The young men now rose to depart; Pamphilus having first invited Rutilius to visit him again on an early day,—a request with which he was most willing to comply.

CHAPTER XI.

A Christian Church. The Discipline of Secrecy.
Asceticism.

From thence far off he unto him did shew

A little path, that was both steep and long,

Which to a goodly city led his view,

Whose walls and towers were builded high and strong

Of pearl and precious stone, that earthly tongue

Cannot describe, nor wit of man can tell

Too high a ditty for my simple song :

The city of the great King hight it well,
Wherein eternal peace and happiness doth dwell.

As he thereon stood gazing, he might see
The blessed angels to and fro descend
From highest heaven in gladsome company,
And with great joy into that city wend,
As commonly as friend does with his friend.
Whereat he wondered much, and 'gan inquire
What stately building durst so high extend
Her lofty towers unto the starry sphere,
And what unknowen nation there empeopled were.

Faery Queen.

On his first visit to Pamphilus, the presence of so many disciples had prevented Rutilius from making the inquiries which he wished respecting what had passed during the preceding night; but he hoped to be more successful next day. He spent some hours in the morning in viewing the splendid buildings with which king Herod had adorned Cæsarea: his grand port; and the noble mole, containing stones of fifty

feet in length, which gave security to the harbour. Such, thought the young Roman, are the effects of our ascendency over these indolent and unpractical Orientals. He continued his examination the longer, because he thought that any strangers who were visiting Cæsarea, would in all probability be to be found in places of such public resort. But no where could be seen the martial form of Marcellus, or the well-remembered figure of his beautiful fellow-traveller. And he was glad when the arrival of a suitable hour enabled him to renew his visit to Pamphilus.

"I have been seeing your town," he said, on his entrance: "for a provincial capital, your public buildings are splendid and substantial."

"Herod built them, no doubt, to gain credit with 66 as he beau

his Roman masters," said Pamphilus,

tified their temple to conciliate the Jews."

"But what is that large building which I saw on "it seems

a hill behind the palace?" said Rutilius ; but recently built."

"That building," replied the other, "is our church. Since a lengthened security has allowed us to profess our religion publicly, our people have raised many such edifices."

"Do you allow others to enter it?" asked the Roman.

"Certainly," said Pamphilus. "There are even parts of our service in which you might yourself share, though its more solemn portions are reserved merely for our own people. It is the period of the

day at which I am about to go there; and, if you wish, I will myself introduce you."

As Rutilius gave a ready assent, they set forth together. On their way, he asked his companion whether this was the only Christian church in the city. Pamphilus told him that at no great distance was a place which the Christians had formerly frequented in times of persecution, and which they still employed for some especial solemnities. Rutilius was at no loss to understand what was meant; and by further inquiries, he learnt that it was very usual for the Christians to assemble an hour or two before daylight, partly as a memorial of the time when they could assemble in safety at no other period, and partly for the convenience of those who were occupied all day in secular business.

The size and magnificence of the church equalled the expectation which Rutilius had formed of it at a distance. To the west of it was a lofty portico, leading to an open court, which separated the sacred building from the adjoining street. In the centre was a fountain, where Pamphilus stopped to wash his hands, before entering the main sanctuary. "This, I suppose, is some sort of holy water," said Rutilius. "In our temples, as you doubtless know, the worshippers are sprinkled with a water of lustration."

"There is some resemblance between the customs," replied Pamphilus; "but ours differs from yours, and has a different source. This fountain

contains nothing but common water; and we use it merely as an outward memorial of that purification of heart which is especially needed when we enter God's presence. Such outward washing is doubtless useless, if unaccompanied by inward preparation; yet has our Master said, 'This ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.' Your holy water may at first have been a testimony of man's consciousness of his inward defilements; but at present it is only an example of the blindness of superstition, since it seeks, by outward means, to cleanse the heart."

Thus saying, they approached the ascent which led into the church, Pamphilus giving alms as he went to a cripple and some poor people, who were seated on the steps. "You see," he said, with a smile, "whom our King chooses for His attendants. Here are the guards of the royal palace."

"

On entering, Rutilius found himself in a lofty and extensive building; but though his eye could trace the roof from one end to the other, yet his view below was obstructed by a rich screen-work of wood, which was drawn right across, at about twenty feet from him, and rose about twelve feet in height. Two handsome folding-doors, however, in the very middle of this partition, opened a vista to the furthest end of the church, where he saw a table or altar like that which he had seen in the church at the ruins,

1 Bingham's Antiquities, viii. 4. 1; where see a description of the general arrangement of the ancient churches.