TWO WOEFUL SOULS RELEASED
It was a little before mid‐day, and the forum and market‐place of Puteoli
were filled with a throng which represented a mingling of different races,
avocations, and professions. Some were in favorite places of resort,
passing the hours in _dolce far niente_, and even the busy ones moved
leisurely under the influence of the soft and luxurious atmosphere of
southern Italy. Life among all classes was spent mainly out‐of‐doors, or
in public places like the temples, baths, forum, or porticos. Simply to
exist in such a climate was a dreamy luxury. The passive enjoyment of the
present hour barred out any anxious future. If an earthquake caused some
trembling of the immediate environment to‐day, they were yet willing to
let to‐morrow take care for the things of itself.
Here and there was a sleek and luxurious Roman noble, a senator, or
perchance some member of the court of Nero, whose country home was on the
coast, jostled by merchants and seamen from every clime of the then known
world. The long toga of the magistrate or lawyer was brushed by the
picturesque costume of the peasant, the embroidered tunic of the pleasure‐
seeker, or perchance the rags of a beggar.
Here, as in the neighboring cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, Grecian art
had taken early root, and frescos, carvings, and other ornate decoration
covered every available space.
Near the heart of the business quarter on the side of a colonnade were the
stalls of the money‐changers, with their shining heaps in full view, which
were the fruit of exchanges of the coins of many nations, the corn, animal
products, and merchandise of which were landed here on the way to the
Eternal City. At intervals the statue of some one of the Cæsars, a
triumphal arch, a bronze or marble god or goddess, with frequent fountains
whose iridescent spray danced and sparkled in the sunlight, gave variety
and artistic beauty to the scene.
Petty traders displayed their varied wares, and artificers fashioned their
handiwork and deftly exercised their different crafts with a well‐ordered
professional skill. The easy‐going life of the great majority, to outward
appearance, seemed like a long‐drawn‐out poetic revery. Gayety and love of
pleasure and show glistened on the surface of the complex river of life
that flowed smoothly along.
The temple of Jupiter occupied one side of the forum, and a straggling and
variable procession passed in and out, who came to pay their devotions to
the chief god of the Roman state. In plain sight of the temple, fronting
on a narrow street which led from the forum, and on the same side, was a
plain, square building, somewhat resembling a Jewish synagogue. This was
the meeting‐place of a small congregation of the members of the New Faith,
which was composed of divers races, including a few Jews who had left
behind their national ceremonialism. The outgoing waves of the new
spiritual movement in the East had reached this distant shore, and,
chiefly through the influence of Marcius and Rebecca, had crystallized
into an organization.
Up to this time there had been no dangerous persecution, though much
prejudice and dishonor had been visited upon the disciples. They had been
contemptuously designated as “atheists,” “despisers of the fine arts,”
“maligners of the gods and the temple,” and by common reputation rated as
disloyal to the “divine Cæsar.”
The great fame of Saulus as an apostle, preacher, and healer had long
before preceded him, and soon the news of his arrival, as a prisoner on
his way to Rome, became noised abroad. Serenus also, though less known to
the common people, had much reputation.
On the day already noted, being the fifth after the landing of Saulus, a
noisy group, composed mainly of idlers who frequented the streets,
gathered near the meeting‐place of the disciples. In the midst of the
boisterous crowd, a man whose appearance indicated that he was of the
lower orders, seemed to be the principal subject of an animated
controversy.
“He is no other than the cripple!” said one.
“He is not the cripple, but is like him!” said another.
The man was straight, and had full command of his limbs, and began to
dance with a light step to show his agility. His name was Lausus, formerly
a sailor, but from the effect of a fall several years before had long been
a cripple. He had sold small trinkets about the streets until he became
familiarly known as “The Cripple.”
The dispute continued.
“He is the cripple and has been healed!”
“He is a hypocrite, and one of the fanatics who are traitors to Cæsar! I
declare to you that they are sorcerers, and worship a Nazarene Jew whom
they call Christus!”
