CHANGES OF SOUL‐COLOR
The links of circumstance are securely welded into the chain of
life so that none can be lost or missed. The effect of to‐day is
only transmuted into the cause of to‐morrow.
Marcius was deeply impressed by the face of Rebecca. There was an
indefinable peculiarity about her charming features which the flight of
years had not effaced. But when, where, or under what circumstances he had
seen her, he was utterly at a loss to conceive.
From the moment of her rescue from the mob, until with the help of Serenus
he delivered her to the care of Amabel, he seemed to be under a peculiar
abstraction. But mingled with an indefinable shock at a sense of some
mysterious recognition, there was a surprise, even under the untoward
circumstances, at her unwonted beauty and evident refinement. His peculiar
feelings were an enigma to himself. Why should one of a race so generally
disesteemed, even though comely, so move him?
The injuries which Rebecca had received at the hands of the mob proved to
be severe. After attending to immediate requirements for her relief,
Serenus proceeded to acquaint her parents concerning her. Remembering that
she had made known to him while in Jerusalem that she was the daughter of
Benoni, he hastened to find him.
As the father was one of the more prominent of the Hebrew citizens of
Tarsus, Serenus found it easy to ascertain his place of abode. Pursuing a
thoroughfare which led to the Orontes Gate, in the northwestern part of
the city, he soon approached the family domicile. Upon the outside all was
peaceful and serene. The broad terraces were dotted with clusters of
flowering plants and shrubs which filled the air with their fragrance. The
silvery Cydnus lay spread out in the near foreground, and winding paths,
with flights of steps, led directly down to the shore. The house, Hebraic
in design, was simply though rather richly embellished by symbolic emblems
peculiar to the Chosen People, and Serenus was impressed by the beauty and
taste everywhere evident.
The door was opened in response to his knock, and upon entering he found
great sorrow and confusion. Benoni and his wife had barely escaped from
the mob, and had reached home but a short time before bruised and
exhausted. But forgetting themselves, they were bitterly bewailing the
loss of Rebecca, supposing that she had perished in the street.
“Peace be unto this house! In the midst of your affliction I bring good
tidings!” said Serenus after his hasty but warm salutation. “I am a
Hebrew, lately arrived from the Holy City, and have much joy in making
known to you that your daughter hath been saved from the rabble.”
Benoni closely scanned the tall, graceful form and clear, handsome face of
Serenus, and they brought a terrible scene of the past vividly to his
memory.
“The God of Israel be praised! I shall never forget thee! Thou art again a
minister of mercy, and I thank thee for thy compassion.”
“Thou dost remember my face?”
“Did I not behold thee in the Temple‐court, when in the mad panic thou
didst lift Rebecca from my shoulders and bear her to a place of safety?
Did not mine eyes see thee from the house‐top in the line of captives on
thy way to prison, when Almon, mine host, made known to me that thou wert
he who saved Saulus from the thieves and brought him to the inn at
midnight? May thou be doubly blessed! But I am grieved on thy behalf! How
could Saulus count thee—as—his—enemy?”
“I beseech thee think no more of the things of the past. I have come to
inform thee that thy daughter Rebecca is at the palace of the Vice Legate,
tenderly cared for by my wife Amabel?”
“Thou dost gladden my heart! And hast thou assurance that she is not
sorely wounded?”
“Recovery will come in due season, but perchance for a few days it may be
prudent that she remain.”
Rebecca’s mother also poured out her thanks to Serenus, but being overcome
by faintness, was obliged to seek retirement.
Benoni was in a state of great perplexity. The events of the past in the
Holy City, and the unexpected riotous outbreak of the day, filled him with
questioning and disquietude, which were increased by the sudden appearance
of Serenus. Thrice the guardian angel of his family, could this man be
“the enemy of Saulus”? Moreover, was it possible that he was the betrayer
of the religion of his fathers?
While rejoicing over the escape of Rebecca, and feeling grateful for the
past and present kindness of Serenus, a current of the bitterness and
prejudice which possessed him at Jerusalem momentarily made itself felt.
