAIUS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Proceeding, therefore, with all diligence, not very -many days afterward, the Bishop of Cæsarea arrived at -Nicomedia, and straightway, by the use of certain secret -means of communication which were well known to all -Christians, he found, and took up his abode with Eusebius -of that city; and they together discussed at great length -what means might be used to neutralize the naval power -of the tyrant Licinius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius of Cæsarea had been absent for many -months, and Constantine had begun to grow impatient -at his long delay, during which he had received no -tidings from the bishop personally, and had heard -nothing concerning him, except that he was quietly residing -in the city with the other Eusebius. And the emperor, -who valued his bishop highly, and enjoyed his companionship -more than that of any other man, began to fear -that the revelation of his own real character and -purposes, which he had made at their last memorable interview, -had alienated his friend forever, and thereby deprived -himself of the services which he deemed to be almost -invaluable. It gave him unmingled pleasure, therefore, to -receive upon a certain day a written message that -"Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia, sent by his brother Eusebius -Pamphilus, craves audience of the emperor." Constantine -eagerly ordered that he be admitted, and, having -dismissed all others, he gave the bishop a very cordial -greeting, and then said, with greatest interest and solicitude: -"Tell me first of all of thy brother, my friend the Bishop -of Cæsarea! Where now is the holy and able man? Is -he well? What doeth he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bishop was somewhat lacking in the courtly elegance -that characterized his brother, but still had a certain -ease born of good sense and honesty of purpose, and he -answered in a straightforward and intelligent way that -pleased Constantine, and enabled him instantly to "take -the measure of the man," and value him at once at his full -worth, a thing he was not always able to do with the other -Eusebius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The bishop, my brother, fared well when I last saw -him. We parted at Nicomedia--he to go unto Alexandria, -'upon the emperor's business,' he said; I to come hither -by his desire. He sendeth love and reverence unto thee, -'the greatest of mankind,' as he saith; and hath sent me -hither because he thought that the things which I am -requested to tell thee ought not to be committed to -writing, nor intrusted to any ordinary messenger. Whenever -thou desirest to hear it, I will briefly narrate what hath -happened at Nicomedia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am alone with thee, bishop, to hear thy report. -Proceed with thy narrative at once. But first be thou -seated, and partake of such refreshments as thou wilt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," answered the bishop, "I need naught except -thine own attention."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then sit thou there, and count upon an eager listener."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The business upon which thy bishop came unto me -having been carefully unfolded by him, the delay therein -was caused by the necessity of sending far beyond Antioch -for a fitting person to accomplish that upon which we had -agreed as necessary for thy service; but it hath been done. -The great fleet of the Emperor Licinius hath been so far -neutralized that not a ship thereof will cross the sea to -molest thy coasts if there should be war. On that thou -mayst implicitly rely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me the means by which this most important -work hath been accomplished; and spare thou no details -of the business: my only wish now is to hear thee fully!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It happened more than a year ago," said the bishop, -"that I received letters from a presbyter at Chalcis, far -beyond Antioch in Syria, concerning a most singular youth -of that village, who was an epileptic--a devout Christian, -but of strange fancies and of extraordinary appearance. -This lad, the presbyter informed me, during the paroxysms -of his disease seemed to be possessed by some sort of a -spirit of divination, and the Church there had vainly -attempted to exorcise the spirit; for thaumaturgy hath -recently been lost. But the presbyter himself had little faith -in his prophetic powers, because he had discovered that it -was possible, by strongly impressing the mind of the youth, -before the paroxysms came upon him, with some peculiar -and striking thought, to anticipate the subject, and often -even the very words, of his supposed prophetic ravings. -Now, when the bishop unfolded to me what he desired to -attempt for thy service, I at once thought of this Syrian -youth, and judged that he might be advantageously used -therein. The sending of a messenger to Chalcis for him -wrought some delay, and, when the messenger reached that -place, the youth had gone elsewhere; and it was a work -of time to discover him, and might, indeed, have been -impossible, but for a certain notoriety bestowed upon him by -the strange misfortune under which he labored. And, after -we had received the youth at Nicomedia, it was a work of -time, and care, and patience, to secure his entire -confidence, and train him properly for the business we had -undertaken. Do I state the matter too minutely for thy -patience?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," said Constantine; "it is wonderfully interesting. -Thou need have no fear that thy narrative will weary -me: I do desire to hear thee fully."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We found by frequent experiments," continued Eusebius, -"that the paroxysms of the youth's disease were not -strictly periodical, but that any sudden, strong emotion -was liable to bring on an attack. We found that when we -had made him memorize certain words beforehand, he was -liable, on the increment of his disease, to repeat just those -words in a sort of chanting tone, the melody and manner -of which were very impressive, even when the words -themselves were unmeaning. We found that he was ready to -do or suffer anything if persuaded that it would be for the -good of the Church. We kept the youth in safe retreat, -carefully secluded, so that he might remain entirely -unknown in Nicomedia. We then constantly assured him -that God was able to accomplish his own designs by using -even the most humble agencies, and that no man had the -right to look upon himself as a being too insignificant to -work for the glory of his Creator; and that even he, -although sorely afflicted, by zeal and faithfulness might be -able some time to perform a great service to the persecuted -Church. He eagerly inquired how that might be, and was -manifestly ready to seek for martyrdom if that had been -the duty enjoined upon him. But we carefully impressed -upon him that all that was required of him was to memorize -and constantly repeat a certain form of words that we -dictated to him; to meditate upon them day and night; -to suffer nothing else to occupy his thoughts; and to wait -in faith and hope the result of this discipline. We -instructed him that, if any one should ask him about the -words he might utter when the fit was on him, to say -nothing, except that he was moved so to speak; if any -should ask him whom he knew in Nicomedia, he was to -answer, 'Eusebius the bishop'; and that in answer to -every question put to him he should tell the exact truth. -We soon found that, whenever he suffered under a -paroxysm of his malady, he would fall to the ground and -presently repeat in that sad, wailing chant that seemed to be -natural to him, the very words which we had dictated to -him, and no others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What words were these?" asked Constantine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The words," replied Eusebius, "were as follows: -'Joy to the land of Syria! Joy to the holy ones of Egypt! for -their deliverer cometh! When the great ships shall -cross the middle sea, the tyrant's power shall fail, and a -holy emperor shall add the East unto his Western Empire! -Joy to Syria and to Egypt, when the great ships shall cross -the middle sea!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Having experimented with the lad until it seemed to -be morally certain that, under the influence of a -paroxysm of his disease, he would chant these words only, we -directed him to go daily to the gate which opened into the -grounds surrounding the imperial palace at Nicomedia, -until he might see the Emperor Licinius about to come -forth, and that then he should boldly force his way -through the gates, at any hazard, without offering -salutations or explanation to any one. This the youth -promised faithfully to do; and it happened that, the first time -he went thither, he saw one whom he supposed to be the -emperor, coming forth accompanied by a throng of -attendants, and he rushed forward so impetuously that the -emperor was compelled to give place to him; and then a -soldier knocked down the poor lad with the pole of his -pike. Licinius stopped to ascertain the meaning of an -intrusion so bold and unusual, and the pain of the blow and -the excitement of the situation brought upon the youth -one of his strange attacks, and while he lay writhing and -twisting about upon the paving-stones, in a loud, weird -voice, whose unearthly melody filled all the place, he -chanted the words that had been taught to him: 'Joy to -the land of Syria! Joy to the holy ones of Egypt! for -their deliverer cometh! When the great ships shall cross -the middle sea, the tyrant's power shall fail, and a holy -emperor shall add the East unto his Western Empire! Joy -to Syria and to Egypt, when the great ships shall cross the -middle sea!' Then a centurion sprang forward, and -would have slain the youth with his sword, but Licinius -waved him off, and stood looking upon the singular lad -with interest and wonder. And the youth flopped up off -of the ground like a fish, and fell back heavily, and almost -immediately resumed his wild, sweet chanting of the -self-same words; and a profound silence obtained until his song -was ended. And very soon that paroxysm passed off, and -the lad arose, and looked about him, as if he knew not -where he was nor how he came to be there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine laughed a low, joyous, almost boyish laugh, -exclaiming: "A superb performance, indeed! A masterly -thing! But continue thy most welcome narrative!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the Emperor Licinius, whose features are -bronzed, and hard, and cruel, looked steadily upon the -abashed young man, saying in a stern, imperious voice, -'Who art thou?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the lad answered, 'I am Gaius, a poor youth -of Chalcis in Syria!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Knowest thou to whom thou art speaking?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Nay, verily,' answered Gaius, 'but I suppose thee to -be the emperor!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'What is thy business in Nicomedia?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I have no business anywhere,' said the lad. 'I am -diseased, an invalid, an epileptic, and am incapacitated -for business. Verily I came unto Nicomedia hoping to be -cured of this fearful malady.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'What brought thee unto our palace-gates?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I came hither to look upon the emperor, having -never seen so great a man; but some cowardly brute did -strike me down with a pike!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Why didst thou chant such things as thou hast done -even in mine own presence?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'What things did I chant? I know not, for the -hard blow brought upon me an attack of the epilepsy, and -while it continueth I know not what I say, but speak only -as I am moved to speak!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'What, then, moveth thee to chant at all?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I know not, nor do I even know that I have done -so, unless some one who hath heard me informeth me -thereof!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Whom knowest thou in my city of Nicomedia?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'None save the Bishop Eusebius!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Art thou, then, a Christian?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Yea! Thanks to the boundless mercy of our Lord!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then said the emperor: 'Let immediate search be -made for this Eusebius, and let him be straightway -brought before me. Keep ye this boy in strictest prison, -but use him kindly; for it may be that he hath a demon!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did not choose to be found upon that day, although -the city was sifted well for that purpose. And upon the -next day, Licinius caused the lad Gaius to be brought -before him, and he spoke kindly unto him, saying: 'Thou -art a strange and interesting youth, and I desire to take -thee into my service, and to attach thee unto myself, and -to care for thee well. Hast thou memory good enough to -keep in thy mind for me a catalogue of more than three -hundred ships?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I know not,' said the lad. 'At school I learned -rapidly and retained well all that I acquired; but I fear -that the malady wherewith I am afflicted hath injured both -mind and body.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Let me test thy memory somewhat to ascertain thy -capacity for the service I would have thee render. Canst -thou name the stations and distances upon the road from -Chalcis unto Antioch, and thence unto the sea?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the boy gave the whole itinerary correctly. -And the emperor asked of him a great many questions -with exceeding affability, and finally said unto him: -'Thou hast a fine, retentive memory, and I will make a -man of thee. See, now, how much thou canst remember of -the song which thou didst twice chant on yesterday!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the lad said: 'I know not the words at all, and -know not that I did chant at all. All that occurreth when -the fit is upon me is blankness and darkness, so that I know -nothing, and suffer not, and if fire were put upon me, I -would not feel any pain so long as the paroxysm continueth!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the emperor gave way to wrath, and shouted -furiously: 'Thou liest, villain! Thou seekest to deceive -me! Repeat thy chant instantly, or I will put thee to -torture to extract the truth!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the boy grew very pale, and trembled, but he -only answered: 'Thou demandest of me that which is -impossible! I do not know the words, and can not repeat -them, though thou shouldst slay me!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then cried out the emperor, 'Bring thumb-screws -hither, and torment this wretch!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then one put upon his thumb that cruel screw, and -twisted hard upon it, and the boy shrieked with pain. -Then the fit came upon him, and he fell headlong upon -the floor, and the torturer removed the screw. And -immediately the boy began, in a clear, sweet voice that filled -the great hall with music, to chant the same words again: -'Joy to the land of Syria! Joy to the holy ones of -Egypt!'--and the emperor sprang forward, and with the -point of a dagger he tore up a finger-nail of the boy, -watching his face intently; but the lad's countenance -changed not, and he continued his chant evenly and -serenely. And the emperor commanded that fire be brought -to him in a brazier, and he laid a coal thereof upon the -boy's naked breast, and blew upon it until the burned flesh -smelled all about, but the boy showed no consciousness of -pain, and continued to chant sweetly until his song was -ended. And for a short space the lad lay as one dead, and -then a strong convulsion contorted his limbs, and lifted -him from the floor, and violently cast him down again; -and then once more he chanted the same words, and the -emperor listened and watched him with fear and wonder. -And when the attack had passed away, Licinius said: 'Let -this boy be guarded carefully, but let him be treated with -the greatest kindness; for surely, beyond any doubt, he -hath a demon!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the lictors with great astonishment and fear led -the boy away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And having been fully informed of all these things -on the same night, by a Christian whom we had allowed -to sacrifice and so retain his place in the palace, for the -good of the Church, upon the next morning went I up to -the gates and boldly demanded admission, declaring to the -centurion on duty who I was, and that I had been -informed that the emperor was seeking me throughout the -city; and speedily they brought me into the presence of -Licinius, and he said, 'Art thou Eusebius, the Bishop of -Nicomedia?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Yea, I am he!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'And like all of thy treasonable sect, that lurk within -my city of Nicomedia, thou art still offering up prayers for -the Emperor Constantine?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Yea, doubtless!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'And thou dost not pray for me, nor propitiate God -for me, thine own lawful emperor, at all?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Yea, daily I pray God for thee that he would soften -thy flinty heart, and turn thee from the devices of -wickedness unto the wisdom of the just!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'But thou prayest not for my prosperity, and for the -glory and perpetuity of mine empire?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Nay, verily. I have no faith to pray for the -triumph of the cruel and of the wicked!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then said he, 'Dost thou know the boy Gaius of -Chalcis?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Yea! He was with me at my house until the third -day past, but he hath disappeared, and I am anxious -concerning him.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Is there anything peculiar about the boy?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'He hath a peculiar and terrible malady called epilepsy!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then attentively regarding me with his hard and -searching eyes, he said, 'Doth the boy prophesy?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'When he hath a paroxysm of his disease he customarily -chanteth strange things which some esteem to be -prophecies; but whether his sayings be truly prophetic or -not I can not inform thee.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Perhaps thou dost remember the words of some of -his pretended prophecies?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Yea, verily! For since he hath been with me he -hath hardly ever chanted anything but a certain song -which I have heard him repeat very often when the -disease taketh him.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Repeat thou those words!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then with a certain show of exultation I chanted the -same words that Gaius had uttered, and, when I had -finished, Licinius cried out fiercely, 'Thou dost believe, -indeed, that the words of Gaius are a sure prophecy, and -thou dost rejoice at my threatened overthrow!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I looked smilingly upon the emperor, but made no -answer; and thereupon he fell into a great rage and said -unto me, grimly enough: 'Thou art a tall man, bishop! -Verily, I think thou art fully a head too tall, and this day -I will reduce thee to a more proper stature by cutting off -thy head'; and when he saw that I was unterrified by this -threat, he added, 'And the boy's head also!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then gazing fixedly upon him, I did say: 'Surely -thou mayst do so, for thou art a blood-soaked, merciless -tyrant enough for any crime. But this deed would make -thee contemptible; for it would prove that thou art not -only a tyrant, but also a fool!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then turning almost livid with suppressed wrath, -he cried out, 'What dost thou mean, thou insolent?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I mean that some years ago when the bold and -eloquent preaching of the brave and righteous presbyter, -Arius the Libyan, did operate to save for thee a large part -of thy fleet, thou didst order that he should never be -molested in the public discharge of the duties of his sacred -office; wherefore, even the Christians, who knew thee to -be a bloody tyrant, and a desecrator of the sacrament of -marriage by an infamous law, and a violator of all the -sanctities and decencies of life, still did give thee credit -for intelligence. But if now thou shalt murder those who, -even unintentionally, have given thee warning in time to -save thy whole navy, all men will regard thee as an idiot.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'How save my whole navy?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'By keeping the ships thereof upon thine own side -of the Mediterranean; for the words are, "</span><em class="italics">when</em><span> the great -ships shall cross the middle sea," and perhaps it may -signify not until </span><em class="italics">then</em><span>?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'By Jupiter Stator,' he answered, vehemently, 'I -think that thou art right! And that accursed "when" -shall never happen. For this honest saying of thine, -thou mayst go hence free, and take the lad Gaius with -thee!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thereupon I withdrew; but I am certainly advised -that his purpose holds good never to send his fleet -across the Mediterranean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How dost thou know that?" asked Constantine, eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We waited many weeks," replied Eusebius, "to obtain -some reliable indications of his purposes; but the -Emperor Licinius is a great commander, and men drilled in -military services talk cautiously even when drunk, as he -frequently is, so that we got nothing. Finally, a centurion -came one night to mine abode, which I had caused to be -publicly known, and with great courtesy informed me -that the emperor had sent him to bring me into his -presence. Having dismissed all others, as if the matter were -most secret, he said: 'I know ye Christian bishops love -not me, and that ye offer prayers for Constantine; yet I do -not think that thou wouldst lie to me. I therefore tell -thee that, since thou wert last before me, I sent an embassy -secretly unto the oracle at Delphi, with many costly gifts, -asking of the oracle what success I would have if I should -send my navy against the Western Empire; and I desire -thee to read and to construe the answer of the god.' Then -he gave unto me a parchment on which was written, -'When the navy of the Emperor Licinius shall pass over -the sea to war with the Emperor Constantine, his empire -shall be overthrown.' I read the oracle, and laughed. -Then said I unto him: 'Like all of the pretended oracles -of the heathen, it is simply an evasion. Of course, if -two great emperors engage in war, one of them must be -overthrown. This oracle saith not which of them. If -the Western Empire be defeated, the priests will say, -"We foretold that." But if the Eastern Empire shall -be subverted, they will just as truly say, "We foretold -that."'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Art thou certain that the language bears one -construction as naturally and grammatically as it does the -other?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Assuredly so! The Latin infinitive mood with the -accusative case possesses a wonderful facility for such a -construction as may signify either one thing or the -other.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then he gave way to sudden wrath, and cried aloud: -'Curses on the lying, cheating oracles by which so many -mighty men have been lured into destruction!' And, -fixing his eyes upon me, he continued, 'Was there any -such ambiguity in what thy boy Gaius chanted?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Nay, verily,' I answered. 'He said, "A holy -emperor shall add the East unto his Western Empire." Thou -canst not add the East unto anything, although -thou mightest add something to the East; but canst add -nothing to the Western Empire, which is not thine own, -and thou art not a "holy emperor!"'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'It is only a cursed trick of the oracle to lure me -on to ruin!' he exclaimed. 'The Emperor Constantine -hath bribed the god to influence me so that he may -invade and overthrow mine empire while my fleet is far -away. I will keep mine own coasts safe with wooden -walls henceforth, and not a ship shall cross the middle sea.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then he said unto me: 'Thou seem'st an honest and -fair-minded man, and henceforth thou may'st practice thy -religion publicly in my city of Nicomedia without fear -or molestation. So fare thee well.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think that this completeth my account, except I -should add that from the very beginning of this matter -the Emperor Licinius hath zealously endeavored to keep -it all profoundly secret, so that it is known to very few."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Constantine unto the bishop: "What didst -thou mean by saying to the emperor, 'The Christians -who knew thee to be a bloody tyrant, and the desecrator -of the sacrament of marriage by an infamous law'? -What law was that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Eusebius answered: "He hath revived the former -law of Maximin, that 'no woman of rank should marry -without the emperor's consent,' and for the same -infamous purpose, </span><em class="italics">ut ipse in omnibus nuptiis proegustator -esset</em><span>; and this licentiousness hath done more to set the -Church against the emperor than even the murder of -the bishops."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How strange," said Constantine, "that men should -think themselves fit to govern an empire who can not even -govern their own brutal passions!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the great emperor indulged in long-continued -laughter, not loud nor vociferous, but quiet, hearty, -joyous, and exultant. But, soon resuming his usual -equanimity, he said unto the bishop: "Thou art the most -welcome messenger that hath ever come unto me since -thy brother of Cæsarea did first visit me in Gaul before -the overthrow of Maxentius. Tell me what great favor -worthy of Rome's emperor I can do for thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Eusebius, with glowing countenance, bent low, -and seizing the emperor's hand he kissed it fervently, -exclaiming, "Stretch forth thy mighty hand, Augustus, -and free the persecuted churches of the East!