“It is truly Lausus! let him speak for himself!”
There was a pause as he beckoned for silence.
“I am the lame man who for so long hath sold ornaments! Behold I am healed
of my trouble!”
“How wast thou restored?” asked one who seemed willing to learn the truth.
“Behold two members of the household of the New Faith, who are guests of
Marcius, the Roman, laid hands upon me, and my limbs are whole!”
“What are their names?”
“Saulus and Serenus.”
“What did they say to thee?”
“After laying their hands upon me, in the name of the God of the whole
earth, they declared my lameness healed!”
“He is Lausus, and his word is true, for I was a witness!” said another.
“I was healed of blindness!” cried a new voice.
“Another deceiver and fanatic!” growled a bystander.
“Two days ago I was able only to behold a little light when the sun shone
brightly, and now, God be thanked, I can see clearly!”
“What did they tell thee?”
“‘Thy faith hath given thee sight! Give God the praise!’”
“Did they not touch thine eyes?”
“Yea, they anointed them; but said that it was only an outward symbol, and
that it was my own faith that restored me!”
Still other voices in the crowd gave marvellous testimonies of wonderful
works.
The throng was divided. Some mocked, and cried out that it was only a
conspiracy to bring the New Faith into favor.
The tumult increased, and the crowd grew larger.
“Down with them! they are dreamers and beside themselves!”
“Nay, they speak the truth!”
“Their pretended healings are lies! I have heard that they are murderers
of new‐born babes!”
“It is a slander!”
“Down with the deceivers! drive them out!”
“Is it wrong to heal disease?”
“They show contempt to Jupiter and all the gods by paying homage to a
Jew!”
The controversy grew more bitter, and at length ended with the beating of
Lausus, and he was left almost helpless; but soon he was borne away by
some of the brethren. The aid of the twain who had ministered relief
before was again sought, and he speedily recovered from his bruises.
The tumult, the rumors of healing, their denial and affirmation, with the
violent aspersion of the doctrines and practices of the members of the New
Faith, caused a widespread dispute and division among the people of the
entire coast. The opposers of the new movement stoutly maintained that the
examples of healing were temporary and imaginary, and that those upon whom
the works had been wrought were self‐deceived, or that they never had been
afflicted with any veritable disorders.
The two visitors found themselves the subjects of a great controversy,
which grew to be so earnest that even the influence of Marcius hardly
could protect them from insult on one side, and homage and almost
deification on the other. Their fame spread so rapidly that calls came
from all directions; and when the day had ended they had ministered to
scores of sick folk, and brought restoration and health into outward
manifestation.
“Behold your works of mercy have stirred up much commotion among the
people of Puteoli!” said Marcius, as the household gathered at the close
of the day’s experiences.
“It is ever thus!” said Saulus. “The outward signs and fruits which follow
and attest the glow of the higher life are an inspiration to those who
believe and accept them, but a rock of offence and stumbling to the
faithless. The selfsame works, therefore, may bless or curse in due
measure, according to the manner in which they are received.”
Just then the conversation was interrupted by the coming of a messenger,
who besought Saulus and Serenus to visit a man who was violently possessed
of an evil spirit. They started immediately, and were led for some
distance through the darkness of the evening, finally halting before the
large and richly appointed country‐house of a Roman patrician. Entering
the spacious court, they were met by the wife and a few other friends of
the afflicted man, who was no other than the owner of the villa.
“We have heard of your wonderful works, but wot not by what power they are
wrought; and now behold the master of the house is grievously tormented,
and a rich reward will be given if you will restore him.”
The Roman matron added her importunate request.
“O sirs! he is a kind and upright man when the demon doth not possess him!
Can you cast out the foul spirit? Behold when it useth him he is exceeding
fierce, so that he must needs be bound with chains. Silver and gold in
abundance shall be yours if peradventure you can compass his release.”