Too weak also from the terrible experience of the day to visit Rebecca, he
was greatly troubled, and bowed his head in silence and tears.
After a little delay, Serenus uttered a few warm words of encouragement,
and started to take his leave, promising to come again on the morrow and
bring further tidings of Rebecca, and peradventure perform any other
service.
Then Benoni relented and aroused himself.
“Tarry for a little, I pray thee, that we may have further converse.”
Serenus again seated himself by his side, gently taking one of his hands
in his own, as if he would soothe his distresses.
“Behold our many trials work together for good! Thy daughter will be
restored, and thou made glad!”
The hardness of Benoni melted before the friendly warmth of Serenus.
“Thanks be to thee for thy words of comfort. Behold thou didst save both
Saulus and Rebecca from the hand of the destroyer; yea, twice thou hast
given back my daughter, and I love and honor thee!”
“Thou dost commend me overmuch! To Marcius, the Vice Legate, is due the
rescue of Rebecca from the hands of the rabble. He is a noble Roman, and
will have respect unto thee and thy house.”
“Is he thy friend?”
“Yea, verily!”
“And thou a Hebrew?”
“I was born a Hebrew!”
“I marvel at what thou sayest!”
“A Roman may have a warm heart!”
“I marvel again! but if so, I am persuaded that thou must have warmed it!”
“There is an affection, not born of race or position, and even the Vice
Legate of Tarsus hath begun to feel somewhat of its glow!”
“But doth not he worship the Tarsian gods?”
“Aforetime and formally, yea! but he is reaching out after a Higher,—the
God of all the earth!”
“But behold the God of Israel ruleth all the earth!”
“And all the peoples of the earth are his children!”
“And thou a Hebrew! I cannot understand what thou sayest. It is written
that Moses called the Lord a Man of War. Hath he not then enmity against
the Gentiles?”
“He hath enmity against no man!”
“Again thou speakest strange things! Thy spirit is wise and good and thy
heart full of charity, but thou lightly regardest the things that are
written.”
“Verily the springs of God are in the inner man! The things that are
written may be expedient and profitable in their day and generation, but
they are not yet fully perfected. Behold the written law is a schoolmaster
leading towards Truth!”
“Sayest thou that the revelation of God is not perfected in the law as
handed down to our fathers?”
“Nay! God is ever revealing himself in divers ways, and will never cease.”
Again Benoni bowed his head in bewilderment. At length, lifting his eyes
towards the face of Serenus, he inquired,—
“Canst thou forgive Saulus for his bitter persecution of thee and thy
friends?”
“I have forgiven him from the beginning!”
Benoni’s eyes filled with tears as he put his arms about the young man,
embracing him warmly. Serenus arose to depart.
“I will bring thee tidings from Rebecca on the morrow, and peradventure
thou mayest be able to visit her.”
The conflict of the ages—that which hath torn innumerable souls before and
since—the Spirit _versus_ the Letter—waxed strong in the mind of Benoni
for hours after Serenus had taken his departure.
Nothing less than some upheaval of marvellous force can change a strong
current of chronic dogmatic prejudice. It may be interrupted, but there is
a mighty tendency for the stream to return to its well‐worn channel.
The vague mystery of some dim recollection of the face of Rebecca
increased the interest which Marcius otherwise would have felt in her
welfare and improvement. Losing no time after their arrival, he despatched
a messenger to call his own physician, and also sent for two skilful
nurses who were to alternate in their attendance under the general
supervision of Amabel. Then he proceeded without delay to take all
possible means, in connection with the Legate and other Roman officials,
for the suppression of the tumult.
A cohort of soldiers was hastily ordered into service; but as the Hebrews
had all fled to their homes, except the small number that were killed or
wounded, and the rabble scattered, they found little to do. So many of the
leaders of the attack as could be identified were placed under arrest, and
the Hebrews assured of future liberty and protection. A proclamation also
was issued, over the imperial seal of Cæsar, commanding religious
toleration.