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine was deeply moved, and answered: "It -shall be done, bishop! Trust me, it shall be done! But -I have given order for thy fitting entertainment, and -while thou shalt rest and refresh thyself, think of some -personal favor I can do for thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius bowed gravely and withdrew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The emperor was alone, seated, buried in profoundest -meditation. For a long time he was silent, and then his -deep thought found utterance in murmured words: "A -wonderful faith, truly, that can bind the heart and -intellect of even able men like the Eusebii in absolute -slavery to an idea, so that Christ and the Church are -first in all their thoughts and purposes; and ease, -comfort, wealth, and power, and even life and death, are -trifling things compared therewith! If any God exists, -these Christians surely have discovered him in Jesus. -But I am sufficient for myself, and need no Deity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he was silent again for some time longer. But -suddenly he gave way to jubilant merriment, murmuring -amid his laughter: "It was a superb farce, that prophecy -of Gaius! Better than the </span><em class="italics">Legio Fulminea</em><span>. -Better even than the Labarum! Surely the fine, Grecian -hand of my Eusebius hath only acquired a more delicate -touch with his advancing years!" And the great -emperor continued to laugh merrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But neither pain nor pleasure ever interfered with -the grand game of empire; and before midnight orders -had been framed and issued by which the veteran legions -of Hispania, Gaul, and Germany were to be gradually -replaced by more recent levies; by which the brave and -hardy Goths were put upon the most rigid military -discipline; and by which all the chosen troops, upon whose -skill and valor the unconquerable leader would be willing -to stake the sovereignty of the world, were slowly -concentrated to the eastward of Milan by a quiet, steady, -unostentatious military movement that consumed months -in its accomplishment and scarcely excited the suspicions -of even the vigilant and intelligent agents of the -Emperor Licinius.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-born-ecclesiastic"><span class="large">CHAPTER V.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A BORN ECCLESIASTIC.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the year A.D. 319, Alexander, the old and pious -Bishop of Alexandria, having become imbued with that -Trinitarianism which began to assume a sort of doctrinal -prominence in the Western Church even from the time -when Constantine had defeated Maxentius and had so -become Emperor of Rome, publicly proclaimed this dogma -wherever he went. During that year, upon one of his -episcopal visits, he preached in the Baucalis church a -sermon which gave great offense to Arius the Libyan, -who was presbyter thereof, and to many of the vast and -opulent congregation. Upon the following Sabbath the -presbyter had delivered an elaborate discourse, in the -course of which he inveighed with great force and -earnestness against some "expounders of new doctrines who -had grown too learned in the philosophy of the world, -and too much in love with the political and legal -religion which had been established in place of Christianity -in the Western Empire to remain satisfied with the -simple, unquestionable statement of the Gospels that Jesus -Christ was the Son of God; and had gone about to -trouble the faith and harass the consciences of believers -by novel and dangerous speculations concerning the nature -of Deity that were not taught in the Scriptures and were -unknown to three centuries of Christian faith and -practice." And, although Arius mentioned not the venerable -bishop by name, no one doubted for whom his fierce -rebuke was intended, and understood perfectly well what -doctrinal deliverances he condemned as "the philosophy -of the world," as "the political and legal religion which -had been established in the Western Empire," and as -"not taught in the Scriptures," and as "unknown to -three centuries of Christian faith and practice." To this -sermon the bishop subsequently replied in language of -even greater vehemence; and before very long there was -a continuous controversy going on between them, in -which numerous Christians engaged on both sides, until -it spread throughout the churches and grew into heated -and sometimes acrimonious disputations. Nearly all the -Romans in Alexandria took part with the bishop, and -urged him earnestly in the prosecution of the -controversy, while the native Christians, for the most part, -clave unto Arius; and the word "foreigner," which -before that time was never applied by one Christian to -another (for they were all brethren), quickly crept into -common use.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superior learning, zeal, and influence of the -presbyter greatly outweighed the personal and episcopal power -of the bishop, and a vast majority of the Alexandrian -clergy and laity sustained the views of Arius as the only -true doctrine of the Scriptures, as approved by the ancient -and constant teachings of the Church; and the controversy -might have sunk into oblivion but for the "foreign" -element, many of whom really seemed to make it their chief -vocation to proclaim the great truth of "the Holy -Trinity," and to utter eloquent panegyrics upon the character -of Constantine the Emperor of Rome. Under these influences -each party steadily maintained its own opinions, and -the matter remained in this condition until Eusebius of -Cæsarea, having parted from the other Eusebius at -Nicomedia, had journeyed unto Alexandria to redeem his -promise made to the emperor that the flame of controversy -should be kept burning until a general council could be -convoked to determine it. Eusebius very soon comprehended -the situation, and speedily reached the conclusion -that even his superior official station and the support of the -"foreigners" would not enable the bishop long to maintain -himself against the vast power and influence of the -presbyter without efficient aid. That, he thought, could -not be effectively rendered except by some man of rare -abilities, who might combine in himself all the -characteristics of a courtier as well as of a priest, for the -"foreign element" was already largely secularized; and -he very anxiously looked about him for some man fit to -be intrusted with the task of upholding the hands of the -venerable Alexander.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course our Eusebius had duly renewed his ancient -friendship for Arius, whom he loved and honored above -all living men, and they had many interesting conversations -upon the condition and prospects of the Church, -and upon the present duties of the faithful pastor. -Eusebius skillfully argued in favor of accommodating -priestly action to the exigencies of social and political -surroundings. Arius would hear of no compromise upon -any point of either faith or practice. "Pontius Pilate," -he vehemently exclaimed, "was the prince of compromisers -when he washed his hands of 'the innocent blood,' -and delivered up our Lord to be crucified! His successors -are in all things worthy of him, seeking both to win -the world by their actions and to save their souls by the -profession of a faith which they do not practice! How -fare ye bishops under the reign of Antichrist--ye that -dwell where Satan's seat is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Church hath prospered beyond all expectation. -The bishops almost rank with princes; the presbyters are -blessed with exceeding comfort and honor, and throughout -the Western Empire the people crowd into the -churches faster than they can be built."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the grim old presbyter's hand waved to and -fro, and his grand, shaggy head darted forward upon the -long, lean neck, and the sad eyes gleamed with strange, -mesmeric light, and his voice hissed with sibilant -sharpness as he exclaimed: "Yea, my brother! And I have -heard that your prince-bishops own slaves and nourish -concubines; and that 'the brethren' hold estates and -offices, and fleece their brethren by the crime of usury; -and that the only difference between Romans who are -Christians and those who are not subsists in the fact -that one class of them patronizes the imperial churches -and professes faith in Christ, and the other does not -degrade itself and dishonor religion by any such shams and -farces! Are these things so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Eusebius winced at this fierce and bitter thrust, but -answered: "Some abuses have crept in among us, in -consequence of our wonderful prosperity, which were -unknown to the severity and simplicity of an earlier age; -but we have many saintly bishops, presbyters, and -people; and the evils of which thou speakest belong not to -the Church, but to the frailty of individuals."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art verily mistaken, brother! Or what dost -thou expect from a statutory religion, from an -established church of which Constantine is king instead of -Christ? I tell thee plainly that a church which -imperial authority hath legalized along with legalized war, -slavery, and mammon-worship, is not only no church of -Christ, but is that Antichrist of which John in the -Apocalypse doth speak. And it shall grow continually -worse and worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I doubt not," answered Eusebius, "that it would -have been better to have preserved primitive Christianity; -but the emperor is so powerful, and ecclesiasticism -hath become insensibly so firmly established, that it is -impossible now to turn back to the original system, -perhaps dangerous to attempt it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, dangerous," said Arius, bitterly. "For -already he hath persecuted the saints, having waged a -cruel war against the Goths to overthrow the church -which Ulfilas planted among them, and force them to -adopt the Roman laws and legal religion. I look -forward every year to see this man of sin build a new -capital, upon seven hills, above the sea, that John's -description of him may be made complete. Thou must -follow thine own counsel, brother. As for me, in life, -in death, I am fixed in unflinching opposition to any -name of blasphemy that may be used to designate a -legal religion that sanctions war, slavery, and -mammon-worship."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Many such conversations occurred between the bishop -and Arius; but Eusebius found that the stern old man -was incapable of compromise, and despised all expediency.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," he would say, "I have been told that ye -Western Christians already believe that charity consisteth -of alms-giving, instead of love to the brethren! ...</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ye foolishly dream of converting the world," he -cried, "by means of a church founded upon Roman -laws, whose faith is a mere intellectual assent and -conviction! But ye will find that instead of securing -liberty, fraternity, equality, ye have only added the bond -of conscience to bind the burdens more tightly upon the -shoulders of mankind, and furnished the new Pharisees -with new power to oppress the poor....</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily," he said, "ye know that faith in Christ -and community of property constituted the liberty of the -gospel wherewith Jesus sought to make man free! But -ye have imported into the very bosom of the Church all -of the tyrannies, injustices, class-distinctions, and wrongs -which constitute mammon-worship and the sorrow of the -world; and there is no difference between your system -and the old religions except that ye have substituted the -name of Christ for that of Jupiter and Mars in juggling -with the rights of man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when Eusebius endeavored to arouse in the stern -old man some considerations of personal prudence, by -intimating the probability that Constantine might some day -rule the East also, the lone and immovable man sternly -answered:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, he will obtain the East! For he alone of all -men hath never failed in diplomacy; hath never -abandoned a purpose; hath never lost a battle, and never -will! He hath sold his soul for earthly glory, and Satan -will pay to him his price."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But although Eusebius loved to commune with the -stern old man, whose stainless integrity of character he -could love and honor, but scarcely imitate, he never -forgot the object of his journey to Alexandria, and was -constantly on the lookout for some one to whom he could -assign the task of aiding the ancient Alexander in his -controversy with the great and fearless presbyter. At -last he fell in with a youth who was an archdeacon in -the bishop's church, and who, although very young, was -possessed of such remarkable genius and learning, and of -such pre-eminent personal advantages, as at once to -attract and astonish him, and seemed to render him the -fittest person to engage. He sedulously cultivated the -young man's friendship, and admired him more and more -as he learned more of his character and abilities. Finally, -he cordially invited the youth to make with him a visit -to Constantine, and having with much difficulty obtained -the consent of the aged Alexander, who loved the bright -and accomplished youth with exceeding tenderness, they -twain departed for Milan. When the long and tedious -journey had been safely accomplished, Eusebius promptly -waited upon the emperor, who received him with fraternal -cordiality.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, thou vagabond friend," he cried, "thou runaway -bishop, whom I had almost given up for lost, give -some good account of thyself, or thou shalt never again -have leave of absence, even for a day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have indeed delayed my return beyond all -expectation," said the bishop; "but I suppose that my -brother of Nicomedia hath imparted all needful information -of thy lost shepherd up to the time at which I set -out for Alexandria."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily," answered Constantine. "And his -narrative was most perspicuous and entertaining, and -eloquent enough to draw my veteran legions from the -remotest quarters of the empire; and even now they are -slowly but steadily concentrating eastwardly, and they -have a certain Oriental bearing in their movements which -would please thee mightily if only thou wert soldier -enough to perceive it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both of the great men indulged in a laugh at this -pleasant sally of the emperor, who continued: "Ah! my -beloved bishop, it was indeed most delicate and superb -work! Thou must henceforth insert into all the copies -of the Apocrypha 'The Prophecy of Gaius of Chalcis,' -but not during the lifetime of the Emperor Licinius, -else he would decapitate mankind to reach thy single -head!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And again the emperor laughed like a boy, and the -bishop joined in his merriment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How hast thou fared in Egypt, bishop? And what -good tidings hast thou brought me thence?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have explored the position of the controversy -between the Bishop Alexander and Arius as thoroughly as -possible. I find that Alexander, who begins greatly to -feel his advanced years, is no match for the learned, -eloquent, and powerful presbyter, and that unless he -receive active, intelligent support, the controversy in Egypt -and Syria will ultimately die out for want of opposition -to Arius. The aged bishop hath been raised too much -under the influence of the mighty causes which molded -the character of Arius himself, to be a fit antagonist for -him; and younger blood, warm with the new age of -Constantine rather than with that of primitive Christianity, -is imperatively required. Thine agents at Alexandria -have been zealous and faithful, but a remarkable man is -needed at that place; less than genius will accomplish -nothing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Such men are rare enough," responded the emperor; -"but surely thou must have discovered at least one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was much troubled to find a fit agent for such a -work, and finally would not decide to fix upon the man -of mine own choice without first having given thee an -opportunity to see and determine for thyself; and, -therefore, I brought him hither with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is the man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is a youth, but little more than twenty years -of age, but, like many of the nameless orphans whom the -Church hath raised, he is very thoroughly educated, -especially in the Scriptures. He hath natural genius for -the ministry and for politics. When he was a child, -the Bishop Alexander saw him one day baptizing other -children in the bay in sport; but the old bishop was so -charmed with the solemn grace and dignity with which -the child performed the sacred rite, that he declared the -ceremony valid and took the children into his own church, -and hath raised and educated this boy with loving care -and patience. He is now an archdeacon of the bishop's -congregation. Thou must not despise his youth, for in -Alexandria, which is perhaps the most intellectual city -of the world, it is commonly believed that this youth is -the most eloquent, the most intelligent, and the most -beautiful of the sons of men. But I would have thee -judge for thyself. If he please thee, I advise that thou -keep with thee the most wise and learned Hosius, and -through him instruct the young archdeacon thoroughly. -I decline to meddle any further in the business, for I -am both the friend of Arius and a stout believer in his -doctrine, and when the time comes will be upon his side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the name of this youthful paragon," said -Constantine, "who hath so mightily bewitched thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At Alexandria they commonly call him the Christian -Apollo; but his name is Athanasius."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou bring him unto me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bishop quietly withdrew, and soon returned and -introduced to the emperor a youth as perfect as an -artist's dream of beauty. He was one of the most perfect -specimens of Egyptian manhood. Small of stature, -seeming to one of the emperor's magnificent proportions to -be almost a dwarf, the expression of his face was of -angelic beauty. There was a hardly perceptible stoop in his -figure which gave him an appearance of native humility; -a hooked nose, clearly chiseled; a small, rosy mouth; -a short, silky beard spreading away into luxuriant whiskers; -light, soft auburn hair; large, bright, serene eyes of -womanly tenderness and purity; and limbs and features -delicately but exquisitely fashioned--all combined to -confer an irresistible charm upon his person and manners. -Eusebius at once withdrew, leaving Constantine alone -with the bright and beautiful boy. The splendid youth, -with a movement free alike from shame and from audacity, -but full of matchless ease and grace, darted forward, -sank lightly down upon one knee, grasped one of the -emperor's hands and kissed it--an act of homage never -exacted, and seldom looked for, from any Christian--and -lifting his soft, luminous eyes toward the emperor's face, -said in tones as liquid and mellow as perfect flute-notes: -"I thank thee, Augustus, that thy kindness satisfieth -one great longing of my heart; for I have desired above -all things to look upon thy face."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The emperor was charmed with the youth's exquisite -manner and wonderful beauty, and gently raising him -replied: "I give thee back thy thanks, lad, for surely -thou art far better worth the seeing than am I. But -why didst thou kneel to me? Most Christians make it a -matter of conscience to kneel to none but God only, and -I have respected their scruples."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I crave pardon if mine obeisance hath been offensive -unto thee," the mellifluous voice replied; "for I -did but offer to thee the homage which my heart hath -taught me to be due from raw but hopeful youth to -mature and glorious manhood; from one of the very -humblest of the people unto the wisest and greatest ruler -of mankind; from a young but sincere and earnest -Christian to the magnificent protector of the Church!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine laid his hand caressingly upon the young -man's glorious head, and, laughing lightly, answered: -"If thy tongue so drippeth honey, lad, the bees will -settle in thy mouth and some time, may be, sting thee. -Art thou so pleasant to all sorts of men?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?" responded the melodious voice. "I -could love all that are good, pity all that are evil, -forgive their injuries, despise their hate, and die, I think, -to do them service if that could benefit mankind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Boy," said Constantine, gravely but pleasantly, "thou -hast uttered the profoundest secret of all true -statesmanship! Who taught thee that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think my teacher hath been Jesus Christ. But I -knew not that this sentiment was statesmanship, for I -have learned it as religion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only a few of the most gifted of mankind," replied -Constantine, "have been wise enough to perceive that true -religion and true statesmanship are twins that can never -be torn apart without fatal injuries to both of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And, therefore," said Athanasius, "it follows that -the wisest emperor must also be the best; and hence the -people of the Western Empire should count themselves -the most fortunate of mankind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If thou dost so believe concerning the Empire of -the West," said Constantine, "perhaps thou wouldst not -decline to enter the service of its emperor in thine own -country. Art thou bound by ties of love or of allegiance -to the great Emperor Licinius?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," replied Athanasius, "I am bound by no -human allegiance other than to obey all laws in force -in the government under which I live that conflict not -with conscience. Nor have I been taught to regard one -earthly sovereign as better than another, except as the -policy of the human ruler may affect the Church -favorably or unfavorably. Nor could any temporal advantages -induce me to abandon the ministry of the Church in -which I hold the humble place of an archdeacon, for I -would choose even a menial service in the temple of God -rather than the most exalted position outside of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then," said Constantine, briefly, "thou dost decline -to enter into my service?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," answered Athanasius. "Thou hast thyself declared -that true religion and true statesmanship coincide -throughout; and I have been taught to regard thee as -both the greatest ruler of mankind and as the strong, -unwavering defender of the faith; so that in place of -declining any services thou mayst require at my hands, I am -ready to give my life for thee; only I can not abandon the -ministry, to which conscience, inclination, and training -have consecrated me; and verily a Christian emperor -hath need of faithful ministers as much as of faithful -generals."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eyes of Constantine sparkled with pleasure as he -answered: "Thou meanest, then, that thou wouldst -labor as zealously for the glory of mine empire within -the pale of the Church as my civil officers do in the -affairs of government, or as my generals do in the -military campaigns?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea, verily!" said Athanasius; "and if it were not -presumptuous in a boy to express an opinion in the -presence of one so wise and great, I would not hesitate -to declare that the victories which thou shalt gain in -aiding the Church shall be less costly, less bloody, and -more permanent, than any which thine invincible arms -can ever gain by the sword; for thou shalt win not only -provinces, but hearts!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Boy," cried Constantine, "thy cunning speech unveileth -the secret dream of every ruler that nature hath -fitted for dominion. For he that swayeth the scepter of -empire only to acquire larger means for the gratification -of his own lust for wealth, ostentation, luxury, and pride, -is but a tyrant, however wise and strong he may be. -The born ruler lives for his people, and, as thou hast -said, can not satisfy his grand ambition unless he shall -conquer hearts as well as provinces."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thy thought is worthy of thy greatness," replied -Athanasius, "and showeth me that the welfare of the -Church and of the emperor must be identical in every -true and proper government, so that priest and soldier -both may labor for its glory."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou define, as thou dost understand it, a true -and proper government?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A true and proper government, as I conceive it -to be, is the just and wise administration of all civil, -military, and ecclesiastical authority by one supreme -ruler."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The splendid face of Constantine grew bright with -pleasure as he heard this concise and luminous reply; -but desiring still further to draw out the young man's -views, to which his use of the word "ecclesiastical" -(entirely new to the emperor) gave a particular value, -he answered as follows: "And which dost thou think to -be of supreme authority, the civil, military, or -ecclesiastical power?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neither of them separately," replied Athanasius. -"But only the ruler, that standeth in the place of God, -should be supreme. It would be gross tyranny for the -military authority to dominate the civil administration; -it would be gross impertinence for the ecclesiastical -authority to direct the armies of the empire; it would -be confusion for either of them to interfere with the -domain of another. Each should operate in its appropriate -sphere, and the ruler whom God hath given should direct -the movements of them all. For he standeth in the -place of God."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yet," muttered Constantine to himself, "the heretic -Arius saith that it is a blasphemy for any man to seek -to stand in that high place, which belongeth unto Christ -alone!" But unto Athanasius he presently made answer: -"Thou hast wisdom far beyond thine age; but in regard -to these things thou dost not agree well with the -opinions of the most wise and learned presbyter, Arius the -Libyan!