“We come not for silver and gold!” said Serenus; “but in the name of the
Eternal Spirit of Goodness, to bring joy, peace, and salvation to this
house. Thy husband shall be restored.”
Two strong attendants led the way, a few steps in advance, to a massive
room in the basement, where the Roman was securely bound with chains. He
glared fiercely as they entered, and sprang forward to the full length of
his bonds to attack them. Serenus and Saulus followed immediately behind,
and so soon as his eyes rested upon them he relaxed and sank quietly into
a seat, trembling, and frothing at the mouth as if in a fit. He was a
large man, and clad in a thick leathern garb that he might not wound
himself. His manly features and noble forehead were distorted with rage,
his nostrils distended, and his eyes shot out fiery glances until they
softened and partly closed at the sight of the unwonted visitors. Soon he
sat upright, and was in a more quiet but still defiant mood, though he did
not try again to arise.
Saulus was the first to speak.
“Thou foul and wicked spirit! in the name of the same ever‐present Christ
that had full and visible manifestation through Jesus of Nazareth, I
command thee to come out of him!”
The man was shaken as if by a paroxysm, but after much effort opened his
lips.
“Through the mouth of this man I confess unto thee that I am both foul and
wicked, as thou hast said, and that I must needs obey thee!”
Serenus turned lovingly toward his companion.
“Brother Saulus, I pray thee, before sending him away to darkness and
despair, if thou wilt, let us hold brief converse with him. Behold is he
not bound and in torment, and doth not he also need release, even as this
Roman?”
“O Serenus, thou speakest with thy wonted wisdom! I thank thee, for I
thought only of the Roman! With all my long missionary experiences I may
still gain further knowledge and mercy from thee. I beseech thee, do what
seemeth good in thine own eyes.”
Serenus then came near, and calmly looked into the man’s face.
“Why dost thou torment this Roman who hath never done aught against thee?”
“Behold I am in a rage of misery which is the bitter fruit of my life
while in the flesh, and I have found a certain satisfaction in the control
and sensations of a material body of expression!”
“Why didst thou choose this man?”
“His weak personality lacked any positive moral and spiritual strength,
therefore he offered no resistance to my occupation.”
“Now thou speakest the words of soberness.”
“Thy presence hath calmed my anger, and, for the hour, restored my power
to reason understandingly.”
“Thou hast been an adversary to everything good or Godlike?”
“Yea; in my sight everything seemed to be against me, and I raged against
everything in return, and that kindled a hell within my soul.”
“Behold the Spirit of the Eternal Goodness is everywhere, and is All, but
so long as thou dost resist it, or any of its offspring, whether in the
fleshly garb or out of it, thou dost make torture for thyself!”
“It hath tormented me beyond measure!”
“Behold, as thou hast possessed this man’s organism, hatred, envy, and
malice likewise have possessed thee!”
“Thou dost perfectly discern the truth!”
“I now declare unto thee, that even as we, through the divinity that is
lodged within us, can deliver this man from the bondage of thy possession,
so, if thou wouldst, we may liberate thee from the prison of thy bondage!”
“Peradventure I might fall back and again be made captive!”
“Nay; there is one merciful Deliverer who hath all the keys for thy
release, and is always with thee! He will ever serve thee if thou dost
call upon him!”
“A strange doctrine! Who and where is he?”
“He is Love! and is here! Call his name, think his thoughts, and feel his
spirit, and thou mayest forever be free, or on the path toward freedom!”
Serenus then placed his hand upon the head of the Roman.
“Through the divine channel of my own Being, I pronounce freedom for thee
and for this man whom thou hast possessed!”
“I feel in myself a strange influx of new peace and harmony! Behold I
never knew these things before!”
“Now thou dost release forever this man of thine own free will, and also
seek thine own release in the way marked out?”
“With all my mind and strength! Oh, I bless thee that thou didst not send
me back to my former despair!”
“Go in peace! And to make thine own freedom more perfect and abundant,
labor for the release of those of thy brethren who are yet bound!”