On the evening of the same day Marcius was alone in his private office
reviewing the events which had happened. Crowning the strange impressions
already noted was another, which was unwonted and distinct. Transcending
the romance of the rescue of the beautiful and mysterious Jewess, a
peculiar gladness welled up within him at the feeling of having succored
the weak and innocent in the hour of trial. It was the first purely moral
upheaval in the soul of Marcius of that unique satisfaction which grows
out of a beneficent act well done. Not that he took any credit for having
performed a simple manly duty, but rather felt a spontaneous and genuine
thankfulness that the circumstances had conferred a great privilege upon
him. As he looked back over a past so long ruled by selfishness and
passion, he was surprised at the revelation of the luxury of doing good,
even though it came in the line of official obligation. He almost felt a
reverence for the simple Hebrew maiden, who had been the instrument of
revealing the loftiest consciousness within him that he had ever
experienced. A hitherto unknown beneficent impulse had been awakened
within him that would never again go back to latency. It included ministry
to the weak, protection to the innocent, and help to the helpless,
whenever opportunity might offer. Though to the world, or even the average
man of affairs, the incident would seem trivial, yet a door, before
unknown, had been opened, and Marcius, the Roman, had added a cubit to his
spiritual stature.
After Rebecca was borne into the palace, she remained a full hour in a
state of unconsciousness. Willing hands and loving hearts exercised
themselves in every form of helpful devotion. No bones were broken, but
the terrible shock, with the severe bruises received while under the feet
of the mob, made her condition of serious import.
Upon opening her eyes, she was bewildered on account of the strange
surroundings. But the bright cheerful face of Amabel, who was holding her
hand and stroking her forehead, reassured her.
“Where am I? and what has happened?”
“Thou art surrounded by warm friends, and peace and joy belong to thee. Be
not disquieted, for all is well!”
“I have had a terrible dream—nay, it must be more than a dream, for I am
in a strange place, and cannot move!”
“Thou art in the palace of the Vice Legate of Tarsus! He snatched thee
from the hand of the cruel horde, and brought thee here and placed thee in
my charge. Our love, care, and healing influence will restore thee!”
“Thy kindly young face seemeth familiar! Wilt thou be pleased to tell me
concerning thyself?”
“I am Amabel, the daughter of Rabban Gamaliel of Jerusalem, and wife of
Serenus!”
“My love and thanks go out to thee for thy goodly service.”
She was then made acquainted with the escape of her father and mother; but
soon a confused mingling of past scenes, with faintness from the terrible
shock of the afternoon, overcame her, and she sank into a deep slumber.
After two or three hours she awoke visibly improved. Though very weak, she
now clearly recalled all the events of the day, excepting those during the
period of her unconsciousness. As she looked up, both Serenus and Amabel
were seated by her side. The face of the former at once brought before her
the well‐remembered scenes of the Holy City. The panic of the Feast of
Weeks, their subsequent conversation, the procession of prisoners, and
other events of the persecution, were all vividly recalled. Yet this was
“the friend of Saulus.” Then she thought of the previous day, when Serenus
and Amabel coming from the Nereid were driven through the streets in the
company of that Roman whose dark face was so deeply engraven upon her
memory.
“There is much that seemeth mysterious to me!” she exclaimed; and then
turning towards Serenus said,—
“Of a verity thou wert the preserver both of Saulus and myself in the Holy
City, and now, behold thou hast appeared in Tarsus and saved me from the
fury of the mob! But I cannot understand”—
“Of a truth it was not I, but Marcius, the Vice Legate, who delivered thee
from danger and brought thee to this place of refuge. Perchance I rendered
some service, but to him thy thanks are due for thine escape.”
Rebecca again closed her eyes for a few moments, but her memory was busy.
Marvel of Marvels!
Noticing her confusion, Serenus quietly observed,—
“Thou wilt know all in due time, but pray let slumber gently seal thine
eyelids until the morrow. We will aid thee to realize the Present Help,
and through a spiritual strength which shall be thine, thou shalt feel new
life with the rising of the sun!”