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Athanasius remained silent for some moments, looking -up into the face of the tall emperor, who was watching -his beautiful countenance with interest and curiosity, and -a strange, almost indefinable expression lighted his sparkling -features. The red lips parted and very slightly curled, -but not with scorn or dislike. He had the very same -expression, perhaps, that the face of some beautiful young -girl might wear if a grandmother, whom she loved and -revered, should begin to lecture her upon the observance -of some propriety which the world had outgrown since -the ancient dame had been a maiden of her own age. -At last he said: "Nay, verily. The presbyter Arius -surpasseth all living men in personal holiness; but his -holiness is stern, ascetic, forbidding. He surpasseth all -men in learning; but his learning laboreth to blight and -destroy all the rare flowers of sentiment wherewith art, -science, and philosophy seek to adorn and beautify the -faith. He is the most earnestly Christian of all men; -but his religion is hard, exacting, exclusive, and refuseth -to blend with the performance of the duties of faith the -light and human tenderness that endeareth piety unto -the hearts of common men. He saith that the kingdom -of heaven is the only government that our Lord -established upon earth; that the Christian hath need of no -other; and that to own allegiance to an earthly -sovereign, or blend his laws with our religion, is to betray -the Christ. He belongeth to a past age and to a -vanishing system, and while he is one of the ablest, purest, -most admirable Christians in the world, he is not, and -never will be, an ecclesiastic. He hath been reared up -in an age of miracles and martyrdoms, and can not -comprehend the world as it is, nor the Church as it must be -and is fast becoming."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine regarded the gifted youth with wonder -and delight, and listened with joy and amazement while -the fresh and silvery tongue struck out, in forms of -speech as clear and beautiful as the last coins issued -from the royal mint, thoughts which he had himself long -cherished and acted upon, but had never been able to -conceive so perspicuously as the young archdeacon -uttered them. The emperor then said, "Thou adoptest -the opinions of the most learned and pious Bishop Alexander -rather than those of the primitive, inflexible, and -turbulent presbyter, dost thou not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only to a limited extent," answered the musical -voice of Athanasius. "For our venerable bishop himself -is ancient, and agreeth in many things with the -presbyter. Truly, the great advantage that Arius hath over -him consisteth in the fact that they have attended the -same councils and witnessed the same events together, -and the presbyter doth continually affirm this thing or -that, and sayeth unto the bishop: 'Thou, also, wast then -present; is it true, or not, as I have stated it?' And -the bishop answereth, 'That thing I deny not, for it is -true.' And then, as the report of the thunder followeth -the lightning's flash, the fierce presbyter's conclusion -striketh and overwhelmeth him. Thou canst scarcely -understand how all this may be, unless thou hast seen -men and women burned at the stake thyself, and hast -heard their testimony, sifting through the flames, that -they obeyed Jesus Christ, the only rightful King, whence -they were called </span><em class="italics">martyrs</em><span>, that is, </span><em class="italics">witnesses</em><span>; but both -Alexander and Arius have beheld such things, and the -influence thereof abideth with them forever."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then answered Constantine: "I thank God this day -that I have seen no such events, and that no man under -mine own government, or under that of my father, the -most holy Emperor Constantius, hath ever seen them. -But whence, then, hast thou learned thy views of the -relation that ought to subsist between the Church and -the emperor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Chiefly from mine own thoughts, which many circumstances -have provoked to activity, especially the efforts -I have made to aid our venerable bishop. Long ago, in -one of our social gatherings, when Arius did press the -bishop fiercely upon the point that Christians must have -naught to do with any government except the kingdom -of heaven, which Jesus ordained for them, I arose and -asked permission to put a question, which being granted, -I said, 'If Tiberius Cæsar had been a Christian, would -not our Lord have rejoiced to see him rule the world?' And -for some time the fierce man was silent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what answer did he ever make?" asked Constantine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He said at last: 'And if the little foxes that -destroy the vines could have asked foolish questions in -Greek, would Moses have pronounced the animals -unclean?' And I said: 'But the foxes never speak in -Greek; it is contrary to the law of nature.' And he -said to me: 'Neither can an emperor be a Christian; -it is contrary to the law of Christ, which ordaineth -equality, liberty, and fraternity for all believers.' And -those of his party thought the answer to be sufficient. -But, notwithstanding, I did follow the leading of mine -own thoughts, and many things grew out of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let not thy thoughts change their course," replied -Constantine; "for thou art altogether right. Thou -shalt be my friend: remember that thou art young, and -that the pious Alexander groweth very old; so that, in -the course of nature, thou mayst live to see the -episcopal throne at Alexandria vacant; or if they have no -throne there yet, one shall some day be established. But -thou hast charmed me into the neglect of other duties. -Go, now, and come again on to-morrow at the same hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the beautiful boy again glided forward, lightly -kneeled and kissed the emperor's hand, and smilingly -withdrew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And for many months afterward Constantine kept the -young man Athanasius with him, and also Hosius, the -venerable and learned Bishop of Cordova; and daily -the youth passed some hours in conversation with the -emperor or with the bishop, or with both of them -together; so that when he returned to Alexandria his bright -and wonderful intelligence was enlarged and enlightened -by the foremost thoughts concerning things both royal -and ecclesiastical that any men of that age could teach -him. And the youth bore with him a most kind and -affectionate letter written to the ancient Bishop -Alexander by Constantine's own hand, and also a beautiful -communion service of silver for his church. And -Athanasius said unto Constantine almost at the moment of -his departure, "Shall I deliver unto Arius for thee any -message?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Constantine laughingly answered: "If the presbyter -inquire of thee, thou mayst inform him that the -emperor said of him, 'There are no birds in last year's -nests.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Arius the presbyter never asked Athanasius -anything about the emperor. Even when the stern old man -was told that Athanasius had been to Milan, and had for -months abode in the emperor's palace, he only said: "The -stature and Roman strength which enableth Constantine -to cope with German, Briton, and Gaul, is fitly joined -to the subtilty, beauty, and intelligence by which -Athanasius typifieth the countless centuries of Egyptian -civilization; and the two, like Herod and Caiaphas, combine -against our Lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the date of the return of Athanasius, men -perceived that the Bishop Alexander became more open and -explicit in his definitions of the Holy Trinity, more -pointed in his opposition to the teachings of Arius, more -eloquent in his praises of any pious emperor whom God -might raise up to free the Christians of the East and -identify his government with the Church. And Arius, -having publicly taught that the unity of the Godhead -consisted in the divine nature of Father, Spirit, and -Son, and not in any blasphemous and impossible -conception of the identity of them, or of their union in -one person, just as the human family consisteth of -father, mother, and son; and having gone so far as to -write in a little metrical book of doctrine that "God -was, when Christ was not"; that "God was not always -Father"; and that the words "Father" and "Son," -"begotten" and "conceived," necessarily implied the -"priority" of him that begat, and of her that conceived--was -by the Bishop Alexander ordered to suspend the -exercises of his functions as presbyter of the Baucalis -church. And, thereupon, the Libyan called his -congregation together and said unto them: "Brethren, -Alexander the bishop hath issued an order to suspend me -from the performance of my duties as presbyter because -I do not believe, and have refused to teach, his -impossible, novel, Western, unscriptural philosophy concerning -that which he calleth 'the Holy Trinity,' a phrase not -found in Scripture. Ye know that the title to the -Baucalis church was placed by the martyr Theckla, who -caused it to be erected, in certain trustees of the common -Church, not in the bishop, for in those days the bishops -owned nothing. Ye know that the original members of -this community (many of whom still live) called me to -be the presbyter, and that I have discharged the duties of -that place as faithfully as I was able to do by the space -of nearly thirty years. None but the trustees have -authority or right to close the church against me or my -community; and I am well advised by diligent searching of -the Scriptures, and by the Christian practices of three -centuries, that no bishop hath any authority to suspend -a presbyter, and that the order made by Brother -Alexander in that behalf is puerile and void. I purpose, -therefore, to continue the usual ministrations of divine -service, and all my pastoral work among you, until the -Church shall bid me to abstain; and ye who may desire -so to do, can continue to attend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The trustees of the Baucalis church promptly refused -to close its doors upon Arius, and his entire congregation -remained steadfastly devoted to him; and Bishop -Alexander and those who followed him denounced the Libyan -as a "heretic," and began to pray for the coming of -Constantine; and wherever the influence of the Roman -Empire was dominant, the "Arian heresy" was condemned; -and the flame of controversy grew fiercer and -fiercer, and spread throughout Christendom.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-one-great-battle-of-christendom"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE ONE GREAT BATTLE OF CHRISTENDOM!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During the progress of these affairs, Constantine had -thoroughly satisfied himself, by the reports of his secret -political agents in Nicomedia and elsewhere, that the -assurances which the Eusebii had given to him that Licinius -would not in any event move his fleet away from the coasts -of Asia were entirely trustworthy. The overthrow of the -Gothic church, which had been founded and edified by -Ulfilas, had been followed by a treaty of peace with that -splendid people, whereby they had bound themselves to -furnish, whenever the service of the emperor required it, -forty thousand young men for the imperial army; these -legions had long ago been supplied, armed, and thoroughly -exercised, and constituted in themselves a magnificent -army. The emperor had been triumphant everywhere. -"Confiding in the superiority of his genius and military -power," saith the historian Gibbon, "he determined, -without any previous injury, to exert them for the -destruction of Licinius, whose advanced age and unpopular vices -seemed to promise an easy conquest. But the old -emperor, awakened by the approaching danger, deceived the -expectations of his friends as well as enemies. Calling -forth that spirit and those abilities by which he had -deserved the friendship of Galerius and the imperial purple, -he prepared himself for the contest, collected the forces -of the East, and soon filled the plains of Hadrianople with -his troops, and the straits of the Hellespont with his fleet. -The army consisted of one hundred and fifty thousand -foot and fifteen thousand horse. The fleet was composed -of three hundred and fifty galleys of three ranks of oars.... -The troops of Constantine were ordered to rendezvous -at Thessalonica. They numbered above one hundred and -twenty thousand horse and foot. Their emperor was -satisfied with their martial appearance, and his army -contained more soldiers, though fewer men, than that of his -eastern competitor. The legions of Constantine were -levied in the warlike provinces of Europe; action had -confirmed their discipline; victory had elevated their -hopes, and there were among them a great number of -veterans, who, after seventeen glorious campaigns under the -same leader, prepared themselves to deserve honorable -dismissal by a last effort of their valor. But the naval -preparations of Constantine were in every respect much -inferior to those of Licinius. The maritime cities of Greece -sent their respective quotas of men and ships to the -celebrated harbor of Piræus, and their united forces consisted -of no more than two hundred small vessels.... </span><em class="italics">It is -only surprising</em><span> that the Eastern emperor, </span><em class="italics">who possessed so -great a superiority at sea</em><span>, should have neglected this -opportunity of carrying an offensive war into the center of -his rival's dominions. Instead of embracing such an -active resolution, </span><em class="italics">which might have changed the whole face -of the war</em><span>, the prudent Licinius expected the approach -of his rival in a camp near Hadrianople, which he fortified -with an anxious care that betrayed his apprehensions of the -event. Constantine directed his march from Thessalonica -toward that part of Thrace, till he found himself stopped -by the broad and rapid stream of the Hebrus, and discovered -the numerous army of Licinius, which filled the steep -ascent of the hill, from the river to the city of -Hadrianople. Many days were spent in doubtful skirmishes; -but at length the obstacles of the passage and of the attack -were removed by the intrepid conduct of Constantine.... -The valor and danger of Constantine are attested by a -slight wound which he received in the thigh; but ... the -victory was obtained no less by the conduct of the -general than by the courage of the hero; for a body of five -thousand archers marched round to occupy a thick wood -in the rear of the enemy, whose attention was distracted by -the building of the bridge; and Licinius, perplexed by so -many artful evolutions, was reluctantly drawn from his -advantageous post to combat on equal terms in the plain. -The contest was no longer equal. His confused multitude -of new levies was easily vanquished by the veterans of the -West. Thirty-four thousand men are reported to have -been slain. The fortified camp of Licinius was taken by -assault the evening of the battle; the greater part of the -fugitives, who had retired to the mountains, surrendered -themselves the next day to the discretion of the conqueror; -and his rival, who could no longer keep the field, -confined himself within the walls of Byzantium. The siege -of Byzantium, which was immediately undertaken by -Constantine, was attended with great labor and uncertainty. In -the late civil war, the fortifications of that place, so justly -considered as the key of Europe and Asia, had been -repaired and strengthened; and </span><em class="italics">as long as Licinius remained -master of the sea</em><span>, the garrison was much less exposed to -the danger of famine than the army of the besiegers. The -naval commanders of Constantine were summoned to his -camp, and received his positive orders to force the passage -of the Hellespont, </span><em class="italics">as the fleet of Licinius, instead of -seeking and destroying their feeble enemy, continued inactive -in those narrow straits, where its superiority of numbers -was of little use or advantage</em><span>. Crispus, the emperor's -eldest son, was intrusted with the execution of this daring -enterprise, which he performed with so much courage and -success that he deserved the esteem, and most probably -excited the jealousy, of his father. The engagement -lasted two days; and in the evening of the first, the -contending fleets, after considerable mutual loss, retired to -their respective harbors in Europe and Asia. The second -day, about noon, a strong south wind sprang up, which -carried the vessels of Crispus against the enemy, and as -this casual opportunity was improved by his skillful -intrepidity, he soon obtained a complete victory. For the -current always sets out of the Hellespont, and, when it is -assisted by a north wind, no vessel can attempt the -passage, but a south wind renders the force thereof almost -imperceptible. One hundred and thirty vessels were -destroyed, five thousand men were slain, and Amandus, the -admiral of the fleet, escaped with the utmost difficulty to -the shores of Chalcedon. As soon as the Hellespont was -open, a plentiful convoy of provisions flowed into the -camp of Constantine, who had already advanced the -operations of the siege. He constructed artificial mounds of -earth of equal height with the ramparts of Byzantium. -The lofty towers which were erected on that foundation -galled the besieged with large stones and darts from the -military engines, and the battering-rams had shaken the -walls in several places. If Licinius persisted much longer -in the defense, he exposed himself to be involved in the -ruin of the place. Before he was surrounded, he -prudently removed his person and his treasures to Chalcedon, -in Asia.... Such were the resources and such the abilities -of Licinius, that, after so many successive defeats, he -collected in Bithynia a new army of fifty or sixty thousand -men, while the activity of Constantine was employed in -the siege of Byzantium. The vigilant emperor did not, -however, neglect the last struggles of his antagonist. A -considerable part of his victorious army was transported -over the Bosporus in small vessels, and the decisive -engagement was fought soon after their landing on the -heights of Chrysopolis, now called Scutari. The troops -of Licinius, though they were lately raised, ill armed, and -worse disciplined, made head against the conquerors with -fruitless but desperate valor, till a total defeat, and a -slaughter of five-and-twenty thousand men, irretrievably -determined the fate of their leader. He retired to -Nicomedia, rather with the view of gaining some time for -negotiation, than with the hope of any effectual defense. -Constantia, his wife, the sister of Constantine, interceded -with her brother in favor of her husband, and obtained -from his policy, rather than from his compassion, a solemn -promise, confirmed by an oath, that, after the resignation -of the purple, Licinius should be permitted to pass the -remainder of his life in peace and affluence.... By this -victory of Constantine the Roman world was again united -under one emperor, thirty-seven years after Diocletian had -divided his power and provinces with his associate -Maximian.... The foundation of Constantinople, and the -</span><em class="italics">legal establishment</em><span> of the Christian religion, were the -immediate and memorable consequences of this revolution."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If the victory had been otherwise, the face of history -might have been entirely changed: the Christian -communities might have been permitted to maintain their -original communal organization, at least in the Eastern -Church, and Christ might still have had a kingdom -upon earth. If Licinius had employed his naval -superiority in offensive war, instead of keeping it cooped up -under the shores of Asia, "in those narrow straits where -its superiority of numbers was of little use or -advantage," the probabilities are that he might have -maintained his power at least in the East; but the Eusebii -had "neutralized" the mighty fleet by that which -Constantine denominated "the prophecy of Gaius of -Chalcis," and Christianity was subverted everywhere, and the -"legal establishment" of Constantine usurped its place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Almost immediately Constantine proceeded to mark -out the boundaries of the city--Constantinople--which -prescient John had seen from rocky Patmos; and he -traced the boundaries thereof, going on foot with a spear -in his hand, and declared that in so doing he was -acting in obedience to the directions of God; and when -those who were with him remonstrated against his tracing -so vast a space for a city, the emperor replied: "I -shall advance till He, the invisible guide who marches -before me, thinks proper to stop." And so he laid off -the boundaries of the city upon seven great hills, which -included the ancient site of Byzantium, and soon began -to lay the foundations, and to plan and to build the -palaces, theatres, circus, amphitheatre, and churches of -Constantinople.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About the same time the emperor became greatly -interested in the preparation of new copies of the -Scriptures, and especially of the epistles of John; and he -had learned clerks and skillful writers constantly -employed in making copies in the new, running Greek -text, which was lately come into use, and was more easy -and beautiful than the uncial letters of an earlier age; -and he distributed them to the bishops throughout the -Roman Empire. And next he sent letters to all of -the bishops, requesting them to meet in a solemn -council of the whole Christian Church, at the city of Nicea, -upon a designated day, in order to discuss and settle the -disputed questions by which the world was agitated. -And in conformity with this royal request, or order, in -the year 325 was assembled the most remarkable body -of men that the exigencies of political or religious life -hath ever convened together in the history of the world; -for it was the first oecumenical council ever called in -Christendom, those which had preceded it having been -assembled by the Christian bishops, of their own accord, -and not by the authority of a prince or emperor, whose -power was said to rule the habitable earth -([Greek: </span><em class="italics">Oikouméne</em><span>]).</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The letter which Constantine addressed to the bishops -was as follows: "That there is nothing more honorable -in my sight than religion is, I believe, manifest to every -man. Now, because the Synod of Bishops at Ancyra, -of Galatia, consented formerly that it should be so, it -hath now seemed unto us, on many accounts, that it -would be well for it to be assembled at Nice, a city of -Bithynia; because the bishops of Italy, and of the rest -of the countries of Europe, are coming, and because of -the excellent temperature of the air, and because I shall -be at hand as a spectator and participator of what is -done. Wherefore I signify to you, my beloved brethren, -that ye, all of you, promptly assemble at the city I -spoke of, that is Nice. Let every one of you, therefore, -diligently inquire into that which is profitable, in -order that, as I before said, without any delay, we may -speedily come to be a present spectator of those things -which are done by the same. God keep you, my -beloved brethren!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The reasons assigned by the emperor for calling the -Council of Nicea were first and chiefly that "the Synod -of Ancyra" (which had been called by the bishops -without the interference of any secular authority) "had -formerly consented" to meet in a general council at -Nice, and that "the bishops of Italy and of Europe -would be there," and that "the air of the place was of -an excellent temperature," and that their coming into -Bithynia would afford the emperor an opportunity to be -"a spectator of their proceedings." There was no -intimation given that the emperor desired to preside over -their council, or to control its action, or to force its -deliberations to assume any political significance -whatever, or to compel it to take such action as must -inevitably result in the subversion of the Christian polity -and the establishment of an entirely different church -system. The letter was based first upon the consent -given by the Council of Ancyra and then upon matters -of expediency, and in no respect did it question the -absolute right of the bishops to meet where they might -please, and to deliberate without the intermeddling of -secular authority. So, at least, it seemed to all the -bishops of the Eastern Church, except a small number -who had been, to a greater or less degree, leavened by -the leaven of ecclesiasticism. On the face of it the letter -was as full a recognition of the freedom of the bishops, -and as full a recognition of the Christian polity which -had for three centuries held all property in common, as -was the celebrated Edict of Milan, in which Constantine -and Licinius had united in commanding the officers of -the Roman world to restore the property of Christians -as </span><em class="italics">communal</em><span> property, the language of that edict being -as follows: "All of which will be necessary to be -delivered up </span><em class="italics">to the body of the Christians</em><span> without delay. -And since the Christians themselves are known to have -had not only those places where they were accustomed -to meet, but other places also, </span><em class="italics">belonging not to -individuals among them</em><span>, but to the </span><em class="italics">right of the whole body</em><span> of -Christians, you will also command all these, by virtue -of the law before mentioned, without any hesitation, to -be restored to the same Christians, </span><em class="italics">that is to their body</em><span>, -and to </span><em class="italics">each conventicle separately</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But already the bishops of the Western Empire, with -Hosius and Eusebius at their head, had come to -understand that while Constantine cared little about any -matter of faith, he had determined to utterly destroy -the Christian polity, especially in regard to communism -and the refusal of Christians to bear arms. The regulations -by which their journeys were governed prescribed -that they should come at the emperor's expense, and -that "each bishop should be accompanied by a retinue -of two presbyters and three slaves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At and near the appointed time there were bishops -and presbyters assembled from the four quarters of the -world--from Persia and from Gaul, from Scythia and -from Africa. There were many who were the victims -of pagan persecutions, and still bore in their own -persons the marks of the tortures to which they had been -subjected. This one had lost an eye, gouged out by the -torturer's sword or pincers; that one had the sinews of -his leg seared with hot iron to keep him from escaping -from the mines, to which he had been condemned for -the crime of being a Christian; and the other had had -the flesh scraped off his ribs by the instruments of -torture. Of the whole number present, it was believed that -only the eleven who came from the remotest East had -escaped mutilation in some ghastly form.