“My saviour, I will! Behold I go!”
* * * * * * * * * *
The Roman aroused himself and glanced about him with strange surprise. As
he slowly arose there was a clanking of chains. He stared in wonder at
them, and then at his leathern raiment, and looking around awaited an
explanation. There was a momentary silence as he surveyed his strong
attendants, and then glanced into the faces of Serenus and Saulus.
“Where am I? and what has happened? Oh, what a terrible vision, but now I
have awakened! But I am not in my bed!”
“Be not disturbed!” said Serenus. “Behold we are all here for thy good.
Thou hast been set free from the evil spell of a disquieted spirit that
for a season hath possessed thy members.”
“Oh, my terrible vision! I beseech all the gods that I may never have
another!”
“Loose him!” said Serenus. “His bondage is ended!”
Serenus and Saulus then retired to the court of the house, while the
attendants remained to minister to his immediate necessities, and assist
him in clothing himself with his own raiment.
“Behold thy husband is healed!” said Serenus to the matron. “He will
appear before thee presently, clothed, and in his right mind.”
She bowed herself before the twain as if they were some strange gods in
human form.
“O sirs! I bless you for the great favor which you have bestowed upon this
house! Henceforth we will worship your God with all devotion! Tell me his
name, I pray thee!”
“He is the God of all the earth, the Father of all men and spirits,
whether in the flesh or out of it. In him we abide! His strength is ours,
and his breath is our life!”
Soon the Roman entered, calm and self‐controlled as he was wont long
aforetime, and clasping his wife in his embrace, they wept for joy.
“Behold these are thy saviours!” said the matron, pointing to the two
friends as soon as the first greetings were passed. “I declared unto them
that their God shall be our God!”
“Yea, give God all the glory! Behold we are but instruments through which
his power floweth!” said Serenus.
The sudden recovery of his own consciousness was so strange that the Roman
marvelled, and much explanation was necessary to make him understand the
past and what had been wrought within him. His gratitude was without
measure, and he pressed his new‐found friends to take a reward, which was
refused. After giving him a faithful but simple statement of the New
Faith, and promising that Marcius would come and instruct him more fully,
and be his friend after their departure from the coast, they returned to
the house of their host.
On the evening of the following day the whole household of Marcius was
again gathered upon the outer porch which overlooked the charming bay. The
loving circle of friends was to be broken the next morning. Perchance some
of them might never again view each other’s faces in the flesh. Saulus, in
the charge of Julius, the centurion, was to depart for Rome on his way to
trial, accompanied by his friends, Luke and Aristarchus. Serenus and
Amabel at the same time were to take ship for their home in Alexandria.
As they sat looking out upon the picturesque cliffs and islets near and
distant, which were softened by the purple of closing day, there was an
interval of deep silence, broken only by the rhythmical plash of the waves
below. All thoughts were centred upon the coming separation.
At length Marcius turned toward Saulus,—
“Would that it were some other Cæsar than Nero before whose tribunal thou
wert to appear! But we will hope all things, and believe in all good. Thou
art wise and fearless, and the favor of God will abide with thee!”
“Whatever may come to pass, I am persuaded that all things whatsoever will
work together for good!” replied Saulus. “We are ministers of the New
Faith, and look to that, and not to ourselves.”
“Yea, brother Saulus, the paths of duty and privilege are one and the
same,” said Serenus.
“Thinkest thou that the God of all the earth will always protect his own,
O Serenus?” said Rebecca.
“All divine laws that pertain to his children are beneficent; but if thou
hast in mind only bodily protection, it may not always be assured,
although everything worketh toward that end. But, as thou knowest well,
even if the body be destroyed it doth not harm the real man. While we
should strive to care well for our bodily manifestation, because it is
useful, its loss may be likened to the ruin of a house, with its owner
unharmed, and a more fitting habitation awaiting him.”
