Serenus

“ 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. ”

“ Yet in these gloomy regions is to be found the tenderness, the generosity, the philanthropy of Serenus, who might have lived in competence and ease, if he could have looked without emotion on the miseries of another. Serenus was one of those exalted minds, whom knowledge and sagacity could not make suspicious; who poured out his soul in boundless intimacy, and thought community of possessions the law of friendship. The friend of Serenus was arrested for debt, and after many endeavours to soften his creditor, sent his wife to solicit that assistance which never was refused. ”

“ The repast was concluded, and the guests separated.
“What an evening of gladness!” said Amabel. “Art thou not pleased, dear Rebecca, that we were bidden?”
“I have had unwonted joy and profit in the friendly converse and warm hospitality. What a noble Roman is Marcius! his whole heart seems filled with the New Faith!”
“Yea,” said Serenus. “The seed of the Word hath sprung up quickly within him because he was in readiness. Men everywhere hunger for the simple bread of life, but how often stones are set before them!” ”

“ The harmony and sublimity of the scene were borne in upon his soul, and gave him a sense of profound serenity. The air was soft and balmy, and the full-orbed moon was lifting herself above the horizon in queenly majesty, lighting up the expanse of waters with a sheen of wavy silver.
The arrival of Saulus, and yet more that of Serenus and Amabel, brought before the mind of Marcius a flood of former associations and emotions interwoven with his life upon the banks of the Cydnus. His inner experiences of the earlier time passed before him in a procession like the unrolling of a scenic panorama. ”

“ 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.” ”

“ The worship of Jupiter, Hercules, and all the gods of Rome and Tarsus hath not given me full satisfaction, and their former purity hath become degenerated. But I would have none of the Hebrew austerity and stiff ceremonialism. I have beheld their gall-and-wormwood faces in Tarsus, and their sackcloth and ashes, self-conceit and ugly circumcision, disgust me. But thou art no Hebrew! If thou wert born to them, thou art not of them, for thou beholdest good in all men.”
“I perceive that of a verity thou dost desire the truth,” replied Serenus. ”

“ In the first raptures of escape all was joy, gratitude, and confidence: the friend of Serenus displayed his prospects, and counted over the sums of which he should infallibly be master before the day of payment. Serenus in a short time began to find his danger, but could not prevail with himself to repent of beneficence; and therefore suffered himself still to be amused with projects which he durst not consider, for fear of finding them impracticable. ”

“ Behold the wall which separated us hath crumbled. We knew not how it were possible, but it hath come to pass. Once more I tell thee that thou art dearer to me than my life. Dost thy heart respond? and wilt thou be mine?”
“O Serenus! I am persuaded of thy pure love, and am thine own. Life with thee will be an abounding spring [pg 194] of gladness. I will share thy lot, even though persecution surround me. Behold my spirit knoweth no more a shadow.”
“The ever-abiding Father’s love encloseth and sanctifieth the human affection of our hearts. Amabel! I will be faithful to thee even unto death!” ”

“ 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.” ”

“ But I realized for thee, that he, being perfect Goodness, hath already answered every desire for help. All change and conformity must be within ourselves. They who are unbelieving, ignorantly pray for that which is around them as free as the air of heaven. The Father’s table is loaded for his children, while they turn their backs upon it, and beseech him for bread.”
“But, O Serenus! while I feel new life, I cannot understand how it can come unless it be sent.”
“God is Spirit, and his tabernacle is not far away, but within his children. ”

“ Divine Love at first can be interpreted only through its personified sample, which kindles the beginning of a flame in the human soul.
Serenus lingered long enough to make the world over for himself through the choice of an ideal standpoint. He had learned the secret of spiritual alchemy, so that the Universal was mirrored within him. His spirit enlarged to make room for a mighty influx of love, peace, and power which were borne in upon him. With soul calmed and filled with spiritual might he arose, and with light heart and elastic step started toward his destination. ”

“ Their surprise could hardly have been greater had he dropped from the skies.
“O children of the New Faith!” exclaimed the mother; “God is good! All is good! Even out of seeming evil springeth good! The law of the Lord is perfect!”
“What a day of fulfilment!” said Serenus. “Prison doors are opened through the power of the Truth. Bonds are stricken off, not by an interposition which suspends divine law, but through its perfect and orderly working.”
“Yea,” said Amabel; “the loving thought which thou hast held towards Saulus, even though unknown by him, hath borne its fruit.” ”

“ 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.” ”

“ Serenus was silent for a moment, and Vivian continued,—
“I must leave thee straightway, until once more I make inquiry concerning the water in the hold! But soon I will return.”
He left Serenus clinging to one of the smaller masts, and slowly made his way to the speaking-tube to get another report. In response to his signal, hollow tones full of direful prophecy came up,—
“Three cubita full!”
The pumps were doing their utmost, and the master fully realized that the contest was hopeless. But he was brave.
Heroes are not the exclusive product of any one time, race, or religion. ”

