THE CONFESSION OF FAITH.
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution."
Four days had elapsed since the young soldier had left his chamber.
Eventful days they had been to him; days full of infinite importance.
Endless weal or woe had hung upon their issue. But the search of this
earnest soul after the truth had not been in vain.
His resolution had been taken. On the one side lay fame, honor, and
wealth; on the other, poverty, want, and woe; yet he had made his
choice, and turned to the latter without a moment's hesitation. He chose
rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season.
Upon his return he visited the general and reported himself. He informed
him that he had been among the Christians, that he could not execute his
commission, and was willing to take the consequences. The general
sternly ordered him to his quarters.
Here in the midst of deep meditation, while, conjecturing what might be
the issue of all this, he was interrupted by the entrance of Lucullus.
His friend greeted him most affectionately, but was evidently full of
anxiety.
"I have just seen the general," said he, "who sent for me to give me a
message for you. But first tell me what is this that you have done?"
Marcellus then related everything from the time he had left until his
return, concealing nothing whatever. His deep earnestness showed how
strong and true the impression was that had been made upon him. He then
related his interview with his general.
"I entered the room feeling the importance of the step I was taking. I
was about to commit an act of virtual treason, a crime which can only be
punished with death. Yet I could do nothing else.
"He received me graciously, for he thought that I had met with some
important success in my search. I told him that since I left I had been
among the Christians, and from what I had seen of them I had been forced
to change my feelings toward them. I had thought that they were enemies
of the state and worthy of death, but I found that they were loyal
subjects of the emperor and virtuous men. I could never use my sword
against such as these, and rather than do so I would give it up.
"'A soldier's feelings,' said he, 'have no right to interfere with his
duties.'
"'But my duties to the God who made me are stronger than any which I owe
to man.'
"'Has your sympathy with the Christians made you mad?' said he. 'Do you
not know that this is treason?'
"I bowed, and said that I would take the consequences.
"'Rash youth,' he cried sternly, 'go to your quarters, and I will
communicate to you my decision.'
"And so I came here at once, and have been here ever since then,
anxiously awaiting my sentence."
Lucullus had listened to the whole of Marcellus's recital without a word
or even a gesture. An expression of sad surprise upon his face told what
his feelings were. He spoke in a mournful tone as Marcellus ended.
"And what that sentence must be you certainly know as well as I. Roman
discipline, even in ordinary times, can never be trifled with, but now
the feelings of the government are excited to an unusual degree against
these Christians. If you persist in your present course you must fall."
"I have told you all my reasons."
"I know, Marcellus, your pure and sincere nature. You have always been
of a devout mind. You have loved the noble teachings of philosophy. Can
you not satisfy yourself with these as before? Why should you be
attracted by the wretched doctrine of a crucified Jew?"
"I have never been satisfied with the philosophy of which you speak. You
yourself know that there is nothing certain in it on which the soul may
trust. But the Christian religion is the truth of God, brought down by
himself, and sanctified by his own death."
"You have thoroughly explained the whole Christian creed to me. Your own
enthusiasm has made it appear attractive, I will confess; and if all its
followers were really like yourself my dear Marcellus, it might be
adapted to bless the world. But I come not here to argue upon religion.
I come to speak about yourself. You are in danger, my dear friend; your
station, your honor, your office, your very life is at stake. Consider
what you have done. An important commission was intrusted to you, upon
the execution of which you set out. It was expected that you would
return bringing important information. But instead of this you come back
and inform the general that you have gone over to the enemy, that you
are one of them in heart, and that you refuse to bear arms against them.
If the soldier is free to choose whom he will fight what becomes of
discipline? He must obey orders. Am I right?"
"You are, Lucullus."
"The question for you to decide is not whether you will choose
philosophy or Christianity, but whether you will be a Christian or a
soldier. For as the times are now you see that it is impossible for you
to be a soldier and a Christian at the same time. One of the two must be
given up. And not only so, but if you decide upon being a Christian you
must at once share their fate, for no distinction can be made in favor
of you. On the other hand, if you continue a soldier you must fight
against the Christians."
"That is no doubt the question."
"You have warm friends who are willing to forget your great offense,
Marcellus. I know your enthusiastic nature, and I have pleaded with the
general for you. He too respects you for your soldierly qualities. He is
willing to forgive you under certain circumstances."
"What are they?"
"The most merciful of all conditions. Let the past four days be
forgotten. Banish them from your memory. Resume your commission. Take
your soldiers and go at once about your duty in arresting these
Christians."
"Lucullus," said Marcellus, rising from his seat with folded arms, "I
love you as a friend, I am grateful for your faithful affection. Never
can I forget it. But I have that within me to which you are a stranger,
which is stronger than all honors of state. It is the love of God. For
this I am ready, to give up all, honor, rank, and life itself. My
decision is irrevocable. I am a Christian."
