Next day among his letters were two of value in the history of
Vergilius--one from the procurator, apprising him of his appointment to
command the cohorts, the other a communication with no signature, the
source of which was, in his view, quite apparent. This latter one gave
him the greater satisfaction. It conveyed, in formal script, the
following message:
"TO ONE SEEKING WISDOM IN PRAYER
"If you would share in the deliberations of the Council of the
Covenant, be at the well of Nicanor, which is opposite the tenth column
in the king's portico of the temple, at the second sounding of the
sacred horns on the Day of Atonement. There wait until one shall come
and ask what you are seeking, and you shall answer, 'Knowledge of the
one God.' Then, if he turns away, follow him and do as he bids you."
His opportunity had come. He waited with the curiosity of a child.
Soon, possibly, he should see the face of the great Lawgiver and learn
of things beyond the valley of death. If all went well he would amaze
the people of Rome with wonder stories and give them assurance of
immortal life.
The city had been thronged with pilgrims that day of the ancient
festival. It was turning dusk when Vergilius made his way through
crowded streets to the well of Nicanor. Suddenly he heard a trumpet
signal, and then followed that moment of silence when every tongue and
foot and wheel stopped, quickly, and all stood listening for the awful
name spoken but once a year.
Presently the shout of the high priest rang like a trumpet-peal above
the roofs of the city. Then Jerusalem was all begirt and overflooded
with song. Maidens, white robed, were singing in distant vineyards;
people were singing in the streets; trained devotees were whirling and
dancing and chanting psalms in the court of the Temple, while priest
and Levite followed, blowing, with all their power of lung, upon the
sacred horns.
In the midst of this outbreak a stranger approached Vergilius at the
well, saying, "What seek you?" The young Roman gave his answer, but
was unable to see the face of him who questioned. The stranger turned
away and bade him follow. Without more ceremony Vergilius walked
behind him through narrow streets, wholly unfamiliar, and presently
descending a stairway, came into a dark passage. They halted, after a
few paces, whereupon a loud rap startled the new-comer. Soon he could
hear a door open. The stranger, taking his hand, led him into some
dark place. It was all very strange, and like tales long familiar,
relating to the city of mysteries. Standing there in the dark and
silence, he had some misgivings which gave way when a voice addressed
him as follows:
"You are now in the council-chamber of the Covenant. We meet in
darkness, so that no shape or form or image may turn our thought from
the contemplation of him who is most high and who hath his dwelling in
black darkness. Moreover, those who are not seen shall have neither
vanity nor the will to deceive. Would you share in our deliberations?"
Vergilius answered yes, and one of the council then took his hand and
administered the oath of secrecy, and led him to what seemed to be a
large divan, where he sat, shoulder to shoulder, between other members
of the council. He listened long to the casuistry of learned men
touching prayer, atonement, and sacrifice. It led at last to some
discussion of the new king.
"Is there one here can tell me where and when he shall be born?" was
the query of Vergilius.
"We believe the Messiah is already born," said a councillor.
"Moreover, some here have beheld his face."
"And where, then, does he dwell?" Vergilius inquired.
"That you shall know some day. At the next meeting of the council it
may be told. We wait only for the fulness of time. He dwells in a
distant city, and not long ago I spoke with him. He sent his love and
greeting to every member of our council. He bids you wait his time,
when all your prayers shall be answered."
"Shall there be signs of his coming?" So spoke Vergilius.
"There shall be signs, and you shall hear of them in this chamber."
"And what shall be the aim of the king?"
"To establish the reign of justice."
Vergilius queried much regarding the government of the new king, and
got replies adding more to his curiosity than to his knowledge.
It was near the middle hour of the night when a voice announced: "The
keeper of the new door will now leave the council."
Vergilius heard a stir coming near him in the darkness. Hands were
laid upon him, and, presently, one took his arm and led him away. The
two climbed a long flight of stairs and made hastily across a broad
roof. At a railed opening they came to other stairs, and, descending,
entered a passage, dark as had been the chamber. At its end the Roman
received a password. Then a door swung and again he was on the
pavements of Jerusalem, and, far away, could see the lights of Temple
Hill.
His conductor, returning, announced the departure of "the new voice."
"We will now hear from the keeper of records," said one.
A voice quickly answered: "He secured a lock of his hair."
"And what says the keeper of the hidden light?"
Then said another voice: "He now sees but one obstacle."
"And what says the Angel of Death?"
A low, deep tone broke the silence in which all waited. "The sixth day
before the kalends, he shall claim his own," so it answered.
"Enough," said the questioner. "The ways lead to safety. I bid you
go."
One by one the councillors began to leave. There was no treading upon
heels, for one was well out of the way before another was allowed to
go. So cunningly was their room devised that half the exits led to one
thoroughfare and half to another; and so many were they, it was said,
no more than two councillors came or went by the same door. And of all
who came, so say the records, not one knew another to be sure of him.