Silence then prevailed, and she sank into a sweet, restful slumber.
“O Light of my Life!” said Amabel in a low tone, “I am filled with the
remembrance of thy gracious ministry when I passed down to the border of
the tomb in my father’s house. All that then seemed so adverse was but the
pathway through which I was led into the Truth! And now, touching this
trial, peradventure it will be the means of bringing great light and peace
into the soul of Rebecca.”
“Yea, verily, Love of my Heart! Good springeth forth from evil! And now
let us be silent channels whereby the presence of the Universal Good shall
become manifest in her.”
Profound stillness then prevailed.
The place seemed hallowed.
As the dim evening light shone softly upon the closed eyes and fair cheeks
of Rebecca, a sweet smile wreathed her lips. Perchance she was dreaming of
peace, love, and an overcoming faith.
The two young disciples of the New Faith sat near her as the moments
passed silently by.
A Voice spoke through them, but not in words. “Child of God! Thou art a
spark of Immortal Flame! an image of the Universal Spirit! It is thine to
govern and harmonize the outward form. Thou hast new life already! God is
Spirit, and his dwelling‐place is with his offspring. He is thy Life,
Love, and Strength, through the understanding of the laws of thy being.
Behold the very breath of God is within thee! His strength is freely thine
own!”
* * * * * * * * * *
Serenus retired from the room.
The next morning found a very marked improvement in the condition of
Rebecca. She was surprised at the unwonted joy and gladness which like a
fountain spontaneously sprung up within her. There was also a great
recovery in her bodily condition.
Opening her eyes, with a calm cheerfulness she warmly greeted Amabel, who
was already by her side,—
“The morning light hath brought me peace, dear Amabel! I feel such an
assurance of strength and happiness that it seemeth a mystery.”
“Peradventure thou hast some inner kindling of the New Faith!”
“Tell me of it; for even the bodily presence of you—its disciples—bringeth
a peculiar benediction!”
“We are but its instruments of spiritual ministration!”
“Cometh it down from the God of the Hebrews in answer to your petitions?”
“Behold the presence of God filleth all things, both great and small, and
his loving favor hath no constraint of tribe or nation! We need not beg,
for no willingness is lacking with him. To open our souls to the abundance
which is already provided, comprehendeth the Spirit of the New Faith!”
“Peradventure I felt some faint beginnings of its presence within me while
I was yet in the Holy City, but Serenus and thyself have it in living
fulness!”
“Behold the power and love which inspire may come through silent
communication from another soul! The Spirit speaketh through one to
another to the inner ear.”
“How mysterious, and yet how beautiful!”
“When the Image of God within is discovered, in due time it maketh its
fruits manifest in the outer and seen.”
“Hath Marcius, the Vice Legate, accepted the New Faith?”
“He hath not yet fully avowed it, but is possessed of a growing desire to
know the Truth. Though a Roman, the dawn of a higher consciousness already
hath shone into his soul, and perchance the good seed which Serenus hath
sown will spring forth into a full harvest.”
“It appeareth that you are his friends and guests. I rejoice that it hath
so come to pass, but it seemeth strange!”
Amabel then briefly related the whole story of the shipwreck, and of the
friendliness and growing interest of Marcius in their teaching.
After listening to the narrative, Rebecca closed her eyes, while Memory
held its graphic pictures before her.
Back, back to the evening on the Cydnus—the storm—the scene in the
palace—the boyish, brotherly devotion of Saulus, and the outcome of
complete salvation.
Then she quickly roamed over the succeeding years,—the change in
Saulus—his terrible persecutions—her life in the Holy City—and on, on,
down to the events of the past two days.
Verily, life was a mysterious labyrinth!
She was _again_ in a palace of Marcius!
But Marcius was another Marcius; the same only in name; the friend of her
friends, and the doer of good deeds. Nay, more. He was her deliverer from
death, and his house her place of refuge.
No! he could never recognize her!
She resolved to lock up the secret of the first Marcius!
He was forgiven, forgotten—blotted out!