The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-05-17


pleasure different altogether from that
which is md Petronlps and Caesars
court. and oil Rome were pursuinK.
Every other woman whom he knew
might become hills mistress. but that
Christian would only become his Vie
tim. And when he thought Of this, no
felt anger and burning pain, for he felt
that bis anger was powerless. 70
carry OF Lygia seemed to him. posi-
bic; he was even sure. that be. could
do 30. but he was equally sure that. in
view of her religion. he himself. with
his bravery, wds nothing. that HE DOW
er was nothing, and that through 4 40
could effect nothing. That Roman
military tribune. convinced that the
power Of the sword and the flst, which
had conquered the world. would com
mand It forever, said for the iirst time
in his life that beyond that power
there might be something elsei hence
he asked himself with amusement what
1t was"
II Is definite and concrete way that
the author has chosen to show the
power Of the new religion over human
lives Struggle a. he would, backed
BY birth, BY wealth and all the beauty,
charm and allurements that wealth
could bring. BY the Ingenuity and wit
Of Petronius, by the strong-arm meth.
DDS 81 Croton. ch1Mflo6 bfhlsef e
his time. even by the force 81 the
known world in Nero's sway. vinicius
could accomplish nothing II all he
could win to himself was a mere nm
willing body, while soul and spirit
were beyond his grasp. And the mad
dening part to him was that he owed
all his troubles to the teachings Of q
parcel Of Jewish fishermen or their
likes, or slaves or humble folk who
had never before entered into serious
consideration in the thoughts Of q pa
trician like himself. 1t was q long
struggle with him. and as the reader
follows the various people Of the story
through their part In the action, he
gets an admirable picture Of Rome
Nero, tyrant, actor and artist. with all
his magnificence and all his debauch-
cries; the poor and humble In their
crowded quarters of the great city;
the delight Of all the senses in the life
led by Petronius; the lawless streets
Of Rome by night: the pursuit Of Lygia
by vinicius and his hirelings, result
ing In the death Of his professional
bruiser Croton at the hands Of the
faithful Ursus, and the disaster r.
vinicius which led to his nursing back
to health by the Christians; his meet
ing with Peter and Paul; the gradual
opening Of his eyes, physical and spir-
itual; his discovery Of Christians
everywhere. among the people, among
his own slaves, among soldiers and off,
GERS, even in the very court Of Nero.
And the growing worry and astonish'
ment of Petr0nius:
"'vinicius, thou art losing sense.
Judgment, moderation exclaimed Pc
trOnius.
"T love only her in the world re-
sponded Vinicius. =
"'What of thatY
"'This, that I wish no other love.
I have no wish for your life, your
feasts, your shamelessness, your
"'what is taking place in thee7 Arr
thou q Christian"
And then the great fire Of Rome.
set by Tigellinus that Nero might not
lack the experience Of Priam, who had
seen Troy burn; Of rescuing Lygia
from the flames; the persecution Of the
Christians with the thought of throw
Ing on them the rage. of the people
at the burning Of the city; the
singing out Of Lygia by the hate OF
Poppaea because Vinicius had spurned
the empress proffered charms; the
final rescue by a miracle Of strength
On the part of the ever-faithful Ursus,
and the words Of Vinicius to Peter:
"'What thou commandest I will
TO-
"'Love men as thy own brothers,
answered the apostle, for only with
owe mayest thou serve Him."
Copyright, 1919. by the Post Publishing Co.
(The Boston POST. Printed by permis-
sion Of, and arrangement with. Little.
Brown g. Co., authorized publishers