Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-11-07
A ROMANCE OF THE PULPIT.

" poOh ShUlOIou AuIdndH Cle Jew
and the Merchant Theodore" !"
printed from an ancient manuscript.
Another copy exists in the library
at Turin. 1t is a curious compost
ton, properly not novel, but a
sermon, preached on Orthodoxy
Sunday in the Church of st. Sophia,
at ConStantinople, in the Tenth
century. 1t is not a newell but a
sermon, because it actually was de-
livered before a congregation in
church ; but we might add that
according to every received idea of
what sermon is, or ever was, this
IS not sermon but a story, and a
story Of some length, worked out
dramatically. 1t is supposed to be
founded on facts, but like most his
torical romances, it treats historical
facts with easy liberty.
The story is shortly this: In the
reign of Heraclius there lived in
Byzantium a merchant named
Theodore, a good man and a just,
who met with shipwreck and ruin,
and then went begging of his
friends loan for freighting new
vessel. The friends in the usual
way bow him out, shut the door in
his face, or drive him from their
houses. AS a last resource he goes
to worthy Jew, named Abraham,
and asks him to advance the money.
The Jew consents to do so on con-
dition that the merchant can get
some one to stand surety for him
for the repayment of the loan
should Theodore die. The merchant
again goes to his friends, and is
again refused with GOODNESS or in
suit. He passes in despair through
the copper market before the impe-
rial palace, when his eye is arrested
by the great Christ set up by Con-
stantine over the portico, glittering
in the morning sun. In a moment
of inspiration the rejected man
spreads his arms to the Christ and
entreats Him to stand surety for
him. Then he brings the Jew to
the market place and points him
out the surety he has chosen. After
some hesitation and gentle pro-
test, the Jew, who trusts the honor
of Theodore, but has no confidence
in this image, agrees to give him
the money. The merchant is again
wrecked and loses all.
A beautiful description follows
of the poor fellows shame and dis.
tress, Of the kindness of the Jew,
who seeks him out, comforts him.
promises to lend him the same sum
of money again. The character of
the Jew Is admirably drawn-a
mixture of generous trust and vet
OF cautious meanness, very true to
life. He bargains that should Theo-
dore remain away during the win
ter he should send him home, by a
safe hand, half his profits. This
the merchant promises to do. Then
Theodore sails for Spain, passes the
Pillar of Hercules, comes to Britain.
and ladies' his vessel with tin, after
having sold well the merchandise
he had brought from Constantine
pie. He returns to the Mediterrs-
mean, and winters either in Spain
or Sicily. His promise troubles
him. He has the money, but finds
no one to whom he can confide it, as
all the ships have sailed before the
equinoctial storms burst over the
sea. Then, full of faith, resolved
to keep his word, he places in a
stout box some money and a letter:
" In the name Of my heir and God,
my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
who is also my surety for a large
sum of money, |, Theodore, hum
bly, address my Master Abraham,
who, with God, is my berefactor
and creditor. l would have thee
know, Master Abraham, that we
all, by the mercy of God, are in
good health. God has verify pros
pered us well, and brought our
merchandise to a good market.
And now, Seel l send thee fifty
pounds of gold, which l commit to
the care of my surety, and he will
convey the money safely to thy
hands. Receive it from me and do
not forget us. Farewell" Then,
having fastened up the box and
pitched it well, he filings it into the
sea.
The story passes to Abraham
walking by the waters of the Sea
Of Marmora with his old steward,
conyersing on his prospects; the
old Jew sits down on the shingle,
and washes his feet, when he no.
LiceS something dancing on the
draws it out, and discov-
ers the box with the gold and letter
from the faithful Theodore. On
Ia. e l. |