Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-20
The Jew And The Merchant.

Abraham the Jew and the Merchant
Theodore, printed by Combefsius from
a manuscript, is in the National library
at Paris. Another copy exists in the
library at Turin. 1t is curious cempo-
sition, properly not a novel, but a SER
mon, preached on Orthodoxy Sunday in
the Church of the St. Sophia, at Constan-
tinople, in the tenth century. 1t is not
a novel, but sermon, because it actual
| ly was delivered before congregation
in church, but we might add that. &C
cordlng to every received idea Of what
sermon is, or ever was, this is not a SER
mon, but story of some length, worked
out dramatically. 1t supposed to be
founded on facts, but like most histori-
cal romances, it treats historical ia It's
with easy liberty. The story is shortly
this: In. the reign of Heraclius there
lived in Byzantium merchant named
Theodore, a good man and just, who
met with shipwreck and ruin, and tn en-
went begging Of his friends a loan for
frelgnting 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 re-
source he goes to worthy Jew named
Abraham, aud 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
repayment of the loan should Theodore
die. The merchant again goes to his
friends, and is again refused with cold
ness 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 Constantine
over the portico, glittering in the morn
ing 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 him out the
surety he has chosen. After some hesita-
ton and gentle protest, the Jew, who
trusts the honor of Theodore, but has no
confidence in the image, agrees to give
him the money. The merchant is again
wrecked and loses all. A beautiful de-
scription follows of the poor fellows
shame and distress, Of the kindness of
the Jew, who seeks him out, comforts
him, and promises to lend him the money
again. The character of the Jew is ad-
mirably drawn-a mixture Of generous
trust and yet of cautious meanness, very
true to life. He bargains that should
Theodore remain away during the winter
he should send him home,by 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 ladies' his vessel with
tin, after having sold we'll the merchan-
disc he had brought from Constantincple.
He returns to che Mediterranean, and
winters either in Spain Or Sicily.
His promise troubles him. He has the
money but finds no one to whom he can
confde it, as all the ships have sailed be-
fore the equinoctial storms burst over
the sea. Then, full Of faith, resolved to
keep his word, he places in stout box
some money and q letter: SIN the name
of my heir and God, my Lord and Saw
our Jesus Christ, who is my surety for
large sum Of money, I, Theodore, humbly
address my master Abraham, who, with
God, is my benefactor, and creditor, l
that we all, by the mercy of God, are in
good health. God has verify prospered
us well, and brought our merchandise to
a good market, and now, seel l send
thee so pounds Of gold, which I commit
to the care of my surety, and he will con-
vey the money safely to thy hands. Re
ceive it from me and do not forget us.
Farwell." Then, having fastened up the
box and pitched it we'll, he filings it into
the sea. The story passes to Abraham
walking by the waters of the sea Of Mar
mora with his old steward, conversing on
his prospects; the old Jew sits down on
the shile and washes his feet, when he
notices something dancing on the wave
lets, draws it out, and discovers the box
with the gold and letter from the faith
full Theodore. On the return of the
merchant next spring, Abraham, to prove
the faith of the Christian, denies shaving
received the gold. The wavering of the
merchants mind is we'll described. His
faith in Christ is very strong, so, also is
is his confidence in the integrity of
Abraham. He cannot believe that his
surety has not delivered the box, and yet
he cannot doubt his creditor. Then, in
perplexity, he bids the Jew come with
him to the copper market and take oath
before the brazen Christ on the tetrastyle.
Theodore, with outspread hands, pours
forth noble prayer and the Jew, struck
to the heart by the glorious faith that
shines forth in the humble merchant,
falls PROSTATE, weeping and asks to believe
| with bis friend in Christ the great Surety,