SERENUS MAKES AN AVOWAL
Truth, though often hidden, will never cease its gentle pressure
until it finds its attuned instruments, and lips inspired to its
articulation.
Late in the afternoon of a warm day in early autumn, the softened glow of
the descending sun fell into the spacious court of one of the notable
palaces of the Holy City. In the centre, the spray from a small fountain
curved gracefully into a quadrangular marble basin; and ranged immediately
around it were pots, partly hidden by moist mosses, which contained
lilies, anemonies, irises of iridescent hue, violets, and jasmine, all
freshened by the neighboring dampness. The surrounding pavement was of
graceful mosaic design; and the prevailing air of coolness, cleanliness,
and repose was in marked contrast with the dry, brassy atmosphere outside.
Porches, supported by slim, lightly carved columns, extended entirely
around both stories of the court; and these, in certain parts where the
sun’s rays might penetrate, were shaded by hanging portières woven of fine
goat’s hair in striped design. At either end, a stairway of marble steps
led to the upper terrace, and still another flight to a valve which opened
upon the roof. On one side was a broad portal which led into a great
library, where shelves and drawers were filled with thousands of rolls of
manuscripts and inscribed parchments, each neatly tied, labelled, and
classified. The place seemed fragrant with all the subtile richness of
Hebrew law, prophecy, and poetry, which had been stored up from the
accumulated wisdom of a long line of ancient seers, sages, and poets. All
the carvings, friezes, and appurtenances of the court were also
symbolically eloquent with the lore of Israel.
The tinkling of the fountain sounded pleasantly to the ears of two persons
that were comfortably seated near it, who had sought the spacious openness
of the court in preference to the library. An earnest conversation was in
progress. The palace was that of Gamaliel; and the elder of the two, a
tall, dignified man, with silvered hair and long, flowing beard, was the
noted Rabban himself. Beneath the folds of his turban of snowy whiteness
shone out his brilliant but kindly eyes; and his mien, while dignified,
was warm and gracious. The other was Serenus, and it was evident that the
two were upon terms of free and friendly familiarity.
“Reverend and worthy master! I count myself happy to have this opportunity
to open my heart to thee. Things have made themselves manifest to me which
greatly concern our race and religion, and, peradventure, the Gentiles
also. Dost thou not, noble teacher, discern in certain signs of the times
the fulfilment of prophecy and a new dispensation of righteousness?”
The Rabban turned his face toward his young disciple with an expression of
curious but friendly interest.
“My son! Many strange and notable things have come to pass in this
generation, and it behooveth us to interpret them in a wise and prudent
manner. I wot not what thou hast in mind, but have pleasure in thy
presence, and desire that thou shouldst acquaint me fully with that which
is in thine heart.”
“Before speaking of certain matters of our religion,” said Serenus, “I
would inquire if it be known unto thee that Saulus is again in the Holy
City.”
“Dost thou make reference to the young Hebrew from Tarsus, of such fiery
zeal, who was aforetime my disciple?”
“It is no other than he! Several passovers have passed since he went back
to his native city to learn a trade, after the manner of our custom, and
he hath abated none of the vehemence of his former life.”
“It now cometh to my remembrance how he and a band of his comrades set
upon thee in the Lyceum, for which he was taken to the Tower by a
centurion, and at thy intercession I persuaded his release. Knowest thou,
hath he still the same mind?”
The events of a few years past coursed in quick succession through the
memory of the young Hellenist, but he was not stirred by them.
“Nay! It hath come to pass that his persecution is now turned toward the
followers of the prophet of Nazareth. It is noised abroad that straightway
upon his return to Jerusalem, and since, he hath ceased not night or day
to vex them sorely. He hath almost persuaded the Sanhedrin to give him
authority to destroy them.”
“Hath he, then, forgotten his enmity toward thee, my young disciple?”
“I wot not fully, but am so persuaded. His exceeding wrath against the new
sect of the Nazarene, peradventure, hath swallowed up his former enmity;
and who knoweth, also, but it hath come to his ears that thou hast since
made me thine helper, wherefore he might be more prudent.”