For a moment Lucullus sat in astonishment and grief looking at his
friend. He was well acquainted with his resolute soul, and saw with pain
how completely his persuasions had failed. At length he spoke again. He
used every argument that he could think of. He brought forward every
motive that might influence him. He told him of the terrible fate that
awaited him, and the peculiar vengeance that would be directed against
him. But all his words were completely useless. At length he rose in
deep sadness.
"Marcellus," he said, "you tempt fate. You are rushing madly upon a
terrible destiny. Everything that fortune can bestow is before you, but
you turn away from all to cast your lot among wretched outcasts. I have
done the duty of a friend in trying to turn you from your folly, but all
that I can do is of no avail.
"I have brought you the sentence of the general. You are degraded from
office. You are put under arrest as a Christian. To-morrow you will be
seized and handed over to punishment. But many hours are yet before you,
and I may still have the mournful satisfaction of assisting you to
escape. Fly then at once. Hasten, for there is no time to lose. There is
only one place in the world where you can be secure from the vengeance
of Caesar."
Marcellus heard in silence. Slowly he took off his splendid arms and
laid them down, sadly he unfastened his gorgeous armor which he had worn
so proudly. He stood in his simple tunic before his friend.
"Lucullus, again I say that I can never forget your faithful friendship.
Would we were flying together, that your prayers might ascend with mine
to Him whom I serve. But enough, I will go. Farewell."
"Farewell, Marcellus. We may never meet in life again. If you are ever
in want or peril you know on whom you can rely."
The two young men embraced, and Marcellus hastily took his departure.
He walked out of the camp and onward until he reached the Forum. All
around him were stately marble temples and columns and monuments. There
the arch of Titus spanned the Via Sacra; there the imperial palace
reared its gigantic form on high, rich in stately architecture, in
glorious adornments of precious marbles, and glowing in golden
decorations. On one side the lofty walls of the Coliseum arose; beyond,
the stupendous dome of the Temple of Peace; and on the other the
Capitoline Hill upraised its historic summit, crowned with a cluster of
stately temples that stood out in sharp relief against the sky.
To this he directed his steps, and ascended the steep declivity up to
the top of the hill. From the summit he looked around upon the scene.
The place itself was a spacious square paved with marble, and surrounded
with lordly temples. On one side was the Campus Martius bounded afar
onward to the Mediterranean. On every other side the city spread its
unequaled extent, crowding to the narrow walls, and over-leaping them to
throw out its radiating streets far away on every side into the country.
Temples and columns and monuments reared their lofty heads. Innumerable
statues filled the streets with a population of sculptured forms,
fountains dashed into the air, chariots rolled through the streets, the
legions of Rome marched to and fro in military array, and on every side
surged the restless tide of life in the Imperial city.
Far away the plain extended, dotted with countless villages and houses
and palaces, rich in luxuriant verdure, the dwelling-place of peace and
plenty. On one side arose the blue outline of the Apennines, crowned
with snow; on the other the dark waves of the Mediterranean washed the
far distant shore.
Suddenly Marcellus was startled by a shout. He turned. An old man in
scant clothing, with emaciated face and frenzied gesticulation, was
shouting out a strain of fearful denunciation. His wild glance and
fierce manner showed that he was partly insane.
"'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,
And is become the habitation of devils,
And the hold of every foul spirit,
And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird;
For God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you,
And double unto her double according to her works.
How much hath she glorified herself and lived deliciously,
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day,
Death, and mourning, and famine;
And she shall be utterly burned with fire;
For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
The kings of the earth
Shall bewail and lament,
Seeing the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for fear of her torment,
Crying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon,
That mighty city Babylon,
For in one hour is thy judgment come.
The merchants of the earth,
Standing afar off for fear of her torment,
Shall weep and wail.
Crying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon,
That was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet.
And decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls.
For in one hour so great riches is come to naught!
And every shipmaster, and the company in ships,
And sailors and traders by sea,
Shall cry when they see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for fear of her torment.
'What city is like unto that great city!'
And casting dust on their head they shall cry,
Weeping and wailing,
Alas, alas, that great city,
Wherein were made rich all that had ships at sea,
For in one hour is she brought to naught.
Rejoice over her thou heaven!
And ye holy apostles and prophets,
For God hath avenged you on her!"
A vast crowd collected around him in amazement, but scarcely had he
ceased when some soldiers appeared and led him away.
"Doubtless it is some poor Christian whose brain has been turned by
suffering," thought Marcellus. As the man was led away he still shouted
out his terrific denunciations, and a great crowd followed, yelling and
deriding. Soon the noise died away in the distance.
"There is no time to lose. I must go," said Marcellus; and he turned away.