CHRISTMAS EVENING AT THE PITTS-STREET CHAPEL,
A very neat chapel, where Rev. Mr. Winkley, one of the Ministers at Large, preaches. On this occasion a platform was built up in front of the pulpit: most of the centre pews were filled with happy-looking boys and girls, and the rest of the room, even to the aisles, quite crowded with grown-up men and women. After the singing of two hymns by the children, and a prayer, a gentleman made a short address, telling how much better was the religion of the Jews than the religion of the Heathen. Then was spoken in a very pleasant way the following
DIALOGUE—PART I.
RACHEL, a Jewess.—REBECCA, Sister of Rachel.—EUDORA, a Heathen.—JEZEBEL, a Messenger.—RUTH, friend of Rachel and Rebecca.
Eudora. Rachel!
Rachel. Eudora! welcome, thrice welcome, to Jerusalem.
Eudora. Right glad am I, Rachel, to be once more by your side. The sun has not shone so brightly, nor the birds sung so sweetly, since you bade me farewell at my father's; and every moment has increased my desire to be with you again.
Rachel. You have well done that you have come to me. And though I was not conscious of robbing your lovely home of its brightness, yet sure I am the remembrance of your true kindness and tender friendship has been to me ever since an increase of sunshine and song; and, now that you have come to me, the very temple itself shall look more beautiful, and the songs of David catch a new inspiration.
Eudora. Still faithful, I see, to your temple and Jehovah; and so may it ever be! But I trust you have more respect for the gods I worship, and will not, as of yore, pronounce them false.
Rachel. Sorry should I be to pain a true heart, and, most of all, that of my much-loved guest; but, still I must say, the gods that you worship are no gods. There is but one God, and that is Jehovah.
Eudora. As I came near Jerusalem, I remembered your earnest words on that subject,—as what that you ever uttered have I forgotten? I remembered, too, how nearly out of patience I often felt with you for claiming your god to be the only God; and, so as I drew near, I felt a desire to know him better. It being a time of worship in the temple, I went with a Jewish friend of mine up the hill, and entered the outer court, called, I believe, the Court of the Gentiles. And, verily, I saw no god there. Perchance he was in the temple itself.
Rachel. Yes, in the holy of holies: in the farther apartment of that building which you saw rising amid all the courts, he dwells.
Eudora. I imagined that was his abode. But wherein differs your worship from ours? You have a temple; so have we. You have priests clothed in sacred robes; so have we. You have altars and sacrifices; so have we. You have an oracle and prophets; so have we. You go up to the dwelling-place of your God to worship and offer sacrifices; so do we. Wherein, then, do we differ?
Rachel. If in nothing else, Eudora, yet in this: we have but one temple and one God for our nation; you have many. And again, you worship the work of men's hands,—images of wood and stone, that can neither see nor feel.
Rebecca (coming forward—Jezebel approaches). My heart is moved within me; and though my sister, in her joy of seeing her friend, has left me standing apart, yet your voice has drawn me to you.
Eudora. Surely the sister of my friend shall be my sister: would that I could say her God shall be my God!
Rebecca. Even so may it be!
Eudora. And my gods hers!
Rebecca. But that is impossible.
Eudora. Why? Because, as she says, we have images for gods! But this is not so. Is Jupiter the thunderer confined to an image? or is Juno or any other deity? Have we not many images of all the gods in many places, and are they not in them all? Do not our armies go forth to war, and is not Jupiter with them and Mars also? These images are but reminders of the gods, as my father's statue is of him.
Rebecca. 'Tis true these many images and temples may not hold your gods more than our synagogues hold Jehovah; but as great an error is yours. You worship what has no existence; your gods are creatures of fancy. Your gods, too, are of various character, and not always agreed. This goodly world is not the patch-work of many and different gods, but of one designing mind,—one executing power; and that one, Jehovah.
Eudora. Your sister, in many hours of precious intercourse, has almost persuaded me to believe in but one God; but why, if there be but one, may not that one be our Jupiter, known as the father of gods and men, as well as your Jehovah?
Jezebel (To Eudora). Because he is not. (To Rachel and Rebecca). Why do you talk with that stupid Heathen? You might as well convince a Samaritan dog. I have waited here with a message from David since the fifth hour, and all to be contaminated with idolatrous breath.
Rachel. Why, Jezebel, do you not remember what the wise Solomon has said: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city;" or Moses' commands concerning the stranger and hospitality?
Jezebel. Well, prate not to me, daughter of Eliab; for I need it not. Tell me if you have fulfilled the mission given you this day, and what answer I shall make.
Rachel. I have. Ye only need say, "It is well." [Jezebel departs impatiently.] (To Eudora.) Be not moved by our neighbor's unkind manners. Did she love Jehovah, she would not thus do.
Eudora. And is Jehovah careful about these things?
Rachel. Yes: every act is noticed by him; every heart is his desire; and herein he differs from all imaginary gods. Jupiter sits apart, and simply rules the nations. Jehovah loves the children he has created, and is careful about their least concerns. He desires their love in return. Your gods demand conduct and sacrifices injurious and degrading. Jehovah's every word is for his people's prosperity.