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arius, although not a bishop, was there by the express -order of Constantine, who could always sleep upon -his vengeance, but never could forget nor forego it. -The place of the assembly's sessions was a great hall in -the imperial palace of Nicea. The bishops and presbyters, -assembled upon the emperor's order, traveling at -his expense, to the immediate vicinity of Nicomedia, -then the imperial residence, into a royal palace, and fed -by his bounty, were from the very first the creatures of -Constantine, so far as complete control of the political -significancy of religion could make them so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The emperor had only two great purposes to accomplish -in patronizing the Church and engineering the -council: one of which was to make the Eastern Church -as willingly and thoroughly dependent upon the imperial -authority as he had already practically made that of the -West, and to render it as much a bulwark of his government; -the other was to render this condition of things, -in appearance at least, the spontaneous and inspired action -of a free conclave of bishops.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the theological verity of their doctrines or -practice, the royal atheist cared not a denarius. His -object was to make the Church as much a part of the -imperial power as a legion might be, its bishops as much -his agents and servants as the military officers; and to -uproot and cast out the only essential features of -Christianity which tended to segregate the Christians into a -separate and distinct body in the empire, by subverting -"the kingdom of heaven" with its communistic -organization, that excluded war, slavery, and -mammon-worship from the communities of the faithful, so that -no man should feel that because he was a Christian he -was therefore more free, or less a subject of the -empire! This he proposed to do by inducing the council -to define the faith and prescribe temporal penalties for -heresy, which were to be enforced by the emperor's -authority, just as were the judgments of the magistrates -against violators of the criminal laws: the action of the -council was to make an offense against the Church a -crime against the imperial law. Subject to the -accomplishment of these purposes, he really desired that they -might reach conclusions as nearly unanimous as possible; -for he was as anxious to avoid the creating of parties -and classes in the Church as he was to avoid sowing -discord among his other subjects.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon the assembling of the council, Eusebius of Cæsarea, -"in metrical prose, if not in actual verses, recited -an address to the emperor, and then a hymn of thanksgiving -to the Almighty for the victory over Licinius." Thereupon -Constantine addressed the council in the Latin -language, which his dragoman immediately interpreted -into Greek, as follows: "It has, my friends, been the -object of my highest wishes to enjoy your sacred company, -and, having obtained this, I confess my thankfulness to -the King of all that, in addition to all my other blessings, -he has granted to me this greatest of all--I mean, to -receive you all assembled together, and to see one, common, -harmonious opinion of all. Let, then, no envious enemy -injure our happiness, and, after the destruction of the -impious power of the tyrants by the might of God our -Saviour, let not the spirit of evil overwhelm the divine -law with blasphemies: for to me far worse than any war -or battle is the civil war of the Church of God--yea, far -more fearful than the wars which have waged without. -As, then, by the assent and co-operation of a higher -power, I have gained my victories over my enemies, I -thought that nothing remained but to give God thanks, -and to rejoice with those who have been delivered by me. -But since I learned of your divisions, contrary to all -expectation, I gave the report my first consideration; and, -praying that this also might be healed through my -assistance, I called you all together without delay. I rejoice -at the mere sight of your assembly: but the moment that -I shall consider the chief fulfillment of my prayers will be -when I see you all joined together in heart and soul, -and determining on one peaceful harmony for all, which -it should well become you, who are consecrated to God, to -preach to others. Do not, then, delay, my friends; do -not delay, ministers of God, and good servants of our -common Lord and Saviour, to remove all grounds of -difference, and to wind up, by laws of peace, every link of -controversy. Thus will you have done what is most -pleasing to the God who is over all, and you will render the -greatest boon to me your fellow-servant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The council was now formally opened, and the emperor -gave permission to the presidents of the assembly to -commence their proceedings"; and the Bishops of Alexandria, -Cordova, Antioch, and Cæsarea, were chosen to preside -over their deliberations: of whom Hosius, Alexander, -and Eusebius, were politicians thoroughly imbued with the -ecclesiastical spirit and purposes of the emperor, although -the last-named bishop was the warm personal friend of -Arius, and a follower of his theological tenets. Constantine -himself assumed the functions of a bishop, and participated -in all their debates, "directing all his energies to that one -point which he himself described as his aim--a unanimity -of decision" as to all merely theological disputes. For, -even before the council had met, innumerable complaints -of one bishop against another had been placed in his -hands; so that he was satisfied that one great design he -had in view was already accomplished: for this fact -showed that already they regarded him as the ultimate -judge--the real source of all authority in the Church -(instead of Christ), as truly as he was in the state. All of -these complaints, therefore, he publicly burned in their -presence, with a solemn oath that he had not read any of -them, and he said, "It is the command of Christ that -he who desires to be himself forgiven, must first forgive -his brother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the very strongest proof that the emperor was -lying, was the fact that he made oath to his statement; and -perhaps there was not a thing named in any of the -complaints, that could give him a hold upon any bishop, that -was not carefully preserved.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first matter which came before this august -assembly was the question whether the Christian passover -("Easter") should be celebrated on the same day with the -Jewish (the fourteenth day of the month Nisan), or on the -following Sunday. And the bitter feeling of many of the -Christians that "the celebration of it on the same day -that was kept by the wicked race that put the Saviour to -death was an impious absurdity," on one side, and the -reverence on the other side for a custom which had come -down from the apostles, gave rise to a long controversy -on the subject; but it was finally "determined -by common consent" that the ancient custom should -be set aside, and the more recent Christian practice established.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During these proceedings, Arius the Libyan took no -part whatever in the discussions or business of the -council, but sat as a quiet and attentive spectator of their -deliberations. Many of them, knowing his great erudition -and holy character, consulted him privately, and he fully -gave them the benefit of his learning and opinions. Arius -was now sixty years of age, and was greatly changed from -the bright and happy youth whom we knew at Baucalis; -greatly changed even from the broken-hearted but -ever-diligent, earnest, and eloquent presbyter of the earlier -years of his ministry at Alexandria. "He is tall and -thin, apparently unable to support his stature; he has an -odd way of contorting and twisting himself, which his -enemies compare to the wrigglings of a snake. He would -be handsome, but for the emaciation and deadly pallor of -his face, and a downcast look imparted by a weakness of -eye-sight. At times his veins throb and swell, and his -limbs tremble, as if suffering from some violent internal -complaint, the same, perhaps, that will terminate one day -in his sudden and frightful death. There is a wild look -about him, that is at first sight startling. His dress and -demeanor are those of a rigid ascetic. He wears a long -coat with short sleeves, such as the monks wore to indicate -that their hands were not made for injury, and a scarf -of only half size, such as was the mark of an austere life; -and his hair hangs in tangled masses about his head. He -is usually silent, but at times breaks out into fierce -excitement, such as will give the impression of madness. -Yet with all this there is a sweetness in his voice, and a -winning, earnest manner, which fascinate those who come -across him. Among the religious ladies of Alexandria he -is said to have had from the first a following of not less -than seven hundred. This strange, captivating, moon-struck -giant is the heretic Arius, or, as his adversaries -call him, the madman of Ares, or Mars": and the description -given here of him is not that of a partisan of his own, -but of a Trinitarian ecclesiastic.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Many sittings of the council passed, day after day, in -which the paschal controversy, the Melitian schism, and -other matters of a theological character, were discussed -and determined, but the heretic remained utterly silent. -He was ever ready to give aid, advice, counsel, and furnish -references to authorities, to those who applied to him, but -not once did he open his lips to speak to the assembly. -But the purpose of Constantine to crush him wavered -not, and the emperor had one rare quality--he knew how -to wait.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One evening, after the close of the council's daily -session, the ancient Bishop Alexander, accompanied by his -young Archdeacon Athanasius, was proceeding toward his -lodgings, when Marcellus, the Bishop of Ancyra, accosted -him: "Hail, bishop! From what thou didst tell me of -his fierce, aggressive nature, I am astonished to find that -the Libyan madman continueth so quiet. How is it that -thou hast called him vehement, fierce, eloquent, and -controversial?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hath some secret end in view," replied the -bishop, "and I can not fathom his purposes. But on -to-morrow, Athanasius, who speaketh for me in the council, -shall provoke him to some reply, and thou mayst then -judge of his quiet disposition for thyself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good enough," said Marcellus. "No man can pick -a quarrel with an oyster that keepeth its shell closed."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-subversion-of-the-primitive-church"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE SUBVERSION OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the next meeting of the council, Hosius, Bishop of -Cordova, offered a resolution that the Church should make -a decree requiring all the married clergy to separate from -their wives and lead lives of celibacy. Some objected to -this, on the ground that the practice of the Church had -never prohibited the marriage of clergymen of any rank; -others insisted on adopting the rule, because clerical -marriages, besides other inconveniences, would tend to make -the office of bishop an hereditary one, and so elevate -improper persons to that sacred place. But the chief -opposition "came from a most unexpected quarter. From -among the Egyptian bishops stepped out into the midst, -looking out of his one remaining eye, and halting on -his paralyzed leg, the old hermit-confessor, Paphnutius. -With a roar of indignation rather than a speech, he broke -into the debate: 'Lay not this heavy yoke on the clergy. -Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled. By -exaggerated strictness you will do the Church more harm -than good. All can not bear such an ascetic rule. The -wives themselves will suffer from it. Marriage itself is -continence. It is enough for a man to keep from -marriage after he has been ordained, according to the ancient -custom, but do not separate him from the wife whom once -for all he married when he was a layman!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His speech produced a profound impression. His -own austere life and unblemished celibacy gave force to -every word he uttered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The resolution, or proposition, was voted down, but -the discussion of it gave Athanasius the opportunity he -wanted. Having arisen with that almost irresistible grace -and suavity which distinguished him, the beautiful young -man, in a light, musical, mocking tone, that must have -been terribly irritating to a grave and reverend presbyter -like Arius, spoke as follows: "I greatly marvel, brethren, -that we have not enjoyed the benefit of that princely -readiness and strength in debate for which the very -learned presbyter Arius hath so great reputation, upon -this important question. Surely a minister who is reputed -to have at his beck and call, day or night, rain or shine, -more than seven hundred virgins and widows in our good -city of Alexandria, ought to be able, from his own -experience, to give us wise counsel concerning the celibacy of -the clergy. I hope that he will do so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The brilliant, smiling youth resumed his seat, and -every eye was turned upon the Libyan, but he neither -rose nor answered. The grand, shaggy head bent slightly -forward, and a momentary gleam shone in the somber -eyes; while a peculiar shiver passed over his whole frame, -the python's idiopathic legacy, and a weary sigh exhaled -through the ashy lips; but he took not even the slightest -notice of Athanasius, nor of his flippant speech. It was -manifest that all of them expected him to say something, -knowing the readiness and splendor of his oratory, but -he was utterly silent; and this silence, following the young -archdeacon's sally against him, seemed to indicate an -unpleasant state of feeling--or what did it indicate?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He could browbeat his bishop in Alexandria," whispered -a bishop to Eusebius of Nicomedia, "but he quaileth -in the presence of the emperor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Eusebius answered: "He quaileth not for any -man; but he answereth not, because to do so might be to -recognize this assembly </span><em class="italics">as a council of the Church</em><span>, and -that he hath not yet done by speech or act."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the headstrong and violent Marcellus, Bishop of -Ancyra, cried out in fierce, defiant tones: "Hearest thou -not the friendly utterances of Athanasius, who speaketh -for Alexander, thy bishop? or dost thou carry thyself so -high as to treat with contempt thy learned and venerable -bishop, thou iron-hearted heretic, that thou answerest -nothing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Libyan turned his head slightly, and, fixing his -sad eyes upon Marcellus, gazed upon him steadily, quietly, -compassionately, but did not utter a word; and -immediately there was a clamor throughout the assembly, some -condemning the intemperate words and manner of the -Bishop of Ancyra, and some the seeming insolence of -Arius. Then the Emperor Constantine arose, and -forthwith the clamor subsided, and the emperor said: "I have -often and earnestly desired that peace and Christian -charity might characterize our deliberations. The remarks -and the manner of the Bishop of Ancyra are hasty and -uncalled for; but the obstinate silence of the presbyter -indicateth a proud and scornful mind--for it is known -to all that the young archdeacon speaketh for the holy -Bishop Alexander because of his age and feebleness; and -if thou dost decline to notice the brilliant Athanasius -because of his youth, thou must not despise thy venerable -superior who speaketh through him. I command thee, -therefore, to answer as if Alexander himself had addressed -thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The emperor sat down, and a murmur of admiration -and applause ran through the entire assembly. Then the -mighty heretic arose, and in his sweet, incisive, -penetrating voice, answered: "By command of Augustus, the -emperor, whose legal subject I have become by the defeat -and death of the late Emperor Licinius, I arise to declare -that if any one supposeth I did fail to notice the remarks -of the young, learned, and eloquent archdeacon, because -of any feeling of scorn for his youth, or for his office, or -because of any uncharity toward him, or any one else in -this assembly, he doeth me much injustice. This, it -seemeth to me, is well proved by the fact, which ye all do know, -that during the weeks that ye have been assembled, I have -taken no part in any discussion, ecclesiastical or political, -in which ye have engaged. Because I am not an officer -of the Roman government, civil, military, or judicial, and -have not thought it to be consistent with the position and -duties of a presbyter of the Church of Jesus Christ to -assume the right to take part in the business of a royal -council, seeing that my life hath been devoted to religious -affairs which belong to our Lord, and not to civil, -military, or judicial functions which pertain unto the emperor, -I supposed that it would be as indecent and presumptuous -for me to meddle with the business of the empire, by -virtue of my office, as it would be for a Roman judge, or -centurion, to intrude into my church and preach the -gospel by virtue of his judicial or military rank. If it had -been otherwise, I might have had something to say when -I perceived that the royal authority offered a gross insult -to Christ and to his Church by making </span><em class="italics">Elia Capitolina</em><span>, -the ancient Jerusalem, the oldest and most honored see in -Christendom, secondary to new Nicomedia, in order to -accommodate ecclesiastical departments to the other -political divisions of the empire; nor would I speak at all -except at the command of the emperor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having thus spoken, Arius took his seat. The words -opened up plainly and unmistakably the vast difference -that separated the Christianity of the first three centuries -from the imperial Church of Constantine: the allegiance -that belonged to Jesus alone was in process of being -transferred to the emperor. It was to extirpate this very -freedom of conscience, this very liberty of the gospel that -acknowledged no master but Christ, that Constantine had -convened the council; and although he had known that -the question must come up, and must be met, and -although he had been for years, and especially since the -summoning of the bishops, using every artifice, argument, -and influence, and urging his ablest agents, to be prepared -for it when it might come, he and his partisans had -determined that it should be raised out of proceedings to be -instituted against Arius upon charges of heresy; but the -wonderful adroitness with which the great presbyter had -changed the face of the whole matter, and had actually -put both the emperor and his council on the defensive, -took Constantine utterly by surprise, and for a moment he -lost even his marvelous self-control, and cried out in a -voice of thunder, "Then why art thou here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Arius, with scintillant eyes, but in placid, -melodious tones, responded: "I came hither upon the written -order of the emperor, as I supposed it to be the duty of -a law-abiding subject to do; but certainly not as an officer -of the Roman government, entitled to participate in royal -businesses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This calm and dignified reply still more clearly revealed -to all the assembly the fact that their enthusiastic love for -Constantine had too much blinded their eyes to the -undeniable truth that the council was oecumenical, not -apostolical--the affair of the emperor, not of the Christ. This -reply was not ostensibly connected with any heretical -teachings of Arius, or of any one else, and raised no -question of orthodoxy at all; it struck at the very tap-roots of -the whole movement. "Whose council is this?" was the -question that each involuntarily asked himself, and it was -manifest that the simple, unobjectionable words of the -Libyan produced a profound impression upon many hearts -that began to consider whether the fact that the council -was royal did not imply in itself the fact that it was not -Christian, but was really treasonable toward Christ; and in -the midst of the solemn silence caused by such anxious -meditation, the virulent and incautious Bishop of Ancyra -cried out: "Who art thou that censurest the victorious -and holy emperor, and condemnest the oecumenical -council of the Church with thy sly, serpentine wriggle and -speech? Art thou not Arius the heretic? Arius the -defamer of the Son of God? thou bold scorner of the Holy -Trinity! thou cunning madman!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Arius only looked upon the furious bishop with -a sad and pitying smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Constantine cried out: "Answer thou the bishop!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, still quietly and pleasantly, with a peculiar, -mesmeric light in his somber eyes, and strange, thrilling -sibilation in his penetrating voice, Arius arose and -said: "By the command of Augustus I answer that I -have not censured the emperor, nor condemned the -council. As to my being a heretic, I only reply that, -if this thing be true, it is no concern of the emperor's, -who hath never been ordained to be the keeper of my -conscience. It is an affair entirely between the -Master--Christ--and his servant Arius. For ye all do know -that there is no Roman law prescribing what we must -believe or disbelieve, since the persecutors lost power to -enforce obedience to their laws prescribing faith in false -gods, by the infliction of tortures and death, against -those who for conscience' sake refused to obey. But -ye know that neither Jesus nor his apostles ever -denounced, nor authorized any human being to denounce, -a temporal penalty for heresy; for the Church only -prescribes that ye should refuse to fellowship the obdurate -heretic, or disobedient person; and I trust you far enough -to believe that if any pagan emperor, or any human -authority, should enact laws requiring you to believe, or to -do, anything contrary to good conscience, ye would be -faithful Christians enough to refuse obedience to such -laws, as our fathers from the beginning have gloriously -done. For this is a matter between each man and his God -only; not between him and the government which -exercises dominion over him. This the Church hath held from -the beginning; and when the heathen laws did prescribe -that ye who are here assembled should do and believe -things contrary to Christ and to conscience, ye did refuse, -so that every bishop here, except those eleven who come -from the remotest East, hath endured tortures rather than -obey the human laws. If, therefore, I be a heretic, as -brother Marcellus of Ancyra ignorantly supposeth, what -have the empire or its laws to do with that? Why speak -ye of orthodoxy, or of heterodoxy, in a great royal, -political assembly like this; unless, perhaps, some of ye are -willing to believe that the great and powerful emperor is -also a god, having charge of your faith and conscience, -as well as of your political condition; so that what the -law of Constantine shall prescribe as right to be believed -and done shall be your rule of faith and practice, and -not what our Lord Christ hath prescribed? For me, a -poor presbyter of the Christian Church, to assume the -right to deliberate upon and prescribe laws for the -empire would be gross impudence and arrogance; for any -human authority to usurp the right to make laws -controlling the faith of Christ's Church, would be as gross -a sacrilege. Was Constantine crucified for you? Or -were ye baptized into his name? And do ye hope for -salvation by faith in and obedience to him? I was -not. I have come, therefore, hither in obedience to the -imperial mandate, and have spoken by the emperor's -command. As to the empire, I have no authority and -no desire to make laws for it; as to my Christian faith, -no man nor angel hath right or power to meddle therewith, -or to prescribe laws for it. It is a thing between -my soul and its Saviour, whom I have served all my -life long in spite of imperial laws, and whom I will -continue to serve, no matter what laws may be enacted. -Brethren, will ye do likewise? or will ye now deny the -Christ?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For an instant the old man raised his tall form -upright, the shaggy head sprang forward upon the long, -peculiar neck, and the somber, sad eyes rested upon -almost every face. Then quietly he resumed his seat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Athanasius, Hosius, Constantine, and others, saw at -the same instant that against the impregnable position -taken by Arius no assault could prosper. They knew -that constant and almost imperceptible steps had been -necessary for years to seduce any large section of the -Western Church from that very position, and that the -church which Ulfilas had planted among the Goths had -only been driven therefrom by the merciless use of fire -and sword. They knew well that the line of demarkation -between all earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of -Christ in the world was clearly and unmistakably drawn, -consisting not alone in faith and sentiment, but in a -social and political policy which had been for three -centuries the glory of Christianity, and had been so -fearfully illustrated by recent persecutions under Licinius in -the East, that the council could not be deluded in -reference thereto; and they were seeking with anxious -solicitude to find some way to avoid further discussion -upon the matter, which might arouse an interest in it -that would dissolve the council upon the point which -the Libyan urged, that the Church could not meet in -oecumenical council at the order of an emperor, and -make decrees to be forced by imperial law, without -forsaking Christ. Long before the bold presbyter had -ceased to speak, the emperor had determined in his own -mind that it was necessary to gain time for consultation -and for concerted action, and especially necessary to stop -the discussion of this dangerous question as to the right -of a royal council to legislate for the Church of Christ--the -tendency of which was obviously to separate the -Church from imperialism altogether, rather than to -accomplish his determined purpose of blending the Church -with imperial law and make himself head of both. As -soon, therefore, as the heretic sat down, at a sign from -the emperor, Alexander and Hosius adjourned the -council until the following day.