“He that waxeth wroth worketh out his own destruction,” uttered the Rabban
in a rather reserved and oracular manner. “But what of the request of
thine heart, which thou desirest to make known unto me?”
Serenus paused for a moment before making answer, for something seemed to
stir him from the depths of his soul. He looked gravely but tenderly into
the face of his master. He felt that a great crisis in his own life had
come, which could not longer be put off. The accumulated forces of years,
long pent up, had gradually gathered momentum until they must find
utterance.
“Most worthy master! What thinkest _thou_ of the prophet of Nazareth who
was crucified?”
The wise and venerable Gamaliel was astounded at the gravity and
earnestness of his favorite assistant in making an inquiry which seemed of
such trivial importance. He toyed with the long fringe of his robe for a
moment, and cast an inquiring glance into the face of Serenus as if to
divine his meaning. It hardly occurred to him that his most eminent
follower, aforetime promoted to be his assistant, could have any sympathy,
or even remote interest, in the feeble faction of the Galilean; but the
question demanded an answer.
“My young disciple! Thy question is of small concern to me, neither doth
it matter to thee. Thou shouldst be aware that while I counted the
Nazarene to be a deceiver, I would that he had not been evil entreated and
put to death. Peradventure he was self‐deceived; but however that may be,
had he been let alone, his works would have come to an end, and his
followers become scattered. But what have we to do with him? It is all of
the past and concerneth us not.”
“I give honor unto thy wisdom, O learned master! but I am persuaded that
the Nazarene was a righteous man and a great prophet; yea, such as the
world hath not known. Thou knowest that I was born a Jew, and have respect
unto the fulfilling of the law; but the doctrines of the Pharisees have
become vain, and I can no longer bear their burden. The commandment of God
hath given place to the traditions of men. The faith of our father
Abraham, the testimonies of Moses, and the words of the holy prophets,
have become of none effect; for this generation hath given itself over to
washings of cups and pots and brazen vessels, to fastings and ceremonial
oblations. Behold, the letter of the law hath altogether brought its life
to destruction!”
“But, O Serenus! how doth these things concern the doctrine of the
Nazarene? I am somewhat like‐minded with thee concerning the traditions of
this generation. The dead observances of the extreme sect of the Pharisees
have become an occasion of vanity, and a stumbling‐block, and must needs
be purified. Let us set about to reprove these things, and teach a
restitution of the Law as handed down to Moses. But I beseech thee! go not
after this new sect of strange faith, for its teaching will surely come to
naught.”
“I owe thee respect, O worthy Gamaliel! but am fully persuaded in this
matter, and now declare unto thee that from this day henceforth I wash my
hands of the traditions of the elders! It hath come more and more to me
that our holy religion is corrupted and wormeaten, and that it altogether
concerneth itself with polishing the outside of the platter. It is a
valley of dry bones, like that spoken of by Ezekiel the prophet, and only
an anointing of the Spirit, which hath been so perfectly manifested
through Jesus of Nazareth, can awaken them to life, and clothe them with
flesh.”
“I marvel and am sorrowful, O my young disciple! that thou hast been led
away by this new heresy. I know thee to be upright in spirit; but, if thou
art persuaded in this way, behold, thou wilt cut thyself off from thy
people, and from thy place of honor in the school of the prophets. The
Nazarene, of whom thou speakest, was reputed to be an unlearned man, the
son of a carpenter! If he had knowledge, whence came it? If I have learned
rightly, he even vaunted himself as the Lord’s anointed, the fulfiller of
prophecy, and the deliverer of Israel! What empty boasting! He, a Galilean
of no reputation, whose followers were only ignorant fishermen and
publicans! _he_ to deliver Israel from her oppressors! _he_ to build up
the waste places of Jerusalem, and establish her dominion forever! Seest
thou not, O Serenus! that this is altogether vanity? If he were to have
been the Restorer of our people, thinkest thou that he would have suffered
himself to be persecuted, condemned, and crucified? I say unto thee nay!”
The young man looked searchingly into the face of the Rabban, but with
unwonted calmness.
