Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-05-10

The earliest beginnings OF the modern nov
e like those of the modern dramn, were &c
cesiastical both in purpose and authorship.
Such was the story OF Abraham the jew and
the Merchant Theodore" preached rs ser
mon in the church of st. Sophia, CONSTANT
nople. in the tenth century. Persons who
have suffered from the infiction OF long, dry
sermons on abstruse points of doctrine, VIII
regret that the fashion Of conveying instruc-
tion has so utterly discarded from pulpit ex-
crcises this entertaining service Of the early
Christian churches This sermon is story
in FORM and is worked out dramatically. 1t
purports to be founded on facts, but, like
most historical romances, it treats historical
facts with easy liberty. The story Is shortly
this: In the reign of Heraclius there lived
in Byzantum q merchant named Theodore,
a good man and Just, who met with ship
wreck 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 last resource he goes to a
worthy jew named Abraham, and asks him to
advance the money. The jew consents to do
so on condition that the merchant can get
some one to stand surety to him for the re-
payment of the loan should Theodore die.
The merchant again goes to his friends and
is again refused with codness or insult. He
passes in despair through the copper-market
before the imperial palace, when his eye is
arrested by the great Christ set up by Con-
stantine over the portico, glittering in the
morning sun. In 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 out to him the surety he has
chosen. After some hesitation and gentle
L., H.. Nl,. ~
Theodore, but has no confidence in the i'm
age, agrees to give him the money. The
merchant is again wrecked and loses all A
beautiful description follows of the poor fell
lows shame and distress. of the kindness of
the jew, who seeks him out, comforts him,
and promises to lend him the same sum OF
money again. The character of the jew is
admirably dmwn-a mixture Of generous trust
and yet of cautious meanncss, very true to
life. He bargains that should Theodore re-
main away during the winter, he should send
him home, by II safe hand, half his profits
This the merchant promises to do. Then
Theodore sails for Spain passes the pillars Of
| Hercules. comes to Britain, and lades his yes
sci with tin, after having sold well the mer
chandise he had brought from Constantine
pie. He returns to the Mediterranean, ant
winters either in Spain or Sicily. His prom
| ise troubles him. He has the money bu
finds no one to whom he can confde it, as al
the ships have sailed before the equinoctia
storms burst over the sea. Then, full o.
faith, resolved to keep his word, he places il
a strong box some money, and a letter.
In the name of my heir and God, IN,
| Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is ais,
my surety for a large sum Of money, |, Theo
dore. humbly address my master Abraham
who, with God is my bencfactor and credit
or. l would have thee know. Master Abra
ham, that we all, by the mercy Of God, ar
in good health. God has verify prospered u
well, and brought our merchandise to a goo,
market. And now, see l send thee tift!
pounds Of gold which commit to the care o
my surety, and He will convey the none.
safely to thy hands. Receive it from me, ant
do not forget us. Farewell"
Then. having fastened up the box AM
pitched it well, he filings it into the sea. Th
story passes to Abraham walking by the wa
ters of the Sea of Marmora with his old stew
ard, conversing on his prospects the oil
jew sits on the shingle, and washes his feet
when he notices something dancing on tn
wavelets, draws il out, aud discovers the DO
with the gold and letter from the faithfr
Theodore. On the return of the merchau
the next spring. Abraham, to prove the fait
of the Christian. denies having received tn
gold The vavering of the merchants mind
well described His faith in Christ is yer
strong, so also is his confidence in the integ
rity OF Abraham. He cannot believe that hi
surety has not delivered the box and yet Ii
cannot doubt his creditor. Then, in perpleA
ity, he bids the jew come with him to tn
copper-market, aud take oath before the bra
zen Christ on the tetrastyle. The final seen
is very beautifully told. Theodore, with ON
spread hands, pours forth noble prayer, an
the jew, struck to the heart by the gloriou
faith that shines forth in the humble mel
chant, falls PROSTATE, weeping, and asks t
believe with his friend in Christ, the grea
Surety.