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-abdication-of-constantine"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE ABDICATION OF CONSTANTINE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>There is little doubt but upon that night so many -of the council favored the views of the Libyan, that if -a vote had been taken upon the point urged by him, -the council would have resolved that its own organization -was contrary to Christ; was an effort thoughtlessly -made to put Constantine in place of Jesus at the head -of the Church, and would have dissolved itself, until -summoned to convene by the agreement of the bishops only. -Almost the whole night was spent in anxious consultation -between those bishops who were ready to maintain the -freedom of the Church at any hazard, and the great -heresiarch, whom they instinctively recognized as leader of -the struggle in favor of religious liberty, as to the most -available path of escape from the dangerous and unchristian -position into which they had been led by their zeal -and love for the emperor who protected the Church from -persecution. Arius told them plainly that if the Church -of Christ was to be governed by an oecumenical or royal -council, its independence was gone; and in place of being -the "kingdom of heaven" upon earth, which our Lord -had organized, the Church must become a human -institution--part of the empire of Constantine, or of any other -prince or power to whom its members might be subject; -its faith and policy dictated by Roman law, not by the -word of God; its doctrines dependent upon the mutations -of government, not upon the teachings of Jesus: a thing -by which the cause of Christ is verily betrayed. There -were none in the council who did not perceive this truth, -although there were some who were for Constantine, even -against Jesus himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During nearly the whole night, also, Hosius, Athanasius, -Eustatius, Marcellus, Constantine, and others, were -engaged in eager consultation, but seemed unable to find -any solution of the difficulty. And the next morning -Athanasius reported to the emperor that the more they -had considered the matter, the more difficult and dangerous -it had appeared; and that the only way to avoid serious -risk of dissolving the council was to avoid all discussion -upon its right to sit for the Church, and to let Arius alone -as long as he might appear disposed to remain quiet. -Many hearts were burdened with anxiety, and Eusebius of -Cæsarea was especially oppressed with deep concern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if the council when assembled shall sustain the -views of Arius," he had once asked Constantine, "what -then?" and the emperor had answered, "A religious -war, perhaps, or a return to paganism!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But to Athanasius and others who urged the necessity -of temporizing with Arius, and avoiding all discussion of -the vital points which the heretic lost no opportunity of -forcing upon them, Constantine finally said: "I will -make no compromise with the Libyan; it is necessary to -crush that serpent's head, and I will do it! He hath -certainly evinced marvelous skill, intelligence, and daring, in -forcing an issue upon us which we do not desire to -determine; he would have made a magnificent general; but -I will ruin him to-day. Rest ye all in peace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when the council assembled, all of them filled -with anxiety as to what might occur, and many of them -determined, even at the risk of martyrdom, not to take -any further part in the deliberations of an imperial -conclave such as they clearly perceived that one to be, the -emperor arose first of all, and, with wonderful grace and -ease, addressed them as follows: "Ye know my love for -all of you, my friends, and my zeal for the cause of Christ. -But some among you have taken offense, and have even -doubted the propriety or binding force of your own -decrees upon the conscience of Christians, because it hath -appeared to you that the emperor hath assumed authority -over you in regard to matters of faith. This is surely a -grave mistake. To correct this false and injurious -impression, I here commit to your presiding bishops my -ring, my sword, and my scepter; and unto you I give -power this day over mine empire, to do in it whatever you -think fit for the promotion of religion and for the -advantage of the faithful. Ye are the law-makers of the Church -of Christ, and not him whom God hath made Emperor of -Rome. Proceed with your sacred business in your own time -and way. If ye shall deem it to be necessary to remove -even the most intangible objection of the cavilers to do so, -ye can dissolve the council, return to your homes, and let -the bishops reassemble when and where ye will. But if, -being already assembled at some expense of time and -trouble, ye deem it more expedient now to constitute -yourselves into a church council, do so in your own time and -manner. Farewell!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And, having so spoken, the emperor bowed gracefully -to the admiring assembly and withdrew. But almost -immediately Hosius, Bishop of Cordova, proposed, and without -a dissenting voice the council voted, that a deputation -of bishops be appointed to inform the emperor that the -Church had met in council, and to request him to return -and bestow upon them the benefit of his great wisdom and -Christian zeal, in aid of their deliberations; and smilingly -the emperor returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The action of the emperor was just that of the pre-eminently -greatest politician; and Arius, then first fully -realizing the vast intellectual resources of the most -consummate statesman whom the world has seen, murmured -unto himself, "Again is Christ betrayed into the hands -of wicked men!" And thenceforward calmly, almost -indifferently, he looked forward to what he supposed to be -his own impending doom; for he well knew that Constantine -spared no human life that, even by chance, might -seem to stand in the way of his self-aggrandizement: and -if his marvelous sagacity could conceive and execute such -an act as he had just accomplished, what was there of -which he could be incapable?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the bishop Hosius of Cordova said: "Brethren, -it is manifest that the technical objections which found -place in the consciences of some among us, based upon the -seeming authority of our most glorious and Christian -emperor over us, have been thoroughly eradicated by his own -most wise, pious, and unsolicited condescension, and that -we sit now as an absolutely independent body for the -consideration of the business and doctrines of the Church of -Christ, as much as if we had come of our own motion -originally from the ends of the earth, without the generous -and Christian liberality of our royal friend and protector. -Let us, therefore, proceed with our deliberations to secure -the prosperity of the Church of our blessed Lord!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In this sentiment all concurred; and even the dullest -among them immediately perceived that the crafty act of -Constantine had cut out from under the great heretic the -only sure foundation upon which he might have builded, -and had left him at the mercy of the emperor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For many days the great council proceeded with its -business, and sometimes their differences gave rise to -excited and earnest debate, in which the easy, marvelous, -persuasive eloquence and irresistible manners of Athanasius -raised the brilliant youth to the highest place in the -opinions of all; in which the magnificent Spaniard Hosius -fully maintained the almost apostolic reverence that had -long been given to his great age, vast erudition, and grand -character; and in which both the Eusebii added to their -former wide-spread reputation for learning, piety, and -influence. Many other names, before that time almost -unknown beyond the local limits of their own churches -and bishoprics, became celebrated throughout Christendom -for various excellences or for striking characteristics. -Only the sad-eyed and seemingly broken-hearted presbyter -Arius appeared to be indifferent to the course of business, -and silent during the discussion of questions upon which -all knew he might have brought to bear an unequaled mass -of erudition, illumined by the strong light of genius, if he -had cared to do so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gradually, little by little, no one knew how, the -conviction spread throughout the great assembly that the man -Arius was doomed, and that there was no possibility of -escape for him; and day by day they were awaiting the -institution of proceedings against him which would be the -beginning of the end anticipated. None knew whence -this weird impression arose, and few ever spoke of it: -for no man that ever ruled on earth knew better how to -create or how to guide for his own purposes that -intangible, remorseless, and murderous influence to which in -later times we have applied the expression "public -opinion" than did the wonderful Emperor Constantine, ages -before other statesmen recognized even the existence of -such a force. And through the more gifted agents, lay -and clerical, who were devoted to him heart and soul, the -impression that the Libyan must be condemned grew -imperceptibly but unceasingly stronger. Without knowing -why, the enemies of the great presbyter became daily more -self-confident and aggressive; without knowing why, the -lukewarm and undecided souls that form a considerable -segment of every large assembly, insensibly withdrew -themselves from his support, and drifted more and more -into the sentiment of his foes; and, without knowing why, -the few, strong, brave, earnest men, who decidedly clung -to his opinions and unswervingly loved the man, began to -concentrate their forces and husband their resources for -some desperate and decisive struggle which they -instinctively felt to be approaching.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Libyan himself had long regarded his fate as -decisively settled. He had interpreted the Apocalypse as -referring to Constantine, and did not doubt either the -temporary overthrow of Christianity by the emperor, or -the fact that he would be involved in its ruin. He looked -without fear, perhaps more with a feeling of curiosity -than anything else, for signs which might enable him to -form a conjecture as to how long the kingdom of heaven -might be banished out of the world: its ultimate restoration -and final triumph over human governments he never -doubted; but he would hardly have turned his hand, or -raised his head, to avoid the death which he supposed -Constantine had determined to bring upon him. "If," -he said unto his intimate friends, "the emperor's council -carry out his wishes, I desire ye all to remember, in the -future, that no Christian council hath, or hath ever -attempted, to exercise authority to put any man to death for -heresy. The only punishments the Church hath ever -imposed stop with the refusal to fellowship an unbeliever -or a wrong-doer. If Constantine condemn me, remember -that he is not a bishop, hath never even been baptized, and -hath no authority to decide upon what is or what is not -heretical; and the Roman law hath never, so far at least, -attempted to define what a Christian may lawfully believe. -Ye see, therefore, that the fact of my destruction illustrateth -well the character of the council, and showeth that -even the magnificent spectacle of his resignation which he -so well enacted can not convert Constantine's meeting into -a council of the Christian Church. And I suppose that -this will more plainly appear as the matter proceedeth -further."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then answered the Bishop of Nicomedia, saying: -"Brother, if thou must perish for the cause of Christ, I -perish also with thee. I am an Arian, and shall claim -the right to die with thee if any murder shall be done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I also!" said Eusebius of Cæsarea. "And I -also!" said Maris of Chalcedon; and Theognis of Nicea; -and Menophantes of Ephesus; and a score of other -bishops, each in his turn pressing the old presbyter's hand. -Then said the presbyter: "If your resolution hold, either -the policy and craft of Constantine will deny us a death -so glorious, or our martyrdom will of itself reinstate the -kingdom of heaven in spite of the emperor. Let us -rejoice, then, in hope of the triumph of the truth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And having thus quietly but unflinchingly made a -covenant that, if the matter should be prosecuted to -extremities against Arius, they would share his fate, and -thereby furnish to the whole body of Christians throughout -the world a most terrible and unanswerable protest -against the council and the emperor, these devoted men -calmly awaited the beginning of the struggle which they -knew to be steadily approaching, although they were -unable to determine from what quarter it would come.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="i-have-no-superior-but-christ"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">"I HAVE NO SUPERIOR BUT CHRIST."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When the council met one morning, Athanasius -produced and laughingly read a song, or hymn, which had -been written and set to music by the Libyan, for the use -of uneducated Christians at Alexandria, in order to enable -them to memorize and keep in mind the doctrines of -Christianity as he had understood them. This song was -part of a little book entitled "Thalia," or "Songs of Joy," -which the presbyter had written for sailors and others -who had no certain means of attending regular religious -services, and in it occurred the following expressions: -"God was not always Father; once he was not Father; -afterward he became Father; and his only-begotten is -Jesus Christ our Lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And thereupon Marcellus, Bishop of Ancyra, moved the -council to declare that this sentiment was heretical; and -that the man who wrote it should be expelled from the -Church of Christ; and Arius and his friends perceived -that the struggle for the destruction of the presbyter had -begun. For a while the council-hall was filled with -clamorous and bitter denunciations of Arius: "The -heretic!" "The atheist!" "The defamer of Christ!" "The -polytheist!" "The pagan!" "The Libyan serpent!" "The -ram of Baucalis!" and almost every other term of -reproach which the vocabulary of ecclesiasticism could -furnish, were shouted throughout the hall by the partisans -of Constantine. Finally, the clamor seemed to wear itself -out, and, order having been partially restored, Potammon -of Hierapolis, a confessor whom the pagans had left blind -and lame, straightened up himself and with great -awkwardness and earnestness cried out: "Brethren, I was -reared up in Central Africa, and know nothing of -philosophy, but do try to serve the Lord, and to avoid all -heresy and false doctrine. I have often sung this song, not -knowing it was heresy, with my people! What is there -wrong about the song, then? Do any of you deny that -Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son of God? or that he -is our Lord and Saviour? or will some of you now -pretend to believe that the Son is older than the Father? -What is wrong about the song?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To the same effect spoke many of the friends of Arius; -and Maris of Chalcedon said: "The Gospels uniformly -call Jesus Christ the only-begotten Son of the Father, and -I have never believed it necessary or proper to go any -further than the simple, direct scriptural statement."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Finally, Eusebius of Nicomedia obtained a hearing, and, -speaking calmly and soothingly, he said: "Brethren, the -song which ye have heard read seems to be merely a -metrical composition formed to aid the memory of those who -were unable to read and write, and those who had no copy -of the Scriptures, in keeping in mind certain scriptural -phrases and doctrines; and I could not be led to suspect -a great and pious presbyter of heresy upon such a cause as -that. Let us proceed, then, decently and in order; and -if ye would know truly what Arius hath taught as -religion, call upon him to declare what he hath so taught. -This seemeth to me to be the only fair and honorable -course, worthy of a Christian assembly, if any one think -there is cause to suppose that he hath taught anything -contrary to Scripture."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This reasonable counsel at once prevailed with the -greater number, and by a large vote they requested Arius -to declare his teachings. Thereupon the old heretic arose, -and in his strange, peculiar, fascinating tone and manner, -spoke as follows: "Brethren, I have never taught -anything concerning our Lord as religion, except that which -is expressly laid down in the Scriptures; to wit, that Jesus -is the only-begotten Son of God, the Saviour of the world. -I do not know anything, and have never taught as articles -of faith necessary to be believed, anything except what is -thus expressly and definitively stated in the Gospels. Of -course, like every man who thinks at all, I have meditated -often and earnestly about the philosophy of the facts -stated, and have formed in my own mind certain speculations -in relation thereto which are satisfactory to mine -own understanding, and I have not hesitated to declare -these opinions in all proper times and places; but I have -never said, at any time or place, that these merely -philosophical speculations upon the nature of Deity were -binding upon any man's conscience, or that they should be -taught and believed as the rule of any man's faith and -practice; because they have not been revealed or declared -as such by the word of God. If any man allege that I -have done otherwise, let him make the charge in writing -and produce the proof, as was the custom at every Christian -council in such cases that hath ever been held upon the -motion of the bishops authorized to call a council, as at -Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, in Pontus, Gaul, Mesopotamia, -and Ephesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The presbyter said no more, but quietly resumed his -seat, and the calm, grave, and reasonable manner in which -he had met and disposed of the vociferations which had -assailed him, in the opinion of nearly all, left no course to -be pursued with decency except to present written charges -against him, and offer proofs thereof. But such a course -did not by any means suit the purposes of those who were -resolved upon his ruin; and Athanasius, who at all times -was able to command a respectful hearing at the hands -of the assembly, without seeming to notice the challenge -thrown down by the Libyan, said in his own winning -and seemingly respectful way: "Hast thou not publicly -and customarily, in thy Baucalis church, in Alexandria, -preached things that were contrary to the views of the -Bishop Alexander--contrary to his interpretation of the -Scriptures, for which he did order that thou be suspended -from thy ministry; and didst not thou pertinaciously -refuse to obey his episcopal order, and obstinately persevere -in proclaiming thine abominable heresies? Wilt thou now -deny this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then with an effort to preserve his self-control that -sent a strange shiver creeping over his gaunt and mighty -frame, the presbyter made answer: "It appeareth, brethren, -that this gifted youth hath been taught to believe that -it is heresy to differ in opinion with the learned and pious -brother, Alexander! It is very true that I and my brother -Alexander have somewhat differed in opinion, but I am -not advised that he hath any more authority to dictate my -opinions than have I to dictate his; and I am very certain -that, wherein the bishop hath differed with me, he is in -error."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Constantine cried out, "Answer thou whether -thou hast preached in spite of the order of suspension -made against thee by thy superior!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the old heretic arose again, and answered: "I -had supposed that the answer already made would be -sufficient for any bishop, but being commanded by an -unbaptized emperor to answer yet further, I have to say that -I have no 'superior' but Christ; as for the order of -brother Alexander 'suspending' me from the exercise of -the functions of a presbyter, all the clergy here assembled -well know that it is void. The day hath not yet come -when any one brother in the Church can 'suspend' another. -I suppose that, under the legal religion which is to -replace the gospel of Christ, a bishop will have some such -authority over a presbyter as a legionary hath over a -centurion, or a centurion over a soldier; but we have not -quite reached that condition! As to the differences of -opinion between myself and the brother Alexander and -others, I will simply state that our good city of Alexandria -hath a population marvelously intellectual, and greatly -addicted to the study of philosophy. Hence it hath -happened that many of the brethren, and some even of the -bishops and presbyters, have added, unconsciously perhaps, -to their faith in the facts set forth in the Gospels certain -philosophical notions intended for the explanation of these -facts, which notions they have derived from many -teachers--chiefly from the great heathen Plato, and from his -followers, the neo-Platonists, and from the school of Philo -the Egyptian. The learned and pious Bishop Alexander -derived from some such source (I know not what) certain -philosophical views which seemed to deny utterly the -separate existence of the Son of God; and which savored -strongly of the heresy of Sabellius that had been -condemned by more than one Christian council, and which -did tend directly to the subversion of the primitive -Christian communities, and to the overthrow of 'the kingdom -of heaven' which Jesus did ordain, and to the substitution -therefor of some such ecclesiastical system as I am told -the emperor hath established in the Western Empire, in -which the emperor, not Christ, is head of the Church, and -in which the law prescribes what a man may believe or not -believe (just as the pagan laws have always done), instead -of the Scriptures. So long as brother Alexander held -these erroneous opinions privately, I meddled not with -them; but when he afterward saw proper to come and -preach these heresies to mine own congregation, I -guarded my community against this pernicious philosophy; -for the Gospels and the Acts furnish the only authority -concerning Christ and faith in him; and not the opinions -of Sabellius, Alexander, Hosius, or Constantine. As -for mine own philosophical opinions concerning Deity, -I never learned them of Plato, nor of Philo, nor of -Sabellius, but of the most wise and pious Am-nem-hat, who -was for many years high-priest of the pagan temple at -Ombos, holding there the same position which the -Emperor Constantine as Pontifex Maximus hath so long -held at Rome; but Am-nem-hat was afterward a glorious -Christian, and a holy martyr, at our city of Alexandria, -as many of you know. But no man hath ever heard -me claim that these philosophical opinions constituted -any rule of faith or practice, or were binding upon any -man's conscience; although I doubt not that the -theological opinions of a most ancient and learned Egyptian -high-priest are entitled to as much respect as those of -the flamen of Jupiter, at Rome, who is now the Emperor -Constantine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And again the old heretic resumed his seat, having -created a strong impression in his favor in the minds of all -who were not committed to the task of destroying him, -although many of them trembled for his safety on hearing -his bold and ingenious assault upon the emperor. But -Marcellus, Bishop of Ancyra, sprang to his feet, and in -loud and threatening tones cried out: "O thou most -insolent and abusive heretic, darest thou to call the most -Christian emperor a pagan?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Maris, Bishop of Chalcedon, stretched forth his -hand and answered: "The presbyter Arius hath said that -the great emperor is yet unbaptized, and that he is, by the -law of the Roman Empire, Pontifex Maximus, and flamen -of Jupiter! I understand that all this is true; and, if it be -not true, no man will more rejoice than I would to hear -the emperor now declare that he hath been baptized into -the faith of Christ, and that he is no longer high-priest of -pagan Rome."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bishop sat down, and every eye was at once turned -upon Constantine. But the emperor neither spake nor -moved; and almost immediately his partisans began to -cry out that Arius should declare to the council what were -those philosophical opinions to which he referred, which -thing they did to cover up the failure of the emperor to -respond to Maris the bishop; and the friends of the -Libyan joined in the same cry, because they did believe that -the philosophy of Arius would be found to be correct, and -not heretical. And thereupon, being pressed upon all -sides at once, the presbyter again arose and spoke in the -following manner: "I suppose, brethren, that there hath -never been any difficulty in the mind of any Christian as -to the simple declarations of the gospel concerning our -Lord; and that the faith of all Christians in the divinity -of our common Saviour is founded upon the gospel narrative. -The difficulties arise only when the mind passes on -beyond the plain teachings of the gospel, and attempts to -comprehend how these things may be, and to formulate -for itself some creed upon the nature of the Deity. In -this regard there have been maintained three great -philosophical opinions, as ye do know, which may be very -briefly stated as follows:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"1. That the Son of God must be a dependent and -spontaneous being, created from nothing by the will of -the Father, by whom also all things were made.