“ Vivian gave his unqualified assent to the question of Marcius, and added,—
“O my lord! my good friend Serenus hath much wisdom concerning the philosophy of life, present and future, and hath taught me to my great profit.”
Marcius cast an inquiring but rather incredulous look upon the young Hebrew, and observed,—
“I am glad that thou art a philosopher! I have many questionings which disquiet me. Peradventure we may reason together with profit. Pardon my inquiry, art thou a Greek?” ”

“ I am mindful of all thou sayest; but I have promised to be the wife of Serenus, and nothing but death can separate us. His religion is my religion, and his God my God. There is no other young man among the Chosen People that is worthy to be compared with him in honor and virtue.”
“Even though he hath a goodly spirit in himself, he hath cast in his lot among the despised and deluded followers of the false prophet, and will peradventure share their fate. Persecution, scourging, imprisonment, and perhaps stoning, await this fanatical sect ”

“ The state chariot which conveyed the little party from the Nereid circled through the spacious grounds which surrounded the palace of Marcius, and all alighted at one of the private portals. Serenus and Amabel were conducted into one of the open courts, where they remained until suitable apartments were made ready. A small fountain was playing in the centre, surrounded by flowering plants and beautiful statues. ”

“ In worlds whose course is equable and pure;
No fears to beat away, no strife to heal,
The past unsighed for, and the future sure.” As the morning mists were being dissipated, and the Temple roof gilded by the first rays of the rising sun, Serenus and Amabel, well mounted on small but hardy steeds, passed out through the gate leading toward the seaport of Cæsarea. The mother was to follow in a few days in the company of a convenient caravan. ”

“ 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 inner or spiritual self is the veritable man, and he waiteth for the comprehension of the divine sonship.”
“I perceive that the sensuous or flesh-man is not truly man at all,” said Marcius. “How all the so-called philosophies of the world have erred! Doth it not seem marvellous that I, a Roman, have so soon become convinced of the truth and beauty of the New Faith? At times I feel doubtful of my identity, and wonder if I am myself!”
“Thou wert not changed by the logic and reasoning of the intellect,” said Serenus, “for a religious belief from without is slow and uncertain in its operation. ”

“ But verily the spirit of his advent hath been commonly darkened, not only by his enemies, but by many of his avowed followers.”
“How long, thinkest thou, O Serenus, will evil prevail on the earth?”
“Behold no evil ruleth the earth, for that which so appeareth is but the early, imperfect, and unripened Good. Only the eye of the impure can behold the impure. God is too pure to behold iniquity, for all things are working out, in due time, the universal Perfection. ”

“ He is not great enough to regard any but themselves! With all their sincerity, they worship a false god. But the gods of the Greeks and Romans are also false. They have the same passions, weaknesses, and changeableness that belong to men; they are but magnified images of their worshippers!”
Marcius was so struck by the truth of the statement that he uttered no protest, and Serenus continued,—
[pg 320] “The one true God is supreme over all. Through his perfect economy he ordereth all nations and tribes, yea, and everything seen and unseen. He loveth all, for he is Love. ”

“ I could tell thee much concerning certain things that happened there during my sojourn.”
Serenus interposed,—
“I beseech you, my friends, bestow no undue praise; for if any good cometh through my hand, it is not I, but the Spirit of Truth which worketh through me.”
Amabel turned her eyes lovingly upon her husband, and said,—
[pg 386] “Behold I have learned that when the Spirit of Truth taketh possession of a soul it becometh one with him, so that they are no longer twain! The New Faith, which is the awakening of the Spirit already within, cometh into manifestation in the deeds performed.” ”

“ Through the faithful devotion and teaching of Serenus and Amabel, both the Vice Legate and our father and mother have become disciples of the New Faith. I am persuaded that thy heart will leap for joy when these tidings meet thine eyes! An iniquitous outbreak of persecution in Tarsus, which seemed only evil, was blessed in the ripening of this good harvest.
“On the day of a great festival in the temple and gardens of Apollo, when the throng was great in the streets, our people were cruelly set upon as they came from the services of the synagogue. ”

“ But they know not the power of God, and how it is given to his children to wield it if they will. As we open our souls, and confidently take hold of the Present Help, strength is ours. Be filled with the spirit of the Father, for he is thy dwelling-place.”
“O glorious tidings! I feel thrilled in soul and body!”
“Thou hast new life already! Hail with joy the Universal Good, and feel and affirm its presence now!”
A tiny flame had been lighted in the darkness which surrounds the tomb. May it increase! As Serenus took his leave, Amabel showed unwonted calmness and brightness. ”

“ Marcius is a noble Roman whose heart is warmed by the New Faith, and his kindness to Serenus and Amabel, and even to me, hath been continuous. The members of the household of the higher life in Tarsus are increasing in number, and all have much gladness in the freedom of the Truth. Our gatherings for mutual converse, encouragement, and communion with the Spirit are often held at the house of our father Benoni, and the Vice Legate hath been here with the others. ”