“I beseech thee to listen to me yet farther, O teacher of Israel! for I am
fully persuaded that the word of the Lord hath quickened my heart. Our
fathers and this generation have greatly erred, touching the Messias, in
what hath been spoken by the ancient prophets. I call thee to witness!
What saith Isaiah, the son of Amoz, than whom there hath not been a
greater? Doth he not prophesy of humility, and reproach, and travail, and
persecution? Nay! Saith he not that his righteous servant shall pour out
his soul unto death? Hath it not now come to pass that he was despised and
rejected of men, and that his report hath not been believed? Did not
Daniel, of the royal family of Judah, prophesy of the stone which was cut
out of the mountain without hands, which brake in pieces the mighty image
whose brightness was excellent? Behold this when interpreted! Doth it not
signify that the kingdoms of this world are to fall, and the eternal
kingdom of righteousness be set up in their place, which shall grow and
fill the whole earth?”
An expression of astonishment and restlessness swept over the features of
the venerable Rabban. Could the young disciple teach the famous head of
the school of Hillel?
“Thou hast waxed zealous, young man, in the defence of thy strange
doctrines! I pray thee, who hath persuaded thee of these things, and that
the Book of Prophecies hath aught concerning the Nazarene?”
“I have it not upon the authority of any man, but the Spirit within
witnesseth with my spirit that these things are true. The kingdom of which
the Nazarene hath laid the corner‐stone is a dominion which is to increase
and wax great, and pertaineth not only to the Jews, but to all peoples.
All are children of God, but no one save him hath yet perfected the fruit
whose seed lieth within. His law is more complete than that of Moses; for
he hath summed it up as love to God and all men, with the whole heart.
Herein behold, as in a glass, all the law and the prophets! Moreover, he
wrought many signs and wonders, and miracles of healing, such being a
witness of his full possession by the Father, which is the Spirit of
Truth. But he declared that all things that he made manifest are possible
to his faithful followers, and even that greater works may yet be shown
forth.”
“Serenus! I marvel at the unwonted things thou believest! I bewail that
thou art deceived! From whence hast thou these tidings of him?”
“I have had converse with some of his worthy but despised disciples, and
know whereof I speak. Moreover, their works testify concerning them, and
show forth the power of God working in and through man.”
“Thou hast indeed become altogether unmindful that the salvation of the
God of Israel cometh only through the Covenant with the Chosen People. But
what sayest thou? It hath come to my ears that the disciples of the
Nazarene still walk in the ordinances, except, peradventure, one young
zealot, named Stephanos, who disputeth in the synagogues, and stirreth up
some contention. But be thou warned! Thy Galilean prophet proclaimed
himself as Messias, and the deliverer of Israel! What sayest thou? Is not
this blasphemy?”
“Nay. He claimeth not sole possession of sonship, but declared that the
anointing is for all sons of God; but it appeareth that he only hath yet
emptied himself of all else, and manifested the spiritual image in
fulness.”
“O Serenus! thou hast been deceived by false witnesses, and therefore
makest the doctrine of Jehovah common and unclean! Hast thou forgotten
that the Gentiles and they that worship other gods are the enemies of the
Most High?”
The calm dignity of Serenus was unmoved, and his face almost shone with an
inner light which seemed to fill him.
“The God of all the earth hath no enemies, whether Jew or Gentile. He
cannot know enmity; for it is not, save in the hearts of such as separate
themselves from him. They dwell in the darkness which they only have made
by their own vain and base imaginings.”
“It grieveth me, O my young disciple! to know that thou hast become
faithless to the religion of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Thou art
altogether mistaken in the anointed one of Israel. When Messias cometh he
will be King, Priest, and Prophet. First of all, he will deliver his
people from their enemies, and set up a throne, and then reign
righteously. The Gentiles will have no part in this dominion. They serve
false gods; and the Most High will destroy them, root and branch. Then
shall the seed of Abraham inherit the earth! Thou art pure in spirit, but
no longer a son of Israel. Thy connection with the school of Hebrew
prophets, after the order of Hillel, is ended.”