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"2. That the Son possessed all of the inherent, -incommunicable perfections which religion and philosophy -appropriate to the supreme God. So that there are in the -Godhead three distinct and infinite minds or substances, -three co-equal and co-eternal beings, composing the divine -essence, three independent Deities as to whom an effort is -made to preserve the unity of the first cause by assuming -the perpetual concord of their administration, the essential -agreement of their will; and this I understand to be the -philosophy of Hosius, Alexander, the emperor, and others -for whom Athanasius is spokesman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"3. Three beings who, by the self-derived necessity of -their existence, possess divine attributes in perfect degree, -who are eternal in duration, infinite in space, intimately -present to each other and to the universe; and are yet one -and the same being, manifesting himself in different forms, -and considered in different aspects: so that the Trinity -becomes a trinity of names and abstract manifestations -existing only in the mind; they are not persons at all, but -only attributes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the heresy of Sabellius, which Christian -councils have condemned. It differeth from Athanasius in -degree, but not, I think, in kind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not one of these three opinions satisfieth my mind -and heart. The martyr Am-nem-hat taught me when I was -a boy that the original faith, which long ages ago preceded -the polytheism of Egypt, Assyria, India, China, Greece, -Rome, and all other heathen nations, uniformly represented -the one God to be a dual, spiritual Being, and that -the Divine nature must be a Triad, or Trinity, completed -by the birth of a son of this double-natured spiritual God. -In the gospels I read that Christ is 'the only-begotten -Son of God': a Father begets. He was 'conceived' of the -Holy Ghost: a Mother conceives. He was 'born' of a -virgin, and for our salvation did live among men. The -same holy martyr called my attention to the fact, which I -have since carefully verified, that while the Scriptures in -no place apply the word 'mother' to the Holy Ghost, the -words 'Holy Ghost' are used in them two hundred and -twelve times, and were uniformly in the Greek neuter -gender, which affirmeth nothing as to sex. He also showed -me that Moses called the one God by a name which is the -plural number of a Hebrew noun. It hath, therefore, -appeared to me to be true that, as far as anything -concerning Deity can be expressed in human language, the -sacred use of the words 'Father,' 'Son,' 'Holy Ghost,' -'begotten,' 'conceived,' were intended to convey to our -minds the idea that in some spiritual sense of sexhood the -nature of Deity is that in the likeness and image whereof -man was created; and signify a divine family, so far as -earthly things can typify spiritual truth. Hence, as I did -set forth in my letter to Eusebius of Nicomedia, and to -Alexander of Alexandria, as the Church knoweth, I have -always taught that the Son is not unoriginate, nor part of -the unoriginate, nor made of things previously existing; -but that by the will and purpose of God he was in being -before time, perfectly divine, the only-begotten; that -before his generation he was not; that we believe in -one God alone without birth, alone everlasting, alone -unoriginate. We believe that God gave birth to the -only-begotten Son, before eternal periods, making the divine -family a Triad, through whom he made these periods and -all else that was made; that he gave birth to the Son, not -in semblance, not in idea, but in truth giving unto him -a real existence; and we have refused to profess faith -in the teachings of Bishop Alexander, that 'as God is -eternal, so is his Son'; 'where the Father, there the -Son'; 'the Son is present in God without birth'; -'ever-begotten'; 'an Eternal God, an Eternal Son'; 'the Son -is your God himself.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I have never taught this philosophy as an article -of faith, binding upon the conscience of believers; and -have required of them to profess faith in nothing except -what the gospels declare."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The philosophy of Arius struck many as a novel thing. -To some of them it seemed to be a rational and beautiful -solution of problems which they had pondered long and -regarded as insoluble, and had abandoned in despair. -To none of them did it seem to be at all tainted with -heresy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Athanasius had a definite end in view, which -closed his ears to any statement the presbyter might make, -although he waited courteously until Arius had concluded -his remarks, and then exclaimed, "Hast thou not taught -that the Son of God was created out of things not existing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never," said Arius. "Thou knowest I have taught -that he was not 'created' at all, but 'begotten'; -'conceived,' not made."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou not taught that there was a time when -the Son was not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, verily! The word 'time' is thine own, not -mine. But I have said 'God was, when he was not.' I -have said that 'before he was begotten he was not.' Else -how could God beget him? But this was in the -beginning, before 'time' was."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou not taught that the Father was superior -to the Son, and the Son inferior to the Father?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, verily! I can not conceive of the words 'superior' -and 'inferior' as applicable to the divine nature, -or family, any more than I can conceive of thy word -'time' as applied to the divine existence. If thou -canst do so, O Athanasius, thou or thy friends, and -furnish a definition of the Trinity that does not deny the -separate existence of the Son; nor imply identity of -person in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; or which does not -set up three distinct, co-equal Gods, or which does not -degrade the Son to the condition of a created Being, -made, not begotten, except the definition which I quoted -from the philosophy of Am-nem-hat the martyr, and have -adopted as mine own, announce thou now, or when thou -wilt, such a definition of the Trinity, and, if I can at -all comprehend it, I will follow thee to death, if need -be, in defense thereof: for lo! these many years have I -sought for such a definition and found it not, except in -Am-nem-hat's profound aphorism that the true and only -idea of Trinity subsisteth in family--Father, Mother, Son: -the Father-Ghost, and Christ!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then answered Athanasius: "Verily I would not dare -to utter a formula of faith upon so high a theme in any -hasty or inconsiderate manner. So for the present let -that question rest, and I doubt not that the learned -bishops who defend the deity of Christ will soon frame out -of the Scriptures a definition of the Catholic faith which -shall both satisfy all orthodox souls and bring thine own -God-dishonoring heresies to light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it come out of the Scriptures, friend Athanasius, -they must omit therefrom thy newly-coined word 'Catholic,' -for that word is not scriptural, nor is the idea which -thou signifiest by it therein. The Scriptures speak not -of the 'Catholic' Church at all, but of 'the common -church,' 'the common faith,' 'the common salvation,' -'the common hope,' 'the common Saviour'; and thou -well knowest that 'common' pertaineth only to the -common or communal organization of Christ's kingdom. Yet, -perhaps, it is natural that one so young, so beautiful, so -gifted as thou art, should prefer the imperial and -aristocratic designation which hath been recently adopted in -the Western Empire, and despise the plebeian, scriptural -name 'common' or 'communal.' For two Christians -might both belong to thy 'Catholic' Church, while one -of them might be a prince and the other a pauper; but -the two Christians who belong to the primitive -'common' church must be brethren, equal, free, fraternal; -and the difference, friend Athanasius, between 'common' -([Greek: </span><em class="italics">koínos</em><span>]) and -'catholic' ([Greek: </span><em class="italics">kata holos</em><span>]) is just the difference -between the Christian Church and that of Constantine. -I know not what the martyrs would have said of it, nor -what the steadfast confessors here present may think of -it; but I prefer the ancient, scriptural term 'common,' -'communal,' 'communistic' church of which Jesus Christ -only is King, and in which all men are brethren, to the -new 'Catholic' establishment which has come in with our -unbaptized emperor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not a confessor present but what would -have applauded these bold and truthful sentiments, the -force of which we can at this day with difficulty realize; -but Constantine bit his lip to restrain a terrible oath, -and his face darkened ominously as he glared upon the -audacious presbyter. Hosius, Marcellus, Alexander, and -others of the same party, seemed to have been stricken -dumb by the clear, incisive, fearless, and uncompromising -declarations of Arius. Only Athanasius seemed to -preserve his marvelous self-possession, and laughed -musically, while, in order to distract attention from the -dangerous question which the old heretic seemed determined -to bring up at every possible turn of the discussion, he -cried aloud: "But hast thou not commonly taught that -the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three, and not one -God, and thereby made thy heresy assume the complexion -of polytheism? Hast thou not done that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have taught," answered Arius, "and I think that -the Scriptures teach, that the three are not one person, -but three persons; and that the Trinity is one family, in -likeness whereof man was created. Eve, the first mother, -was not created out of things not existing, but she -proceeded out of the first man's side; not above him, not -below him--equal with him, bone of his bone, flesh of his -flesh; and the first human son was born of them. This -to my mind in some way typifies the divine family, except -that the idea of creation applies not to it. This I have -stated as mine own conception of the matter, not as an -article of faith. If thou knowest any better idea, state it -plainly, I pray thee: I am not yet too old to learn."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Athanasius, triumphantly, "I supposed, -indeed, that God would presently lay bare thy heresy; for -thou dost deny the express words of Scripture that these -three are one; and thus thou art convicted!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once more the dangerous light gleamed in the old -man's somber eyes, and that nervous twitching, which his -enemies likened to the wriggling of a serpent, passed over -him; but he controlled himself wonderfully, and calmly -enough inquired: "What scripture, then? Wilt thou -read it; or tell us in what place it may be found?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then said Athanasius: "I read from the first letter -of John as follows: '</span><em class="italics">For there are three that bear record -in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: -and these three are one. And there are three that bear -witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and -these three agree in one.</em><span>' How, then, sayest thou that the -Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost are not one, in the -very teeth of the Scriptures, O thou subtle heretic?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The reading of this scripture produced a profound -sensation in the council. Many turned to their copy of -John's letter to read the words for themselves, the greater -number using the new and beautiful manuscripts which -the munificent liberality of the emperor had caused to be -transcribed and distributed among the bishops some time -before; but many also had ancient copies written in the -uncial text. But Arius said unto Athanasius, "Wilt thou -give to me thy book?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Athanasius sent it to him by one of the pages in -attendance. The grim old presbyter received the parchment, -and looked at it, and handled it, and turned it over -and over in his hands with a strange, sarcastic smile, and -then said in that peculiar, sibilant tone which cut and -tingled like a serpent's hiss: "I perceive, brethren, that -this beautiful manuscript is one of those copies which hath -been supplied to many bishops and presbyters by the zeal -and benevolence of our most Christian, but unbaptized, -emperor; and the book is beautifully written in the new, -running Greek text which hath lately come into use. I -have but one objection to it, brethren; and the objection -is, that the words '</span><em class="italics">in heaven, the Father, the Word, and -the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are -three that bear witness in earth</em><span>'--these words were never -written by John, but by some one else; they have been -added to the text within the last ten years!" And then -the tall form reared itself to the full height of its gigantic -stature; the long, thin right hand swayed to and fro with -a strange rhythmic motion, the huge, rough, noble head -seemed to start forward upon the long, bony neck, as a -cobra thrusts it forward; the strange, mesmeric light -burned in the somber eyes, and, fastening his gaze full -upon the emperor, he cried out in tones that rang through -every corner and crevice of the vast hall, shrill, incisive, -penetrating: "These words are forgeries--every one of -them! What John wrote was this: '</span><em class="italics">For there are three -that bear record, the spirit, the water, and the blood: and -these three agree in one.</em><span>'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The effect was electrical. Many trembled for the bold -and eloquent man whose words and manner seemed to -charge upon the emperor himself the guilt of sacrilege in -forging the sacred writings; although, perhaps, none -doubted that the words were forged. But Athanasius -gazed upon him haughtily, and demanded: "Who art -thou, madman, that dost so boldly assail the genuineness -of a scripture that suiteth not with thy notorious heresy? -How knowest thou that the words were never written by John?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The presbyter's fierce excitement had almost immediately -faded away, and he quietly answered: "Brethren, I -know that the words are forgeries, because the rank -Sabellianism which they teach is contrary to John's spirit, and -would better suit the views of certain persons who desire -to confound the Son with the Father in order to abolish -the sovereignty of Christ over his earthly kingdom by -placing some one else in his rightful place. Secondly, -because ye can not find the words in any copy written -in the uncial text, before the recent, running Greek text -came into common use. Ye have many uncial copies -here: see whether any of them contain the words. -Thirdly, because, more than thirty years ago, the learned -martyr Am-nem-hat, in our city of Alexandria, had in -his possession the original letter of John"; and, with -tremulous and mournful cadence that brought tears into -the eyes of all who knew his history, he continued: -"Am-nem-hat abode in the house of his great-grand-niece, -the holy, the beautiful, the martyred Theckla. -This blessed virgin did carefully copy the letter upon -vellum, and sent it to Antioch as a gift even unto me, -by the hands of Bishop Peter." Taking the book from -a cedar box on the seat beside him, he continued: -"Here is the copy of John's letter, written by the hand -of one martyr, under the supervision of another, and -delivered by a third martyr unto me, that am ready to -follow them upon the glorious way whenever God so will! -Search and see whether ye can find these forged words in -this thrice-sacred book!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A moment of profound silence followed. Constantine, -Athanasius, Hosius, and all of their faction, perceived that -this assault also had not only failed, but had left the -powerful heretic in full possession of the field of battle; -and, at a sign from the emperor, the bishops immediately -adjourned the council until the following day.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-communion-of-the-saints"><span class="large">CHAPTER X.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As soon as the great council assembled on the following -day, Eusebius of Cæsarea addressed them, saying: -"Brethren, the controversy concerning the nature of -Deity provoketh much uncharity, and leadeth to no -result. I have, therefore, drawn up, and now offer for -your consideration, a Confession of Faith, which is no -new form of doctrine, but is the same which I learned -in my childhood, and during the time I was a catechumen, -and at the time I was baptized, from my predecessors -in the bishopric of Nicomedia; and the same -which I have taught for many years while I was -presbyter and bishop, before this great dispute had arisen. -This confession hath been read and approved by the -emperor, the beloved of Heaven, and it seemeth to me to -be the truth as nearly as divine things can be expressed -in human language. I have a hope, therefore, that it -may be accepted by all as a sufficient declaration of our -Christian faith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is as follows: 'I believe in one God, the Father -Almighty, Maker of all things both visible and invisible, -and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, God -of God, Light of Light, Life of Life, the only-begotten -Son, the first-born of every creature; begotten of the -Father before all worlds, by whom, also, all things were -made; who for our salvation was made flesh and lived -among men, and suffered, and rose again on the third -day, and ascended to the Father, and shall come in -glory to judge the quick and the dead. And we -believe in one Holy Ghost. As also our Lord, sending -forth his own disciples to preach, said: 'Go and teach -all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, -and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Concerning -which things we affirm that this is so, and that we think -so, and that it hath long been so held; and that we -remain steadfast to death for this faith, anathematizing -every godless heresy; that we have taught these things -from our heart and soul, from the time that we have -known ourselves; and that we now think and say them -in truth, we testify in the name of Almighty God, and -of our Lord Jesus Christ, being able to prove even by -demonstration, and to persuade you that in past times -also this we believed and preached.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This creed seemed to be acceptable to nearly all the -members of the council, and Hosius said unto Arius, -"Wilt thou subscribe this creed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the heretic answered: "Certainly. I can cheerfully -subscribe to all that is contained in this confession -of faith; for Eusebius hath only made a formal statement -of what I have taught and believed, and what the -ancient Church hath held from the beginning. Yet I -like not the creed. For the bishops all know that while -never before did a council draw up any written confession -of faith, yet at every council the bishops did -repeat and affirm the creed received from the apostles; -and the most important item therein, next to the -profession of faith in Christ, was this: 'I believe in the -communion of saints'; by which the Church constantly -affirmed its faith in the divine wisdom of the communal -organization of 'the kingdom of heaven.' Ye have -mutilated the confession by omitting this vital article in -order to accommodate the faith to the imperial laws -regarding war, slavery, and mammon-worship. Let the -great article be restored to its proper place, and I will -subscribe the creed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then there was a terrible clamor, greater than all -that had preceded it--the partisans of Constantine -boldly declaring that "the day had gone by forever for -maintaining the communal organization of the Church"; -that this "primitive community of rights and property -was only a temporary arrangement, not designed to be -permanent, and had faded away"; and, finally, that -"the emperor would not permit the creed to contain an -article which cut off not only the emperor and all his -officers, but also every 'rich man,' from admission to -the Church." But those who were determined to maintain -the apostolic organization which Jesus himself had -ordained were equally clamorous in shouting that to -omit the article of "communion of the saints" was to -adopt the Roman law, and betray the Church into the -hands of the enemies of Jesus. Then Constantine -ordered in the imperial guards and commanded them to -clear the hall, and the bishops adjourned the council in -the midst of an uproar in which the struggle was not -always confined to words, but some severe blows were -given and received upon both sides. The voice of the -bishops adjourning the council had failed to designate -any day or hour at which it should reassemble, and for -some days no session at all was held; and during these -days all the weight of the imperial authority was brought -to bear upon the unhappy bishops to force them to adopt -a creed omitting the article concerning "the communion -of saints" which from the very days of Jesus had been -the sacred symbol of the social and political organization -of the Christian Church. Constantine declared that -bishops who made it a matter of conscience to do so might -continue to teach and to preach it, but that the article -must be omitted from the creed; and gradually all of them -were brought over to the making of this kind of a -compromise with their consciences. When this result had -been attained, the bishops gave out that the council would -be reassembled upon the following day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On that evening, Constantine called unto him Hosius, -Alexander, Athanasius, and others of his adherents, and -said unto them: "It is not expedient for me that Arius, -or any other man, should be condemned for refusing to -subscribe a confession of faith that omits the article -concerning community of the saints. I wish that thing to -be forgotten as soon as possible, and that the -condemnation of this man should be founded upon some other -accusation. I desire ye, therefore, to seek for some -scriptural word or other which may not be repugnant to the -majority of the council, but which Arius can not -subscribe. He is a man that would manifestly die and count -it great gain rather than make even the slightest -concession in any matter of conscience. Ye must, -therefore, insert in the creed some word or phrase that he -will not subscribe, but to which the majority shall not -make any strenuous objection. It must not appear to -the Church that 'the communion of saints' hath caused -trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no such word or expression in any gospel," -answered Hosius, sententiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then ye must seek for it elsewhere," said Constantine. -"The creed must contain some word which he will -refuse to subscribe, and it must appear that the controversy -with him is concerning that word, and not concerning -the abandonment of the primitive Church polity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a word that hath lately come into use at -Alexandria," said Athanasius, "which I feel certain would -prevent the presbyter from signing any creed that -contains it, but I do not think that either the Latin -language or the Latin brain is delicate enough to grasp -that peculiar signification of the Greek expression which -would make it repugnant to Arius, so that the Western -churchmen would not object to the use of it, but it is -not exactly a scriptural phrase."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the word?" asked the emperor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the new compound, 'consubstantial' ([Greek: </span><em class="italics">homoousios</em><span>]), -which admitteth of an interpretation that would shock the -fine Egyptian thought of the presbyter, but many might -not be subtile enough to perceive it. It suiteth well the -majority of the bishops in the sense in which they -understand it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do well remember the word," said Constantine. -"For, when I was upon the study of this controversy, -I first heard it; and it occurreth either in some -memoranda which I made of a conversation with Eusebius, or -in a letter written unto him by his brother of Nicomedia. -Let me get those papers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So saying, the emperor opened a drawer in his bureau -and took therefrom a bundle of manuscript, and after a -short examination he said: "Here is the letter. Eusebius -of Nicomedia saith here that 'to assert the Son of God -to be of one substance with the Father is a proposition -evidently absurd.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The beautiful eyes of Athanasius sparkled with delight, -and he cried out: "That is the very word and letter -that we want! It cometh, like all good things, from the -emperor, and is like an inspiration to our cause!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," said Hosius. "The majority will receive the -word well--holding that it does not necessarily imply the -identity of persons; but will Arius certainly reject it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yea," replied Athanasius; "I have heard his -comments on the word, and I am certain that his stubborn, -inflexible spirit will not bend enough to make him -subscribe a creed containing it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Press thou not the matter too vehemently, arch-deacon," -said Constantine, "lest thou drive many to support -him. Be mild and persuasive, for there is time -enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So, when the council had assembled on the following -day, Athanasius said: "The learned and venerable -Bishops Alexander and Hosius, and many others with them, -have carefully examined the form of the Confession of -Faith offered by the learned Bishop Eusebius, and they -make no objection thereto: but fear that it may leave -open some advantages for entrance of heresy, as is -shown by this letter of Eusebius of Nicomedia, wherein -he declareth that to say that the Son is consubstantial -([Greek: </span><em class="italics">homoousios</em><span>]) with the Father is absurd. They therefore -desire, in order to cut off all heretical interpretation of -the creed, and vindicate the divinity of our Lord, to -offer a creed containing the declaration that Son and -Father are of one substance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Immediately there was a clamor of the Arians against -the use of the word; but they, and many who were -undecided, looked to Arius for advice and direction, and -Athanasius said, "The bishops desire to know whether -the learned presbyter Arius will subscribe the creed -containing this word, the bulwark against all heresy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Arius arose, and, looking upon Athanasius with -a gentle smile, said unto him: "I perceive that thy -master Constantine hath at last reached the fulfillment -of his desires against the Church and kingdom of my -master Christ. Brethren, I have already declared to you -that I would subscribe no confession of faith which -omitted to set forth the article of the communion of -saints; and I perceive well that the insertion of this -new ecclesiastical term is resorted to only in order to -avoid making notorious the fact that the emperor hath -commanded that the primitive organization of the Church -shall be abandoned. As to this word 'consubstantial,' I -have no objection to it in the only sense in which I can -conscientiously use it, as implying that the Father and -Son (like every other father and son) are beings of the -same nature; yet I would not subscribe a creed containing -this word, because it is unscriptural. In the sense -in which it will come to be used hereafter (if not, indeed, -already), it denies the separate existence of the Son; it -will imply an almost physical adhesion of the persons of -the Divine Family, and the actual identity of Father and -Son. It hath before this time been used by incautious -or heretical persons, and hath already been condemned -as heretical by councils which no prince or emperor -controlled, and whose voice was the free utterance of the -unsecularized but persecuted Church. I will never -subscribe a creed containing such a word; and have never -found it necessary to go outside of the Scriptures to find -words wherewith to define the Christian faith."