“As thy departure draweth near, I would fain make inquiry concerning a
matter of doctrine, that I may have a fuller understanding,” said Marcius.
“I have heard it said by some that the Messias is again to come in visible
form, and that the end of all things draweth nigh. What thinkest thou of
this?”
“Behold,” said Serenus, “the end of the world only signifieth the closing
of the old Dispensation, whether in the world or in each human soul. The
Messias is all the time making his advent invisibly in the souls of men,
and so far as his coming is perfected, it hath outward expression, though
not fully complete in them as it was in the Nazarene. But every man
already hath the unspoken Christ, who seeketh fuller and visible
articulation. The light is within, waiting for a refinement of the outer
nature in order that it may shine through.”
“There also appear to be certain differences of belief among our brethren,
concerning the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus!” said Marcius.
“While these are well in the literal and outward sense, their importance
is contained in the changes which they symbolize in the inner nature of
man. A belief of the head in the sacrifice of the Prophet of Nazareth
availeth naught; the Christ mind and life must be born in the soul.”
“How dost thou view the day of judgment?”
“Judgment is set up within man, and is continuous. The divine Image, or
Truth, is a tribunal in every one, and until the personal and outer life
cometh into full conformity, judgment is never ended. No outward legality,
sacrifice, or ceremony can satisfy, but only an inner conformity to the
Model.”
“What is the life beyond? and is there a spiritual body?”
“The spiritual body is already formed within the visible organism. Its
quality is made by the thoughts and intents of the heart. So far as these
are discordant with the pattern of the divine Image, there must still be
cleansing and purification in the beyond. Such a discipline to the old
man, or fleshly self, seems like a consuming fire, and brings severe
growing‐pains to the lower consciousness.”
“But, dear friends,” continued Serenus, “why address all these questions
concerning the deep things of the Spirit to me? Let Saulus speak of them,
and we will listen to him.”
“Friends,” said Saulus with warm earnestness, as he grasped the hand of
Serenus, “I have not the abundance of wisdom necessary to teach my brother
from whom I have learned from the beginning! To Serenus I am beholden for
all that I am and have! Long ago he saved my life in Jerusalem, when he
knew that I was his worst enemy. Not his correct doctrine only, but his
beautiful life, pricked me to the heart, and stirred my soul to its
depths, and at last kindled the flame of the New Faith within me. His
example was ever my inspiration; and the Spirit of Truth within, which to
me is the final authority, hath confirmed to me the substance of all his
teaching. Blessed be the day, when as his earnest but mistaken opponent in
the academy of Gamaliel, I first beheld his goodly face!”
The spontaneous and eloquent testimony of Saulus touched a tender chord in
every heart. Marcius was deeply affected, and pressed forward and took the
other hand of the beloved disciple.
“Dear Serenus! to thee I also am beholden for everything! I beg thee to
receive my testimony and blessing. Stained in my early years with the vice
and sensuality of the Tarsian metropolis, I was at length renewed by the
New Faith, which thou awakened within me. It not only transformed my life,
but brought to me the dearest and purest wife that ever fell to the lot of
man. I am minded that thou cravest no praise, but am deeply moved to speak
the simple truth!”
Then Rebecca, whose face shone with joy, essayed to speak.
Serenus beckoned for silence, but the current which had broken forth was
not to be stayed.
“The birth of the New Faith in my soul began with the converse I had with
thee after thou hadst saved my life on the day of the Temple panic! Thy
life, while I dwelt in the Holy City, and at Tarsus also, was my unfailing
example and inspiration!”
What was left for Amabel?
She stepped forward, and grasping her husband in a warm embrace, wept
great tears of joy. Words could not be found, but silence was more
eloquent.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Friends!” said Serenus calmly, “joy and love fill my heart to
overflowing. Your words stir the depths of my soul. But behold I have been
but an unconstrained fountain, through which hath poured forth a small
measure of the Ocean of Life and Love which hath pressed in upon my soul.”
_PART FOURTH_
SAULUS IN ROME