Victor Serenus

“I am here in obedience to thy request?” said Marcius inquiringly.

The kindly face of the Seer lighted up with a beneficent smile, as he replied,—

“I give thee cordial welcome, and am persuaded that thy visit will not be in vain. I have knowledge of thy good works, and that thou hast delight in the upliftment and release of entangled souls.”

“I am in no wise minded how my strange visit hath any virtue in such an accomplishment!”

“Peradventure there be unseen prisoners struggling for freedom that thou knowest not of.”

“I shall rejoice in any opportunity for spiritual ministry,” said Marcius; “but if thou art pleased to communicate, may I first inquire concerning thyself and thy profession?”

“I am descended from the Magi of the far East. My father was one of the wise men who brought offerings to the Babe of Bethlehem, an observer of the stars, and skilled in magic. I have dwelt in many lands, sojourning for some time in Athens before coming here.”

“Of what avail is the mystery and seclusion which are wrapped about thy seership?”

“Behold the minds of this generation are descended from the spiritual altitude of the sages of the earlier world, therefore the mysteries of the Universe, and of mind and spirit, must be veiled and guarded from the sensuous vulgarity of the present age. How long, thinkest thou, should we be permitted to cultivate acquaintance with mysticism and spiritual science if our Art were made known to Nero? Behold if water is to mirror the heavens it must be still and deep, and wholly unruffled by the winds of Circumstance! Our wisdom would shrink to naught unless lifted beyond the murky atmosphere of the sense and selfishness of every-day life.”

“I perceive the truth of what thou speakest, and would know further of thy philosophy and aspiration.”

“Behold the Divine One is unveiled in many ways to the inner vision of men. Our distinctive reading of Him is through the pages of Nature. We find living oracular voices in the poetry and harmony of the Universe, and also in the underlying laws of the mind of man. To interpret Nature and Law is to interpret God. We must study the adumbration, locution, and the architecture of the whole creation. All is life, and life is LOVE. In the world of sense love is personal and narrow. In the higher spheres it reduces all things to itself, and becomes impersonal and all-inclusive. To penetrate the secrets of the Universal Mind and discover the invisible revolving wheels of Nature, one must ascend an unseen mount—ALONE. Only through such solitude can the soul uncover itself and come into full contact with the Eternal, and at length gain a complete mastery over the base idolatry of the common life.”

“I fain would know more particularly concerning thine own chosen field of research?”

“I may make known to thee that the Magi of the East are of three Orders, different, though related, for they are One. The triangle hath three sides. The first Order is given mainly to the study of and communion with Nature, or rather her motives and internal forces. The second is concerned with the assuagement and healing of the ills and disorders of the race, and the third seeks near acquaintance with the mysteries and manifestations of Spirit while abiding in incarnate forms, and also the invoking of those that have become excarnate. It includes a study of the laws, communications, and unfoldment of human minds and souls. My own researches and experiments are more specifically those of the third Order, to which I have the honor to belong.”

The thought of Marcius went back to Alethea.

“My own small experience hath convinced me, not only that spirits survive earthly dissolution, but that they sometimes appear in the seen form.”

The sage nodded assent, and observed,—

“It is true that those who are in the Beyond, under certain favorable circumstances not commonly understood, may briefly draw to themselves some of the finer elements of neighboring bodies, and even clothe themselves with them. This is no marvel! It is in accord with the spiritual laws of man’s constitution. When embodied, Mind commands its own organism. In lesser degree, after the seen hath been dropped, its inherent forces may lay hold of the subtle elements that are less closely related, and mould them for a temporary purpose.”

“Do those who cross the Styx find upon landing upon the farther side that they are much wiser, and at once rid of the errors of the fleshly experience?”

“Nay; the higher states come only by growth into harmony with the Universal Good, which is through patient and persistent aspiration. Most souls are inert until pushed forward by the pains of discordant environment. The same faults must be overcome, the same phantoms vanquished and selfishness put away, as in the seen. The wonted passions rage, even though without material expression. But thanks to friendly thought-ministration from intelligences more highly developed, both in the visible and invisible, progress soon begins, and will continue. The cords that hold spirits in prison must be weakened in every strand through retributive and purifying discipline until they finally give way, and then released souls can mount aloft into a larger freedom. To put on a heavenly consciousness at once would be a violation of all the laws of normal growth and universal method. Thought must wear new channels, whether with or without the cruder embodiment.”

“Is there a spiritual body?”

“There is a finer form, which is gently released when the grosser embodiment drops away, being no longer fit for occupancy. To the clear vision of a Hierophant there are even soul tints and colors which emanate from living forms, and index the quality of their thought. The delicate goodly hues of thine own inner nature have been plainly visible to me since thou entered yonder door.”

“Do the spiritual atmospheres of those upon the plane of the seen touch each other, and make themselves felt beyond the boundaries of the body?”

“Yea, like auras, meet and mingle harmoniously, while those which are discordant in color and vibration are mutually repellant. There is an all-pervading ethereal Substance which fills all space, and is also penetrative of all matter. It is the medium which connects individualized thought with the Universal Mind. As the trembling strings of a harp launch its music upon the undulations of the atmosphere, so the waves of thought are wafted through that Infinite Ocean in which we dwell to their desired Destination, or perchance forth into ever-increasing outward circles.”

“What is matter?”

“Matter is spirit in its crudest manifestation. It is the primary educational plane of soul, or, in other words, the moulding material for its elementary practice. Individuated soul builds it up into organic forms. We must not forget also that there are innumerable grades of individuated souls below the plane of the Human.”

“What wouldst thou interpret as the basic principle of all life?”

