“But surely thou wilt tell me more of thy prophecy, and by what means thou didst receive the message?”
“Behold I was about to acquaint thee with that! The divine wisdom hath placed within the nature of all men certain prophetic spiritual instincts, but they are yet latent, except in a few souls who have been inwardly illumined. Favored in my lot and experience, some of this inner clear-sightedness hath come to me. [pg 288]At certain times and seasons it enableth me to behold that which is commonly invisible, and also, not only to foretell some events of the future, but verily to see them. This power cometh not by any special and miraculous bestowment, but through an inward unfolding, and an understanding of the law of inspiration. Thou hast the same power in thyself, but it hath not yet been awakened. Thou wouldst know how I, or rather the spirit that is within me, is assured of our safety! I answer, that though it hath not yet come to pass, yet in my retiracy this night I have seen every one safe in Tarsus!”[10]
The master of the Salapiæ was attentive and interested, but not convinced. But the earnest sincerity and indefinable charm of the young man’s presence almost persuaded him against his will.
The Roman and Hebrew stood in brotherly embrace amidst the roar and darkness, but one represented the seen and sensuous, and the other the unseen and real. Man, to the first, was only a visible and animated form; to the second, he was a spiritual entity, even though now possessing material form and expression. To one, when he sank beneath the waves, it was his end; to the other, the man was intact. To the latter, the sinking, at the worst, could be but an unmoral incident; not an evil, as that term conveys ethical quality. Drowning could neither take away from, nor add to, the [pg 289]real man or his character. The loss of one mode of expression does not touch the ego.
“What counsel dost thou offer me?” inquired Vivian.
“In the conduct of the ship, none! Abate not one jot of the labor at the pumps, and diligently employ all thy skill and watchfulness in the use of other means which thou deemest wise. My converse with thee is that of man and brother, but as master of the Salapiæ none can question thee.”
“Behold thou hast great charity and a loving spirit!” exclaimed Vivian. “I have heard many of thy race revile us as outcasts and idolaters, while they called themselves the chosen of heaven.”
“Thou art my brother, even though thou understandest not my faith, and we are all sons of the Most High God.”
“Verily such a saying mine ears never before have heard! Thou dost me too much honor! With all my diligence to please the gods, I have always counted myself as a man subject to error and passion!”
“While thou hast made many mistakes, and hast much to learn, thou art inmostly a child of Goodness; and as thou dost come to thy veritable self, thou wilt discover thine own likeness to the Divine Father!”