Arriving at the inn, Rebecca invited Serenus to enter, and receive the thanks of her friends. But he made some plea of haste, and turned to depart, only saying,—
“Peace abide with thee!”
She returned the salutation, and then, remembering that he had not made himself known, except as a son of Israel, inquired,—
“Who art thou, that we may send thee greeting for thy great favor?”
“I am a friend of Saulus;” and before her knock was answered, he was out of sight.
A few days after, late in the afternoon, a little group were holding earnest converse in the court of the Sheepmarket inn. Abdiel, the venerable Rabbi of Tarsus, bewailed the changes which had come to pass in the Holy City since his long sojourn there many years before.
“Behold,” he exclaimed bitterly, “false prophets and teachers have arisen, and boldly proclaim their blasphemous doctrines in the synagogues, yea, in the very courts of the Temple on the Holy Hill. The streams which should flow out in pure volume to refresh and confirm the children of the Dispersion are becoming poisoned at the fountain-head.”
“It is even as thou sayest, O venerable Abdiel!” replied Almon. “We may almost perceive heresy and false doctrine in the very air about us! It cometh mainly from [pg 150]the followers of an impostor named Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified not long ago between two thieves. His disciples have waxed yet more bold in their teachings; and some of them set at naught the Holy Place itself, while others continue in the ordinances of the Chosen People, but lightly esteem them.”
“What manner of people are they? and what is their doctrine?”
“Saulus is more learned in these matters, and can more perfectly inform thee.”