“Love, which when manifested in the lower forms of matter, we call attraction or gravitation, pervades the Universe, and is the mainspring of all life. As it rises in the scale of unfolding Being it becomes refined and spiritualized. All individuated consciousness must finally come into harmonic vibration with the Universal Spirit. Behold the Divine One hath made everything from HIMSELF! But the moments flee. Peradventure thou wouldst know more fully the definite purpose for which thy visit was desired?”

“I await thy convenience.”

“A disquieted Intelligence, for some time beyond the confines of visibility, craveth converse with thee. Peradventure thou mayest be able to accomplish much in giving release and bringing reconciliation.”

“I cannot divine who or what It may be!” replied Marcius with an expression of deep curiosity.

The Seer then arose, and inviting Marcius to follow, led the way into an adjoining room. There was no light save the rays of the full moon which came in brightly through two casements, the clouds having dispersed. The door was closed, and Marcius shown to a seat.

The room was octagonal in shape, and of moderate size, except in height, which was great in proportion to the other dimensions. Upon the vaulted ceiling far above there were dim points of light, which like stars seemed to have a luminosity of their own. High above their heads small Æolian harps hung in valves which were open to the gentle zephyrs without, and they were discoursing soft, sweet melody which seemed more like heavenly whisperings than earthly music.

Soon the Seer gave a signal, upon which a man clad in loose white robes entered and seated himself upon a dais between the two casements. There was sufficient light to show Marcius that the face was that of the messenger who had guided him to the castle. The harmony, beauty, and softness of the whole scene was so impressive that he awaited some demonstration with anxious expectancy. His thoughts turned once more back to Alethea, and his heart beat quickly at the memory of the vision long ago in the Tarsian adytum.

But see! A tremor passes over the frame of the figure upon the dais. His breast heaves, his muscles relax, his eyelids droop, and he seems like one entranced.

Anon a mist, at first so rare as to be barely discernible, formed in a gathering cloud just before the dais!

It gains in density, gradually solidifies, and finally assumes definite form!

“Leander!”

* * * * * * * * * *

Marcius marvelled!

The same wavy brown hair!—dark blue eyes!—fair complexion, with skin white, as if polished with baths and oil! His costume was that of an actor in dramatic representation.

Marcius was still more surprised when Leander assumed an oratorical attitude, and in his old-time impassioned manner began the recitation of Greek poetry. Then followed a scene from one of the tragedies of Sophocles. After closing, he waited a moment, as if expecting applause.

Marcius almost forgot the present in such a realistic dream of the past.

“Behold,” said the Master in a whisper, “the persistence of mental habit! Pressing though his business be with thee, this dramatic fragment must needs be projected from his surcharged soul before he can give his message!”

Leander now came forward and laid his hand upon the shoulder of Marcius. An intensely woeful expression was manifest.

“O Marcius! I have sent for thee! Behold I am disquieted! I fain would quench the hatred toward thee that was long ago kindled in my soul, but am not able! In spite of every effort it reasserts itself through habit! It is like a fire which when smothered in one place breaketh out anew of itself! I crave thy forgiveness, which, if thou dost grant it, may peradventure help to release me from this terrible thraldom!”

“Take courage, for it is freely granted! I give thee my love, and pronounce thy release!”

“I bless thy goodness, and thank thee that thou wast minded to follow the messenger to this place! But I have yet a great work to do! Behold the old thoughts rise up before me and will not be laid!”

Marcius gave him a kindly look, and replied,—

“Think of love, love, LOVE! for behold its presence in thy soul will at length displace all its opposites! That is the method by which thou mayest dissolve them into nothingness.”

“But, O Marcius! I have not yet told thee the worst! I tried to murder thee! With base gold I bought a potion that was to dull thy reason, destroy thy wisdom, and hasten thy mind and body to decay before the wonted time! Listen to my iniquity! With more gold, by my direction, Colurus was hired to administer the potion to thee! But, thanks to all the gods—none of which I have beheld since I left the body—thou art here and well! The potion took no effect, but, oh, the guilt is not the less! I am tormented beyond measure for having so rewarded the best friend I ever had! A fire rageth within my thought, and I have no rest! Horror and destruction, in living forms, follow and point at me!”

He groaned in spirit, and tears rolled down his face.

“In vain have I called unceasingly upon the gods for release! I love thee now! but the old hateful thoughts, like foul spirits, thrust themselves continually before me!”

“Calm thyself, Leander! All will yet be well! Love finally will conquer!”

“But, O Marcius! added to murderous thoughts of thee, my appetites of the flesh yet rage within my mind, even though I have no flesh to fulfil them!”

The Seer cast a benignant glance upon Leander, and said reassuringly,—

“Behold thou hast repented of all thy sins, and they are in process of being cast out. Beneficent laws have ordained that growth cometh through pain. Virtue is valuable because it costs much, and its sweetness cometh from intelligent contrast. As Marcius hath well said, only love can heal thy disquietude. But time is necessary, for there are no sudden leaps in soul. All things grow only from cultivation and desire.”

Leander paced the room with intense agitation, as if impelled by some evil spirit, but at length, by great effort, stopped before Marcius, and kneeled with bowed head.

“Bless thee once more for thy hearty forgiveness! My distress is a little lessened because I behold something of the light of the future which thou hast pointed out! Oh, how I bless thee for thy words—love—love—LOVE! Only love can give me peace! I will grasp it, cling to it, and think of nothing else! I will love both gods and men—everything!”

“Thy love shall wax, and the day will be hastened when thy chains shall be fully broken. My forgiveness and affection shall forever rest upon thee!”

A backward step, and anon his form became cloudy and indefinable. Then, slowly, like a summer evening’s cloud, it dissolved, and was seen no more.

CHAPTER XXXVII

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!”