Eudora. And you are like your god. Your patient doing of right in the past comes to me; and this, with your kindness to the unfeeling and abusive Jezebel, has convinced me more, if possible, than your arguments. Surely I see that it was such a god that I desired to worship in Jupiter. If this be found alone in your god, then does my heart move me to say, Jehovah, He is God, and there is none else. Oh! may I not be mistaken!
Rachel. Trust in Jehovah, and thou shalt not err.
Rebecca. Rejoice in Jehovah, and thou shalt be glad for ever.
Ruth (calling). Rachel!
Rachel. I come. (To Eudora.) Let us hasten; for we have long tarried, and many wait to welcome you. (Singing heard.) Hark! they are singing one of the songs of David: let us go join them.
At the close of the dialogue, the cxxxvi. Psalm was chanted; and then another gentleman described the erroneous notions which the Jews had of the expected Messiah. His remarks were succeeded by
DIALOGUE.—PART II.
ANNA, MARTHA, SALOME, MARY, of Jerusalem. MIRIAM, LEAH, of Bethlehem.
Mary (coming with Salome to Martha). Martha, I have been seeking, and am glad that I have found you; but why do you weep?
Martha. We may do nothing else now, and the meeting with others seems to be the signal for fresh floods of tears.
Salome. I may not ask the cause of your grief; for my own soul replies it is the common grief,—our nation's bondage.
Martha. Yes, we are slaves; that only thought haunts me; the chosen people of Jehovah in subjection to the idolatrous Roman.
Salome. Where now is the might of David? where the glory of Solomon? Surely Miriam's song may be turned upon ourselves; for the enemy "hath triumphed gloriously," and we are laid in the dust.
Mary. Let us not, however, despond too much. Jehovah will not always chide. The Roman sway shall have an end.
Martha. I know that Messiah cometh, and he will restore all things; but when?
Salome. Yes, when? Long have we waited, and bitter has been our bondage; and even our own Herod has been more cruel than our foes.
Mary. Nevertheless, let us hope. In the fulness of time the promised one will come. (Miriam and Leah approach.) But, see! two more friends join us.
Martha. Rather say, two more slaves.
Salome. Yes; two more to weep with us.
Miriam. Not so, not so, unless we weep for joy. The cloud that has so long hung over us in blackness is beginning to break. We have experienced more of gladness this day than has been ours since the last report that the Messiah had come was proved false.
Leah. Yes, we have heard strange things since the morning service; joyful news have we for you.
Martha. Another false prophet, no doubt, claiming to be Israel's deliverer, and proving a thousand times her foe.
Salome. Let us not cheat ourselves with any more fanatical dreams.
Miriam. No dream this; no fanatic's voice; no prophet's word, but a message direct from Heaven.
Martha. A message from Heaven!
Leah. 'Tis even so. Listen while I tell you. At Bethlehem, last night, the shepherds were watching their flocks as usual; at midnight they were startled by the sudden appearance of an angel of the Lord, and the shining round about them of an exceeding bright light; and the angel spoke to them. "Fear not," said he, "for, behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, even the Messiah."
Martha. Can this be true?
Salome. But how shall he be known?
Anna. In Bethlehem, did you say? But there is no palace in Bethlehem, where a prince should be born.
Leah. Wait a little: I have not told you all. "This," said the angel to the shepherds, "shall be a sign to you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And, when he had thus said, there suddenly joined him a multitude of the heavenly host; and presently they burst forth into this song,—"Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace and good will towards men!" And with this song they departed.
Anna. This is indeed wonderful!
Salome. But have the shepherds seen the babe?
Martha. Oh! tell us that. Have they seen the babe? and are all things as they have declared?
Miriam. Yes. We met them on their return. They were, with full hearts, praising God for the new hope of a glorious deliverance given to the nation.
Leah. All hearts warmed as they spoke; and, catching their gladness, we come to you.
Mary. Then shall we indeed hope! O my people! my people Israel! shall we see you again in your former glory?
Martha. Surely, this news inspires my own soul. Once more shall the Roman be driven forth by the Lord of hosts; once more "shall Jehovah triumph, and his people be free."
Salome. Yes; and Messiah shall bring all nations into subjection to us, as we are now to the Romans.
Anna. Well may we wait a little longer, and bear the yoke with patience.
Mary. I knew the Lord would not always chide, nor keep his anger for ever. Now may we rejoice and glory in the God of our salvation.
Martha. Once more shall the name of a Jew be somewhat more than a byword. When our King shall ride forth in his majesty, conquering and to conquer, then shall the Jews be terrible to their enemies, honored by their friends, and known everywhere as the people of the whole earth whom the Lord delighteth to honor.
Leah. Let us tarry no longer here, feasting on these good things alone; but away; and, in every closet and from every house-top, let us spread the good news.
Mary. Let us first, however, sing to Jehovah a song of triumph, and then to our work.
Miriam. Even so let it be.
Then arose, beautifully sung, this