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Athanasius answered: "What if the word, in the -exact form of it, is not in the Scriptures? Surely its -derivatives and compounds are found therein; nor is it any -more unscriptural than the songs of Arius written in his -book 'Thalia.' What if it hath been used by heretics and -condemned as heretical? That was only because it hath -been used in some heretical sense, and not as we use it -now. What if the use of the word might be tortured into -the support of Sabellianism by some who wrest even the -Scriptures to their own destruction? The rejection of it -argues far more strongly in favor of polytheism--the -ancient paganism from which the Church hath so long -suffered; and the word must be used, because it is the only -safeguard against the very heresy of which Arius hath -been suspected or accused."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the question was long debated by others, and the -council adjourned; but there were not many that stood -out firmly against the use of this celebrated word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the next meeting of the council, Hosius of Cordova -announced that, following the sentiments of the great -majority, they had prepared another declaration of the faith, -upon which he hoped all might agree; and thereupon the -same was read: "We believe in one God, the Father -Almighty, Maker of all things, both visible and invisible. -And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten -of the Father, only begotten, that is to say, of the -substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God -of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance -with the Father, by whom all things were made, both -things in heaven and things in earth; who for us men -and for our salvation came down and was made man, -suffered, and rose again on the third day; went up into -the heavens, and is to come again to judge the quick and -the dead. And in the Holy Ghost.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">But those who say, 'There was when he was not,' and -'Before he was begotten he was not,' and that 'He came -into existence from what was not,' or who profess that the -Son of God is a different 'person' or 'substance,' or that -he is created, or changeable, or variable, are anathematized -by the Catholic Church.</em><span>"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A great many members refused to sign the creed, and -especially the anathema with which it concluded; because -they thought that the presbyter Arius, at whom it was -aimed, neither taught nor held the views thereby imputed -to him. Eusebius of Cæsarea asked for time to consider -the matter, and "to consult with the emperor who had -imposed it upon them"--a course which others also followed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine professed to believe that this last creed -was delivered by an inspiration of the bishops directly -given from heaven; and he at once issued a decree of -banishment against all who might refuse to subscribe to it. -"He denounced Arius and his disciples as impious, and -ordered that he and his books should follow the fate of -the pagan Porphyry; and that he and his school should -be called Porphyrians, and his books burned under penalty -of death to any one who perused them." But he gave -them time to reflect upon the matter; and on the next -day many stood resolved not to sign, notwithstanding the -terrible threats of the emperor. In this state of fear and -perplexity, when no man knew to what extremities his -brutal threats to extort their compliance might be carried, -and when a moody silence, born of their terror and -distress, had settled upon the council, to the surprise of all, -Arius the Libyan arose and addressed them as follows: -"Brethren, I am well persuaded that no other opportunity -will ever be given unto me to address any assembly -of Christians; being persuaded that the condemnation -denounced against me ariseth not from any mistaken zeal -on the part of the unbaptized emperor concerning religion, -but only from a political necessity that springeth -from his godless and insatiable thirst for universal and -unhindered power; for verily I think he knoweth little, -and careth less, for any confession of faith, except as it -affecteth his imperial ambition. As a man, therefore, -already doomed, and soon, perhaps, to die, I desire to stir -up your pure minds by way of remembrance concerning -the primitive Church, which now fadeth out of the world, -as it hath already faded out of the Western Empire. -Brethren, centuries ago, the great Greek philosopher, -Plato, in his 'Republic,' did declare that 'any ordinary -city is in fact two cities, one the city of the rich, the -other that of the poor, at war with one another'; and this -statement is verily true everywhere on earth. For the -religion of mankind hath been, in some shape, the -worship of mammon, and the warfare, of which Plato -speaketh, a warfare for property--for property in offices, -prerogatives, lands, houses, wealth, slaves, and every shape -that property can take. Ye know that the law was a -schoolmaster to lead us to Christ; and that, to prevent -the universal and hopeless oppression of the poor, God by -Moses did ordain the statute of the year of jubilee, and -the statute of the seventh year; and ye know that the -prophet Isaiah did make these statutes, which secured a -certain blessing for the poor every 'seventh year' and -every 'fiftieth year,' typical of the continuous state of -believers, in the kingdom of heaven, declaring it to be the -gospel preached to the poor; and ye know that our Lord -did solemnly declare that this prophecy was fulfilled in -him, wherefore the wealthy and aristocratic Scribes and -Pharisees, who were 'covetous,' persecuted him even unto -death; even as the ruling classes at Rome, and -throughout the world, have done until the triumph of -Constantine over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. Ye know -that our Lord set up a kingdom that was good news, a -gospel, to the poor of the earth, because its purpose and -effect were to abolish war, slavery, polygamy, and all -unjust distinctions between men and classes of men, based -upon the idolatry of mammon. Ye know that all of -these parables were spoken with reference to this -kingdom in which communion of saints, partnership of all -believers, should secure liberty, equality, fraternity, for -all Christians. Ye know that, while the apostles -remained on earth, the believers had all things common, -except wives and children, disowned all government -except that of Jesus, obeyed all laws for the sake of -peace except such as conflicted with conscience, and so -builded up the Christian communes that governed -themselves by the laws of Christ alone, inflicting no temporal -punishment except that they refused to fellowship the -obdurately wicked. Ye know that they commonly wrought -miracles to prove the divinity of Jesus and the right of -the Church to preach and to teach in his name. We -learn from Philo the Egyptian, and from many others, -that 'those who entered upon the Christian life divested -themselves of their property, and gave it to those legally -entitled thereto or to the common Church,' and that -'the disciples of that time, animated by more ardent love -of the divine word, first fulfilled the Saviour's precept by -distributing their substance to the needy; and that the -Holy Spirit wrought many wonders through them, so -that, as soon as the gospel was heard, men voluntarily -and in crowds eagerly embraced the true faith.' Ye -know that three bishops were ordained by the apostles, -even Lucius, Evodius, and Polycarp, all of whom -consecrated their property to the common Church, as did -the apostolical fathers Clemens, Ignatius, Barnabas, -Hermas, as also did Paulinas, Cyprian, Hilary, and countless -other well-known and notable Christians; and ye know -that such were the law and the practice of the Church until -very recent times! Ye know that thaumaturgy remained -with the Church until this divine ordinance was neglected. -Ye know, brethren, that there were no slaves, no -war, no rich, no poor, no kings, no rulers, in the kingdom -of our Lord, but liberty, fraternity, equality for all; -and that war, slavery, mammon-worship, which had ever -been the curse of human life, were abolished by the -gospel of Christ. Brethren, already in the Western Empire -(and from this day in the East) all this is changed. -'The kingdom of heaven' is utterly subverted. Even -the bishops came hither with slaves; many of you are -'rich men,' that could not enter into the kingdom of -heaven. The Church conformeth in all things to the -imperial laws: for that man Constantine hath such -unbounded ambition and unbelief that he suffereth not -the Church of Christ to exist in the world, and hath -so founded the Church of Constantine, subverting all of -Christianity except its spiritual truth. But ye can -plainly see what things shall come to pass. That man whom -ye love because it hath suited the purposes of his -atheistic ambition to protect the Church against other tyrants, -hath established an imperial legal religion for the world, -and declares that he will persecute all who conform not -thereto. So did the Scribes and Pharisees; so did -Tiberius Cæsar, Nero, Diocletian, and the rest of his -predecessors; but so Jesus and his apostles never did. I -know not whether that man who doeth these things, -and hath begun to found his capital, called by his own -name of blasphemy, upon seven hills above the sea, be -he of whom John in the Apocalypse did speak, but he -suiteth well in many respects with what John did prophesy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hear me yet a little further. Ye will all, or nearly -all, subscribe this creed! Ye will be forced so to do! -For the Holy Spirit cometh upon no council of an -earthly emperor, but only of Christ's Church. Henceforth, -therefore, thaumaturgy shall be lost unto the Church! -Henceforth, therefore, Christianity shall be a human -institution! And the faith of Christians will be first one -thing, then another, as successive emperors may determine -to be best. Those who now are orthodox will be -proscribed as heretics, and those who now are heretics -will be called orthodox; and Christian emperors will seek -to exterminate Christian heretics with fire and sword -throughout the world. For the millions of Armenia, -and many more throughout Egypt, Syria, and Africa, -and the whole nation of the Goths, are as I am--what -ye call Arian. So is the brave, the successful, the -popular Crispus Cæsar. So is Ulfilas, whom Constantine -calleth the Moses of the Goths, whom he now proposes -to ordain a bishop over the people whom he converted, -and upon whom Constantine made war to force them to -accommodate their religion to imperial law. So is -Constantia, the sister of the emperor, the widow of Licinius; -and so is the young Licinius, her son, and others -perhaps of the same imperial family, concerning whom I do -not know. See ye not that when Constantine shall die, -and his sons shall succeed to empire, the faith of Christ -which is now condemned shall be established by the -imperial law as true?--And even thou, Athanasius, next -Bishop of Alexandria, mayst find thyself a fugitive from -thine episcopal palace (which the emperor shall give unto -thee), a vagabond upon the friendless earth, a martyr for, -or a renegade from, what thou now maintainest to be true!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Brethren, I go hence to death, or banishment, or -both. I care not for it. For I live in the steadfast faith -and hope that, although the kingdom of heaven be now -subverted by the man of sin, yet again some time, -somehow, somewhere, it shall be re-established upon the -foundation of faith and communism which our Lord did lay, -and shall prevail; and war, slavery, and mammon-worship, -shall all cease to curse the world; for all people that -love liberty and hate tyrants shall be Arians, and mankind -shall yet realize the promise of our Lord which he -confirmed by his life, by his miracles and parables, and by -his death and resurrection, of universal liberty, equality, -and fraternity. Brethren, farewell! and the peace of God -be with you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the gaunt, sad, immovable, and irreconcilable -heretic walked calmly out of the hall. During the -utterance of this terrible oration, many seemed awed by -the solemn grandeur and prophetic earnestness of the -speaker; many were terrified at his fearless denunciation -of the plans, atheism, and hypocrisy of the emperor; and -some secretly rejoiced because they supposed that his -boldness irrevocably sealed his doom. Constantine himself, -convulsed with suppressed wrath, grew pale with passion, -and bit his lips to restrain some indiscreet expression of -his jealousy, doubt, and fear, as Arius declared the -numbers and strength of the Arian party in Armenia, Egypt, -Syria, and among the Goths, and eulogized the gallant -Crispus Cæsar, his popular and splendid son.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="one-jot-that-passed-from-the-law"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ONE JOT THAT PASSED FROM THE LAW.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On that very night the grand, lonely, immovable -presbyter disappeared, and in that council was seen no more. -But the next day came the emperor's sister Constantia, -the widow of Licinius, and Licinius, her son, and Crispus -Cæsar, the eldest son of Constantine, born of his first wife -Minervina, and the emperor's mother, Helena, and all, -casting themselves at the feet of Constantine, with tears -and supplications besought him that the great, learned, -and holy Arius might not be put to death. And they so -vehemently urged this petition that Constantine finally -seemed to give way thereto, and promised, confirming his -promise with an awful oath, that he would spare the life -of the presbyter. In truth, he supposed that to execute -Arius would be impolitic, because it would forever alienate -a very large number of his subjects, and he wished to avoid -it, and also to win praises for his clemency. He -therefore ordered that Arius be banished to, and closely -guarded in, a strong fortress in the wildest portion of -Illyricum, until, "in the opinion of the emperor, the -Arians of Armenia, Egypt, and Syria, and the Goths, -might have become reconciled unto the creed of Nicea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Crispus Cæsar boldly declared that he indorsed the -opinions of Arius, and regarded the great heretic with -larger love and reverence than any other man had ever -gained from him; and the emperor heard this declaration -with gloom and hatred, but in ominous silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And one by one, under the influence of the threats of -Constantine, who still held the bishops together, determined -to extort the unanimous consent of all to the acts of -the council, under the specious and continuous arguments -and forced interpretations of the creed, used by his -partisans both lay and clerical, and under the benumbing and -stupefying effects of protracted weariness and hopelessness -all of them finally subscribed the creed, except Arius and -six others--Eusebius of Cæsarea, Eusebius of Nicomedia, -Theonas, Bishop of Marmarica, Secundus, Bishop of -Theuchira, Euzoius the deacon, Achillas the reader, and -Saras, a presbyter--against all of whom the emperor made -a decree of perpetual banishment, but gave not orders for -the enforcement thereof. He was not satisfied; especially -he was dissatisfied because he was unable to extort the -signatures of the Eusebii; and he still waited, determined in -some way to obtain these signatures. Finally, he caused -Eusebius of Cæsarea to be brought before him, and, -assuming an air of great friendliness and concern toward -him, he said: "Dear bishop, I did tell thee long ago that -our differences about the Arian heresy must never be a -cause of quarrel between thee and me. I wish to know -what difficulty thou hast (and thy brother) in subscribing -the creed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Eusebius answered: "The difficulty truly is not -a very large one; it is just the size and shape of an -'iota' of the Greek alphabet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it is as insignificant as that," answered the -emperor, "let us quietly remove it and be friends again. -Tell me, therefore, what thou dost mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou here the creed?" asked Eusebius.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine handed the parchment to him, and -Eusebius said: "This word [Greek: </span><em class="italics">homoousios</em><span>] is one which Arius -condemneth as implying the identity of Father and Son, -and my conscience suffereth not me to sign it; but the -word [Greek: </span><em class="italics">homoiousios</em><span>], which differeth therefrom only by the -one small [Greek: </span><em class="italics">iota</em><span>] therein, expresses exactly what I believe, -that Father and Son are of like divine nature."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And wouldst thou sign it if this letter had been -written therein? and thy brother? and the others who -are sentenced to banishment?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It shall never be said," laughed Constantine, "that -I have lost my friend and bishop for such a trifle!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he pointed out the fact that a small "[Greek: </span><em class="italics">i</em><span>]" had -been dexterously inserted between -"[Greek: </span><em class="italics">homo</em><span>]" and "[Greek: </span><em class="italics">ousios</em><span>]" in -both the places where the word occurred in the creed, -making it the Arian [Greek: </span><em class="italics">homoiousios</em><span>], -instead of the Trinitarian [Greek: </span><em class="italics">homoousios</em><span>].</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, bishop, give me thy signature, and communicate -this arrangement confidentially unto the others, and -let them come and sign also, that the creed may be -unanimously signed, and all of these unseemly -dissensions banished out of the established Church."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bishop laughed lightly, but signed the confession -of faith, and not long afterward all the others did so, -except Arius, who was already far upon the road to the -heart of Illyricum.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine had now completed his long-cherished -design of subverting the social and political organization -of the primitive Church, and establishing a state -religion, of which he might be the head in place of -Jesus Christ, in whose name he founded a system that -was in open rebellion against the Saviour's whole life -and teachings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It remained only for him to have the action of the -OEcumenical Council confirmed by some miraculous -circumstances, and the imperial ingenuity was fully equal -to the occasion; for two members of the council had -died at Nicea during its protracted session, and were -buried in the church: With a grand and ostentatious -procession by torch-light, the sacred roll of parchment -was taken to their tomb and left there through the -night, the emperor himself having prayed publicly that, -if the departed bishops approved the action of the -council, they might in some way signify their assent to the -decrees and creed thereof; and early the next morning -the signatures of the dead bishops were found upon the -parchment! Their endorsement was unequivocal: "We, -Chrysanthus and Mysonius, fully concurring with the first -Holy and OEcumenical Synod, although removed from -earth, have signed the volume with our own hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still, the emperor did not dissolve the assembly, and, -in order to gain over the personal affection even of those -who had most stubbornly resisted his sacrilegious -domination of the council, he provided a magnificent banquet -for the members thereof, and lavished upon them every -mark of love and honor. He lodged the one-eyed, -hamstrung old Paphnutius in his own palace, "and often -sent for him to hear the story of his persecutions; and -now it was remarked how he would throw his arms round -the old man, and put his lips to his eyeless socket as -if to suck out with his reverential kiss the blessing which, -as it were, lurked in the sacred cavity, and stroked down -with his imperial hand the frightful wound; how he -pressed his legs and arms, and the royal purple, to the -paralyzed limbs, and put his own eyeball into the -socket." And, because those maimed and tortured members of the -council who had been "confessors" enjoyed the reputation -of especial sanctity and honor throughout the Church, -Constantine used the same disgusting demagogy in his -dealings with them all, and fawned upon and flattered -them in the name of Jesus, until he believed he had -stolen for himself their influence in aiding him to -eradicate primitive Christianity out of the East, as he had -already done in the West, and so banishing the kingdom -of heaven from the face of the earth; and so nourishing -in the very bosom of the Church, maintained and -governed by imperial authority, the ancient crimes of war, -slavery, and mammon-worship, perpetuating the bondage -of the people unto the ruling classes, and giving the -sanction of religion to class distinctions between men and -families, based upon this idolatry, which had been always -the curse of human life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And for a whole year Constantine pursued his -purpose quietly, unceasingly, intelligently, by the use of a -thousand different means and agencies, to reduce the East -to a condition of ecclesiastical serfdom to his authority, -and to confirm, popularize, and consolidate his power. -But the slow, doubtful, hesitating adoption of the -imperial church by the Christians of Armenia, and to a -less degree by those of Syria, Egypt, and the Gothic -provinces along the Danube, to whom he had sent back -their teacher Ulfilas after ordaining him to be a royal -bishop, inspired the emperor with misgivings of the -future, and with an almost unreasoning jealousy and hatred -of Crispus Cæsar, his son, who was the favorite of all -those regions, and of Licinius, who represented the -family of the legitimate sovereign thereof, whom Constantine -had dethroned and destroyed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the next year the emperor went to Rome to celebrate -the Ides of Quintilis, the anniversary of the battle -of Lake Regillus, in which, according to the chronicles -of pagan Rome, the twin-gods Castor and Pollux had -fought in defense of the Eternal City, and brought thereto -the welcome news of victory. It was esteemed to be the -most sacred ceremony known to the Roman people. During -the grand festival, Constantine, believing that after -the Council of Nicea his own ecclesiastical system was -so powerful and so securely established that he need not -longer patronize the heathen, refused to take his proper -place in the ancient ritual appropriate to the occasion, -and even exhibited his contempt for the empty pageantry -of a legion of knights passing in solemn procession, -by commenting upon their appearance with that caustic, -epigrammatic wit of which few men were more thoroughly -master. That large portion of the Romans who -yet openly adhered to the ancient religion were insulted -and furious at the conduct of the emperor, and there -was a fierce riot in the streets, during which stones were -hurled at the statues of the emperor, and attempts made -to overthrow them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His wife Fausta, the daughter of the fierce old -emperor Maximian, inherited much of her father's cruel -nature and imperious ambition. She and Constantine had -three sons--Constantine, Constantius, and Constans. She -had always envied Crispus Cæsar the superiority which -his primogenial rights gave to him as the first-born of -Constantine over her own sons, and especially had her -jealousy been inflamed by the splendid reputation which -young Cæsar had gained by the skill and courage wherewith -he had defeated the vastly superior navy of Licinius -in the straits of the Hellespont. Next to the great -emperor himself stood Crispus Cæsar, not only in official -station, but in the love and admiration of the world; -and her own sons occupied a far less conspicuous position, -which was rendered more galling to her pride by the very -prominence derived from the fact that they also were the -sons of the emperor. Fausta had remarked with secret -joy the open aid and friendship showed by Crispus Cæsar -for Arius, which fact had aroused the suspicions, as much -as the victory of Crispus had excited the jealousy, of the -emperor. She failed not, also, to perceive that the -devotion of Constantia, the widow of Licinius, and of the -Empress Helena, Constantine's mother, to this same Arius, -had created a common interest and friendship between -Cæsar, Helena, and Constantia, while Eusebius of -Nicomedia was the trusted friend and adviser of all of them, -and the tutor of young Licinius. Fausta herself, the -daughter of a pagan and the wife of an atheist, was as -nearly devoid of religious sentiment as it was ever possible -for a woman to become; and, like her husband, thought -that all faith is only superstition, which may be -advantageously used by a wise ruler for the government of -men; and understanding better than any one else that -Constantine regarded the free Arian spirit as the most -dangerous element in the political future of the empire, -she had cunningly employed every artifice and innuendo -that could tend to inflame his personal hatred of these -religious dissenters. She affected to regard the riot in -the streets of Rome as arising from the machinations of -the Arian recusants. Knowing that Constantine had only -once visited Rome since the overthrow of Maxentius, and -that he disliked the place, she pretended to desire that -he should fix his imperial residence at Rome, on the -ground that Milan was inconveniently situated, and that -both Nicomedia and Constantinople, being in the midst -of vast Arian communities, were unsafe for him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She thought that the rioting in Rome gave her the -opportunity to take some decisive step in accomplishing -her long-cherished designs, and began more vehemently -to press her insidious suggestions upon the gloomy soul -of the atheist whom she knew to worship only himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If the stone wherewith these Arian strangers who -are in the city marred the head of thy statue on the -Via Sacra had smitten thee, thou wouldst have been slain -at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," said the emperor, dryly, passing his hand over -his forehead, "I feel not the slightest pain from the -blow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The undirected mob is powerless against thee," she -said; "but this infamous act is but the unguarded -expression of a sentiment common to the millions of -Armenia, and to large numbers of the Egyptians and Syrians, -and to nearly all of the Goths."