IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF THE NAZARENES.
"For what have we been called together at this time, knowest thou?"
asked a man of his neighbor in the crowd assembled before the synagogue
of the Nazarenes. "Seeing that this is not the prescribed day for
worship."
"'Tis that we may consider the matter of which the Grecians have been
murmuring of late," replied the other. "Their widows, say they, are
neglected in the daily ministrations."
"Not more than the widows of our own blood; the fault lieth with the
young men to whom of late the apostles have been forced to give a part
of the work. But see, the doors are opened."
The twain, together with the rest of the quiet and orderly multitude,
passed into the porch, where each person paused for an instant to dip
his hands into the brazen urn of water which stood without the door;
this constituting the ceremonial washing of hands required before
entering into the sacred enclosure.
The scene within did not differ materially from that which might have
been seen in any other of the four hundred and eighty synagogues of
Jerusalem. Against the wall opposite the entrance, beneath a canopy of
purple cloth, stood the wooden chest or ark, containing the scrolls of
the law. Above this ark burned the perpetual light, token of the visible
glory of the Lord as it was revealed in that first temple which their
forefathers had reared in the wilderness. This sacred light was a
three-fold symbol, for it also served to remind the worshipper of the
human soul, which is the breath of God; as it is written, "The spirit of
man is the candle of the Lord." And of the divine law--"For thy
commandment is a lamp; and thy law is light."
Here also facing the congregation was the desk from which the ruler of
the synagogue was wont to preside over the worship; and at one side,
elevated upon a raised platform, twelve wooden seats were provided for
the twelve apostles--the visible heads of the Church; it being the
custom in all synagogues to thus elevate above the common rank those who
were considered the most enlightened. In these, as in all other
respects, did the disciples walk orderly as after the law; being yet
minded, despite the warning of the Master, to put the strong new wine of
the Kingdom into the ancient bottles of Judaism.
On this day, after that the congregation had seated themselves in due
order--the men upon one side of the room, the women and children upon
the other, separated by a low wooden partition--the service was begun by
the chanting of the sacrificial psalms; after which the whole
congregation arose and repeated as with one voice the benediction called
"The Creator of Light."
"Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who createst
light and formest darkness; who makest peace and createst all things.
He in mercy causes the light to shine upon the earth and the inhabitants
thereof, and in goodness renews every day the work of creation. Blessed
art thou, the Creator of Light."
And also this--"the Great Love."
"With great love hast thou loved us, O Lord our God; thou hast shown us
great and abundant mercy, O our Father and King, for the sake of our
forefathers who trusted in thee! Thou who didst teach them the love of
life; have mercy upon us and teach us also to praise thee, O Lord, who
in love hast chosen thy people!"
Then did Matthias--who on this day had been chosen to lead the worship,
and who like the rest of the congregation wore the fringed garment
prescribed by law and the phylacteries upon his head and upon his left
arm--arise, and cry aloud in the words of the ancient prayer which was
called the Kadish; all the people joining heartily in the Amens.
"Exalted and hallowed be his great name in the world which he created
according to his will; let his kingdom come in your lifetime, and in the
lifetime of the whole house of Israel very speedily!"
"Amen!"
"Blessed be his great name, world without end."
"Amen!"
"Blessed and praised, celebrated and exalted, extolled and adorned,
magnified and worshipped, be thy holy name; blessed be he far above all
benedictions, hymns, thanks, praises, and consolations which have been
uttered in this world."
"Amen!"
"May the prayers and supplications of all Israel be graciously received
before their Father in heaven."
"Amen."
"May perfect peace descend from heaven, and life, upon us and all
Israel."
"Amen!"
"May he who makes peace in his heaven confer peace upon us and all
Israel."
"Amen!"
Then followed the eighteen benedictions, of which the first sentence
only was repeated in a loud voice by the leader, the rest being recited
by the congregation in unison. Save this prayer, which all repeated
aloud and with a joyous tone of full expectation; for they knew him to
whom they prayed. "To Jerusalem thy city in mercy return, and dwell in
it according to thy promise; make it speedily in our day an everlasting
building, and soon establish therein the throne of David. Blessed art
thou, O Lord, who buildest Jerusalem." And so to the end, closing with
the words, "Our Father, bless us all unitedly with the light of thy
countenance; for in the light of thy countenance didst thou give to us,
O Lord our God, the law of life, loving kindness, justice, blessing,
compassion, life, and peace. May it please thee to bless thy people
Israel at all times, and in every moment with peace. Blessed art thou, O
Lord, who blessest thy people Israel with peace!"
Then followed the reading from the scriptures. Afterward Peter arose in
his place and spoke to the people; he brought again to their remembrance
the words of their risen Lord, 'how that they should continue to dwell
together in all peace and love, forbearing one another and loving one
another in expectation of that great day, perhaps nigh at hand, when he
should return bringing his reward with him for them that had been
faithful in all things.' He spoke also of the matter which had been
troubling the minds of many during the days that were past.
"God knoweth, brethren," he said, "that we would not willingly neglect
any, who by the grace of our Lord have joined themselves with us; least
of all them who by reason of their affliction are dependent upon our
bounty. If any have been neglected it is because of the weakness of the
flesh. The work hath waxed too great for us; for besides this duty of
the daily distribution of bodily food to them that lack, there remaineth
also the duty whereunto we were set apart by the Master himself--of
preaching the good tidings of salvation from sin and from death unto all
men. 'It is not reason that we should set aside the work of God to
serve tables'--and it is manifest that we cannot longer do
both--'wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest
report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word.'"
And when he had finished speaking, Philip arose in his place.
"If I read aright your faces, my brothers," he said, looking around
about upon the multitude, "this good saying hath pleased you all. Let
us therefore choose, and that there may no longer be any thought of
jealousy betwixt Jew and Greek--which thing also must be displeasing
unto him, who according to his word, is at this time in our midst--let
it come to pass that of the seven which we shall choose, three shall be
Hebrews, three Greeks and one a proselyte. Then shall there be no
longer need nor excuse that any should murmur concerning this matter of
the dispensations."
And these sayings being approved of them which were assembled, one
Aristarchus arose and presented the name of Stephen for the honorable
office of deacon. "For he is," declared the speaker, "as is known unto
you all, a man full of faith and of the Spirit."
And all the people cried with one voice: "Worthy! He is worthy!"
Then did they in the same manner choose also Philip and Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas; and also, according to the word of Philip,
Nicolas of Antioch, who was a convert to the Jewish faith. And these
seven stood up before the apostles and before all the congregation of
the people; and when the apostles had prayed they laid their hands upon
them, in token that thus were they set apart unto the sacred duties of
their calling.