Smyrna times., 1878-10-16

l can only speak now about one of the
many pictures he painted. This is called
"St. Christopher" and have chosen it
because it was inspired by very beautiful !
and significant legend, which l will tell
first and then describe the picture, which
will be much more easily understood with
the story in mind.
There was a giant in Canaan called
Offero. He was prodigiously large and
strong and very proud because of this; but
he was so poor that he was obliged to be
somebody's servant. He made up his
mind, however, that only the mightiest
king should be his master, and he set out
to find him. He journed many days, and
at last reached the kingdom of one who
was said to be the most powerful monarch
on earth. Here he offered his services and
was accepted: for the king liked to have
such followers as no one else could boast.
For time Offero served him faithfully,
but it chanced one day that he was present
when minstrel sang a song before the
king, in which he made frequent mention
of Satan, and rs often as the dreadful
name occurred, the monarch trembled and
crossed himself
"Why doest thou that2' the giant
asked.
But the king gave him no answer.
| thee" he urged.
Then the king said 81 make the sign
that Satan may have no power over me.
| lie is both strong and wicked: therefore |
| fear him."
"Since thou fearest him, he must be |
more powerful than thou art; therefore he |
shall be my MASTER" replied Offero; and |
he Immediately set out to find him.
He travelled many days in vain, but at
last he met mighty and terrible being |
marching on the borders of a dreary |
desert at the head of host of armed men.
He did not seem to notice Otferos great
size, but demanded who he was and
whittier he was going
81 seek Satan, who is the mightiest
king of whom l have yet heard" the giant
replied; " | wish to be his servant"
At this the leader of the host was pleased.
"Thou hast found him; am he; and
will make thy services both easy and pleas
ant" he said.
SO Offero Joined himself to this new
master, until in their travels they came one
day upon a wayside cross that stood where
four roads met When Satan saw it, he
turned pale, and went long way round to
avoid it.
"What means this?' the giant asked.
But his master gave him no answer.
"Uness thou tellest me | must leave
thee" he said
Then the devil spoke: 81 fear the cross,
5 because on it Christ died. | fed lest he
overcome me-"
t "Then will leave thee, and search till
f find him. He is greater than thou art,
| else thou wouldst not tremble. My master
2 must fear nothing"
! Again Ofero set out and wandered long
I | i I, l. Al, II
| hermit.
S "Tell me where l can find Christ" he
5 said; | would serve him; for he is the
! most powerful king of whom l have yet
t heard"
3 "Thou hast we'll said" the hermit an
f swered Gle is almighty in heaven and
Q earth but his service is no light matter.
r If thou wouldst serve him thou must pray
!, often and fast much"
/; "That l will not do" answered the
@ proud giant 81 know not how to pray ;
Il neither will l waste my strength by fast
}. ing"
# "Then, if thou wilt neither fast nor
pray" the hermit replied, perhaps thou
C canst serve Christ with that thou hast
t, Knowest thou that broad, deep river, that
a in time of rain is swollen and dangerous 2'
e. 81 know it we'll" Offero answered.
d broad shoulders the weak and little ones
d so shall thy great strength be useful in the
Ie saving of many lives. And if thy service
s, be accepted of Christ he will give thee q
ID sign"
y Then Offero answered joyfully: "Thou
le hast now set me task that | can perform
De and | will do it,"
So he went at once to the river, anC
ID built himself hut upon its bank anC
a when he had pulled up in the forest tai
id palm.tree with which to steady his steps il
ut the strong current that had swept man.
as away, lie began his work. For long tim
m he carried over all who wished to cross, s,
"a. that not one life was lost where so man
IS. had perished. So our Lord looked dow
ed upon him out of heaven with pleasure, ant
at said within himself: Behold this stron
oh man who knoweth not yet how to worsh
,e- me, but hath found a way to serve me-"
ok At last, one night when the giant reste
lie in his hut of boughs, he heard little chill
nd calling him "Ofero, wilt thou carry m
nd over? ?" He went out quickly, but coul
lis find no one, and returned to the hu
ok Presently he heard the voice, and when
a came third time he took his lantern an
is made a careful search. Then he found
tiny boy, who begged that he would carr
ect him over. He set the child on his bacl
Ire and, staff in hand, went down into til
a river, when suddenly dreadful storl
ex- burst upon them. The wind swept dow
be- with terrible fury, and the waters roare
re- with noise like thunder. The child gre
nd heavier every moment, till he seemed lii
ted mountain on the giants shoulders, ar
,tic he began to fear that he should be utter
He overborn; but nothing daunted he stru
the gled on till he reached the opposite shor
: to Putting down his burden in safety, he crie
ay "Who art thou that seemest so small, al
yet art heavier than the word2'
tier 81 am the master thou servest," Il
ian child answered, "Thou hast proved th
in self faithful, and have accepted thee.
hen thou wouldst have a proof of my pow
for and approval, plant thy staff in the cart
we'd and it shall put forth leaves and be
the fruit"
hat Offero obeyed, and instantly the ba
it branches were covered with foliage, am
ION. which the dates hung in rich clusters.
dig turned to the wonderful child in anna
and ment, but he was gone. So Offero KIN
rth, that he had borne on his broad back Chr
Isl" the King of kings; and, falling on
out knees, he worshippea him.
lord Then the giant went to Samos, where
oble terrible persecution against the ChristiG
was raging, and he did much to encours
terry and strengthen them. One day heath
ace, struck him; but Offero did not return
ows, blow. "I am Christian, therefore
lem, not take vengeance on thee" he sa
tn When the people heard this, they sell