“I am here in obedience to thy request?” said Marcius inquiringly.
The kindly face of the Seer lighted up with a beneficent smile, as he replied,—
“I give thee cordial welcome, and am persuaded that thy visit will not be in vain. I have knowledge of thy good works, and that thou hast delight in the upliftment and release of entangled souls.”
“I am in no wise minded how my strange visit hath any virtue in such an accomplishment!”
“Peradventure there be unseen prisoners struggling for freedom that thou knowest not of.”
“I shall rejoice in any opportunity for spiritual ministry,” said Marcius; “but if thou art pleased to communicate, may I first inquire concerning thyself and thy profession?”
“I am descended from the Magi of the far East. My father was one of the wise men who brought offerings to the Babe of Bethlehem, an observer of the stars, and skilled in magic. I have dwelt in many lands, sojourning for some time in Athens before coming here.”
“Of what avail is the mystery and seclusion which are wrapped about thy seership?”
“Behold the minds of this generation are descended from the spiritual altitude of the sages of the earlier world, therefore the mysteries of the Universe, and of mind and spirit, must be veiled and guarded from the sensuous vulgarity of the present age. How long, thinkest thou, should we be permitted to cultivate acquaintance with mysticism and spiritual science if our Art were made known to Nero? Behold if water is to mirror [pg 455]the heavens it must be still and deep, and wholly unruffled by the winds of Circumstance! Our wisdom would shrink to naught unless lifted beyond the murky atmosphere of the sense and selfishness of every-day life.”
“I perceive the truth of what thou speakest, and would know further of thy philosophy and aspiration.”