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What hath caused thee so much uneasiness from -such a trifle as the throwing of a stone or two? The royal -blood should despise such visionary fears."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the guardsman, Pilus, who hath lately come -from Illyricum, informeth me that in the garrison it is -commonly reported that the heretic Arius saith that, -if Christians could lawfully bear arms, the Arians of -Armenia and the Goths alone could seat Licinius upon -the throne of his father, and Crispus Cæsar upon thine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But neither Licinius, nor Crispus, nor the Arians, -cherish any such treasonable designs," said Constantine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear lest thou art lulled into a false security. -Ever anxious for thy safety and for thy glory, I have -consulted auguries and oracles, and, although these things -have no great weight with thee or with me as matters of -religious faith, the oracles were always valuable portents to -show the drift of popular opinion and desire; and no great -statesman can afford to despise them, for that which the -multitude long after doth sooner or later come to pass; -and all the divinations portend calamity to thee and thy -house from the Arians."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But Licinius is a boy, and Crispus Cæsar is quiet, -modest, temperate, and unostentatious. He hath neither -vices nor ambitions that require him to aspire higher -than he already standeth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou wouldst rather cease to be than cease to rule -the empire. Dominion is the dominant passion of thy -lofty soul. It is the marked characteristic of thy race. -There are other men mastered by similar ambition. The -quiet, orderly life of Cæsar may blind the eyes of -mankind to an ambition that would hesitate at nothing. Thy -father was such a temperate youth that he sacrificed all -common lusts and appetites to win the sovereignty of -Rome, and he would not have been contented long with -that if he had lived. Thou didst inherit his nature -with his military genius, and thou hast lived moderately -in order to gain the sovereignty of the world. Crispus -hath inherited from thee the great abilities which -enabled him to triumph on the Hellespont and share thy -glory, or rather take to himself the greater share. He -would not forego the pleasures of youth and the advantages -of his great position unless he were constantly meditating -upon some great design. Look to thyself, Augustus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such insidious counsels she constantly offered to the -jealous and cruel emperor, and they bore a deadly fruit. -Suddenly the gallant young Cæsar was seized, transported -to the gloomy fortress of Pola, imprisoned, and -then murdered, by order of "the most Christian -Emperor Constantine," "the favorite of God," "the -defender of the faith," his father! Almost immediately -the young Licinius was snatched from the arms of his -mother, and put to death by the order of his uncle, -Constantine, "the first Christian Emperor of Rome."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have fortified my throne against all danger from -Crispus Cæsar and the Arians," said Constantine unto -himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The road to royal favor and to future power is -opened for my splendid brood of Cæsars," murmured -Fausta under her breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Empress Fausta hath plotted against and murdered -my gallant son Crispus, and my grandson Licinius, -whom I loved. I will be revenged upon the cruel -murderess or die!" was the unuttered comment of the -Empress-mother Helena; and from that hour, with the slow, -settled, and deliberate hatred of old age and hopeless -sorrow, she sought for the life of Fausta.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The world held its breath in horror at these fearful -crimes, and hardly did the historians of that age dare to -commit any account thereof unto posterity. But it was -impossible for the officers of the Illyrian fortress, where -Arius was imprisoned, to speak of such atrocities -without some knowledge thereof coming to their quiet, -intelligent prisoner. When he heard of the assassination -of Crispus Cæsar and of Licinius, the only comment -made by the stern, inflexible, incorruptible old heretic -was this: "A council of Christ's Church ought not to -be oecumenical and barren; and the first one already -beareth terrible but legitimate fruits."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The empress-mother, old Helena, continually and skillfully -directed the suspicions of her dark-souled, bloody -son against the Empress Fausta herself; and, when she -had prepared her vengeance so that she thought it could -not fail, she accused Fausta of infidelity to the emperor, -with that same Pilus, of the imperial guardsmen. Many -craftily prepared circumstances corroborated the infamous -and degrading accusation, and quickly and secretly the -emperor put his wife to death.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Small recompense for my great wrong," murmured -Helena, "but all that I can take; for the woman's -beautiful sons are also mine own grandchildren."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have no friend on earth," mused Constantine, -"except my mother and Eusebius of Cæsarea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the gloomy old prisoner of the Illyrian fortress -heard of the murder of Fausta, upon this disgraceful -charge of adultery with a guardsman, he said: "The grand -name of Constantine is soaked with domestic blood and -draggled in domestic filth. The royal oecumenical council -beareth such strange and deadly fruit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officers of the fortress were held to be accountable -with their lives for the heretic's safe-keeping, and -vigilant spies reported to Constantine almost every word -he uttered, and stole and transmitted to the emperor -almost every line he wrote, and the old man's gloomy -comments upon the condition of the Church, and his strange -and seemingly inspired interpretations of prophecy, which -he supposed to relate to Constantine and his new city -of Constantinople, built upon seven hills, above the -narrow straits whereto the commerce of the world resorted, -doubtless aided Fausta's and Helena's conspiracies to lead -him into the commission of those horrible crimes which -shocked the moral sense of the world, and justified the -pagans in breathless wonder as to what new atrocities -would follow the legal establishment of the Christian -faith--atrocities that perhaps afterward drove Julian the -Apostate to struggle for the restoration of paganism. And -doubtless Arius himself would long ago have perished, -if the emperor had not hoped to obtain from his -manuscripts and prophecies warning of every coming danger.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="an-imperial-repentance"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">AN IMPERIAL REPENTANCE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>But, although these secret horrors, which degraded the -noblest family of the empire, were kept as still as -private crimes, and men dared scarcely speak of them -except in terrified whispers, the knowledge thereof spread -abroad, until enough was known to fill the Christian -world with detestation of the emperor; and he whose -governing passion had been to rule mankind, and to -command their respect and reverence at any cost, found -himself to be held by the popular verdict as an -outcast from virtue and decency. His iron soul was proof -against every shaft except this, but the wound it inflicted -upon his boundless self-love was bitter and incurable. -Realizing that he had outraged the moral sentiment of -Christendom by these atrocious crimes, the emperor -determined to overthrow what he called Christianity, and -re-establish the pagan religion, charging his crimes to -the blinding influences of the superstition and strong -magic of the Church, and thereby win for himself the -love and confidence of that large portion of his subjects -who still adhered to the ancient idolatries. In -pursuance of this design, Constantine applied to the flamens -at Rome for purification from his domestic crimes, as -the first step toward the rehabilitation of his moral -nakedness and deformity; but the priests, who knew his -crafty, unscrupulous, cruel, and atheistic nature, and who -already had in training the young and gifted Julian, -seized this opportunity to gratify their theological hate, -by boldly declaring that the ancient rituals of paganism -did not know any form of expiation for such fearful -and unnecessary crimes as his.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Constantine turned away forever from heathenism, -and sent for Hosius, Bishop of Cordova, who assured -him that "in Christianity all sin, however great, may -find forgiveness: for He saveth unto the uttermost all -that come unto God by him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what method must I use to secure this forgiveness?" -asked the emperor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only true repentance toward God, and humble, sincere -faith in Jesus Christ," said the bishop.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, with a singular smile, Constantine looked at -the bishop and answered: "Bishop, thou dost forget that -thou art not now talking to a woman taken in adultery, -nor to a thief upon the cross. Farewell!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And with a wave of the hand the emperor contemptuously -dismissed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Constantine could not endure the popular detestation -of which he knew himself to be justly the object, and -as a last resort he sent for Eusebius of Cæsarea. Eusebius -knew the emperor fully as well as the emperor knew him, -and, of course, knew that he might as well chant psalms -to a deaf ass as to recommend faith and repentance to the -imperial atheist, as Hosius of Cordova had innocently -endeavored to do. When Eusebius came before the -emperor, Constantine spoke to him in a light, bantering tone, -saying: "Bishop, Crispus Cæsar became infatuated with -the idea that he was great enough to wear my sandals and -to wield my spear even while I live; and the young man -met with a fatal accident. The youth Licinius, and the -woman Fausta, exposed themselves to some unwholesome -atmosphere, and the results of their indiscretion were -deleterious to their health. These events have happened -unfortunately for me, and I require thine unfailing aid in -avoiding further inconvenience from them. What canst -thou do for me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could not the flamens of Jupiter give thy burdened -conscience rest?" said the bishop, quietly, but with -malicious pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," answered Constantine, laughing. "The priests -are good haters--somewhat too demonstrative, perhaps, -but steady and reliable in their antipathies; and so they -took out their spite upon me the first time Fate gave them -an opportunity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could not the most learned and holy Hosius point -out to thee the road to peace?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, indeed. That respectable idiot began some sort -of mummery concerning faith and repentance; but I cut -him short. Bishop, thou wert not wont to be so difficult. -I confess that, since the Council of Nicea, I have not done -justice to thy superior merit, and have even felt somewhat -estranged from thee. Forget all that, and let us once -more be friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Augustus," said the bishop, "I have keenly felt the -withdrawal of thy favor, although I have complained to -no one. I think that, if it had been otherwise, I could -have showed thee sufficient reasons for avoiding some -terrible mistakes. What is the exact difficulty which -these mistakes have led thee upon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Arians are rejoiced by any occurrence that -gives them a pretext for railing at me; the orthodox -Christians have the unblushing impudence to attempt to -sit in judgment upon the actions of the emperor that -rescued them from persecutions, and affect to be shocked -thereby, just as if they were fit to judge his deeds or -comprehend his policy; the implacable flamens hope to make -such use of these accidents as to lead the world back to -paganism without my aid. The Arians hate me because -I would not permit them to establish a kingdom in the -empire of which I was not to be the king. Thou must -find some way to conciliate the fools, for the hearts of all -men are estranged from me; and, as thou hast always -known, I would rather rule by love than by terror. But -rule I will, while I shall live. Now, how can I regain my -former hold upon either the pagan or the Christian world?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou must first of all definitely abandon the idea -that the empire can ever return to paganism," said -Eusebius. "The amazing progress of Christianity among the -people and the rapid decline of heathenism demonstrate -that the old religion hath almost ceased to be a political -force, and any emperor who would seek to re-establish it -is foredoomed to certain failure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let that pass. Ye bishops always regard the Church -as the first thing to be considered. I concede that thou -art right. What then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou must also understand," said Eusebius, with -malicious pleasure, "that, while the will of the emperor is -the law of the land, it is no longer the standard of right -and wrong for Christians. Thy statutes may control -political life, and prescribe the external forms of worship for -the Church: its conscience hath passed even beyond thy -control."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine turned white with wrath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The impudent beggars!" he cried, "whom I redeemed -from tortures and from death! Where, then, was -their 'conscience' when the council subverted the kingdom -of heaven upon earth, and they all signed the decree -which abolished the earthly sovereignty of Christ? But," -checking his furious anger with a mighty effort, "what next?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If a man hath done a crime," said Eusebius, "no -matter how cruel and unnatural, the Christians -understand that he may obtain forgiveness for his sin by -repentance and faith, even as King David did in the matter -of Bath-sheba."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well!" said Constantine, impatiently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Christian world will never pardon thee without -this repentance and faith, or the appearance of it," said -Eusebius, and he uttered the last few words in a low, -peculiar tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what shape might 'the appearance of it' assume?" -asked the emperor, with a laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mightst go in sackcloth and ashes unto the -church and publicly pray to God and man for pardon!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I might far sooner hang up a bishop and exterminate -a sect that would seriously insist upon any such -degrading terms!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I supposed," said Eusebius, "and even then such -a course would only be 'the appearance' of faith and -repentance, not the things themselves. But thou mightst -build a church and dedicate it unto the memory of Cæsar; -or set up his statue, with an inscription intimating that -he was the victim of a mistake, and the object of affectionate -and sorrowful remembrance. Either of these 'appearances -of it' might be sufficient."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will answer," cried Constantine. "Crispus -Cæsar was a handsome man, and an excellent subject for -a statue. The statue shall be of gold, and the inscription -shall be, 'To Crispus, mine injured and innocent son.' Will -that, think you, reconcile the orthodox? Or what -else dost thou advise?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Empress-mother Helena should exhibit some -similar token of repentance for her hatred of the Empress -Fausta."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what 'appearance of it' should her faith and -repentance assume?" said Constantine, laughing merrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Recently," replied Eusebius, "a lively interest hath -sprung up throughout the Church in the 'holy places' in -Palestine. If the empress should make a pilgrimage to the -Holy Land, and found there a handsome church and some -sacred shrines, she would cease to annoy thee, amuse -herself, and do a great work toward restoring the love and -confidence of Christians to thyself and her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a true and glorious bishop," laughed the -emperor, "and thou dost never forget the welfare of the -Church. The empress-mother shall go quickly on her -sacred pilgrimage, and all the holy places shall rejoice. Is -not that enough? Or is there yet something more?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This would suffice for the orthodox," said Eusebius; -"but years have passed since the Council of Nicea. Time -hath assuaged the bitterness of former days, which would, -perhaps, have faded out altogether but that the -banishment of Arius keepeth it alive. If thou wouldst -reconcile the whole Church unto thyself, recall and even show -some special honor to the Libyan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast reserved thy bitterest medicine for the last!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it is necessary, Augustus. For days past thy -sister Constantia, who is even now upon the bed of death, -hath entreated me that I would come unto thee and ask -thee to visit her, that she might make it her dying request -that thou recall Arius and restore his church to him. -Of course I could not come till thou didst order it." And -then the bishop, fixing his eyes firmly upon the -face of Constantine, with his right hand extended, said -with inexpressible dignity: "Augustus, thy sister's -husband, Licinius, the Emperor of the East, and her only -son, Licinius, both perished by thine own order; yet -her devotion unto thee hath never faltered. Surely thou -canst not refuse her dying supplications!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Constantine's face for once grew soft with a genuine -emotion of humanity, and he replied: "Surely not, -bishop! I always loved Constantia. I will visit her, -and do whatever she desires."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go to-day, then," said Eusebius, "for she hath but -few hours more to live."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Constantine went; and the long and sorely tried -and deeply injured, but still faithful and loving sister, -with her dying breath besought him to recall the great -and holy Arius, and restore the peace and unity of the -Church and of the empire; and with a mighty oath (as -usual) he promised so to do.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="well-done-good-and-faithful-servant"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During the slow lapse of all the years which had -passed away since the date of the Nicene Council, Arius -the Libyan was almost as much dead unto the world -as if he had indeed departed from this life. None, -except the emperor and a few trusted officers, knew -anything more of him than that he was kept a close prisoner -somewhere in Illyricum, none knew precisely where; and -so carefully was the secret guarded, that even unto this -day the precise place and manner of his imprisonment -remain entirely unknown. For a few years after he had -disappeared so suddenly, there were now and then vague -rumors in circulation that some of his devoted adherents -had discovered the location of his prison, and were -plotting to deliver him therefrom; and the same rumors -indefinitely connected the names of Crispus Cæsar and -of young Licinius with these revolutionary designs; and -cunning Fausta had used these rumors, with remorseless -skill and intelligence, to the destruction of them both. -But whether these were merely vague and idle surmises, -whether there was some foundation in fact for them, or -whether the crafty emperor himself had invented and -floated them, in order to justify the murders upon which -he had already determined, will forever be unknown. -For, upon the perpetration of these enormous crimes, a -mist of horror overspread the empire that hid the name -and memory of the Libyan from the popular gaze, and -thenceforth absolutely nothing was known of him until -he suddenly and unexpectedly appeared at Constantinople.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few days after the funeral of Constantia, Constantine -summoned Eusebius and said unto him: "Bishop, -I swore unto Constantia that I would recall Arius speedily, -and I will keep mine oath; for reflection convinceth -me that piety in this regard is true policy also. In -what manner dost thou deem it most fitting to effectuate -this purpose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do it like a Christian, like a statesman, like an -emperor," said Eusebius, "with a whole heart, generously! -And let there be nothing small, or niggardly, or -mean, in thine action. A few narrow-minded ones among -the orthodox may for a while murmur at it; but the -Arians will rejoice, and all Christians and all men will say -it was a noble thing to do! Therefore, let it be done -in a grand and princely way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Particularize the programme which thou thinkest to -be 'grand' and 'princely.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let free pardon be granted unto Arius, without -conditions of any kind whatever. Let proclamation be -made that the presbyter will be received into communion -again, in thine own city and in thine own church, and -then transferred to his old pastoral charge, the Baucalis -church in Alexandria, and so recompense his sufferings -with a triumphant return, and receive him at the church-door -in thine own person!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It shall so be done at once," answered Constantine. -"No apologies or explanations to be demanded or -received. Do thou immediately set a day, and carefully -arrange all the details of the ceremony as thou wilt. -I will have the old heretic here at the appointed time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Eusebius with a glad heart set to work to carry -the emperor's design into effect. Some among the -orthodox murmured, and on the evening before the day -appointed, Alexander, the Bishop of Constantinople, was -heard to exclaim, "Let me, or Arius, die before tomorrow!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the emperor's will could not be resisted; and, -although the orthodox shuddered to acknowledge as a -brother beloved and equal one whom they had always -branded as a heretic, the secularized, imperial Church -must commit treason or obey; for the royal oecumenical -council had borne, along with other fruit, this, that a -difference of religious faith and action might very easily -constitute the crime of treason against the emperor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the day which had been set apart for the solemn -pageantry, Arius was brought by chosen officers to the -lodgings where the Eusebii abode when in the city; but, -designing to prepare for the long-imprisoned Libyan all -the delightful surprise which a sudden realization of the -great change in his condition might afford, the Eusebii -had not permitted any one to inform him fully of the -matters contemplated. They even doubted, also, whether -the grand, ascetic, incorruptible old man would enter an -imperial church to receive honor at the hands of an -earthly sovereign unless he should be taken by surprise. When, -therefore, the next morning, at the appointed hour, they -took places upon each side of him, and invited him to -walk with them and view the grand and beautiful -metropolitan church, the ancient man went forth not -knowing what special purpose was contemplated. And as they -drew nearer unto the church, and beheld a vast concourse -of people in holiday attire, and ranks of soldiers in -magnificent array, with banners flying, and heard the mighty -shouts that seemed to rend the heavens, "Glory to -Constantine, the favorite of God!" "Long live Arius, the -great and faithful presbyter!" the Libyan paused, and, -gazing upon the Eusebii, inquired, "Bishops, beloved, what -mean these mighty clamors, and these salutations of -Constantine and Arius?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they answered, "Father, come on with us and -thou shalt gladly see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a step more, until ye have told me all!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It meaneth that thou art recalled, not only to -Constantinople, but to the very bosom of the Church, subject -to no conditions whatever! And the emperor himself -waits at the door yonder to welcome and to honor thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then brake the strong heart within him of a hopeless -sorrow, and, faintly murmuring these words, 'The -Antichrist hath triumphed here where Satan hath his seat!' -a convulsion seized upon him, and, as the two steadfast -friends strove to hold him up, the gigantic form of the -grand old man glided slowly down between them, and lay -prone upon the pavement, as if the spirit had gone out -of him forever. And presently a slight contortion swept -over the great, gaunt frame; the bony right hand -extended itself upward, waving gently from side to side; the -rough and noble head darted forward upon the long, lithe -neck; a tender smile, ineffably soft and sweet, played -around the weary, patient mouth, and lighted up the -somber eyes and haggard countenance with joy and beauty; -and gazing far away, as if his sight could pierce the -bending heavens, he sweetly murmured, 'Jesus, and Theckla -also!' Then darkness fell upon the weary face and -eyes; the mighty limbs relaxed once more; and he lay -still upon the rocky way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arius the Libyan was dead!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">THE END.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>ARIUS THE LIBYAN</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42895"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42895</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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