him from the world:—­“If in 440 the days of thy life it happen that thou hear sage men ask of the holy tree and stir up strife concerning the rood of victory whereon the true King was crucified, Lord of heaven and Child of all 445 peace, then do thou, my dear son, ere death snatch thee off, quickly declare that never shall the people of the Hebrews, taking wise counsel together, hold sway and rule over men, but the glory and kingdom 450 shall endure of those who, filled with gladness from age to age, revere and love the crucified King."’

’Then I boldly gave answer unto my father, the 455 aged counselor:—­“How came it to pass in the kingdom of the world that with wrathful intent our fathers laid hands on the Holy One to put him to death, if they had knowledge that he was Christ, 460 the King upon the cross, true Son of the Creator, and Saviour of souls?"’

’And my parent gave answer unto me, wisely my father spake:—­“Recognize, O youth, the surpassing power of God, the name of the Saviour which may not be expressed by any man.  No man on 465 earth can search it out.  Never would I visit the council which this people held, but I ever kept myself aloof from their sin, nor wrought shame 470 unto my soul in any way.  Many times I earnestly withstood the unrighteous act when the wise men sat in council, and sought in their heart how they might crucify the Son of the Creator, the Bulwark 475 of men and Lord of all, of angels and of mortals, the most noble of heroes.”

’"But these foolish and wretched men could not bring death upon Him as they weened, nor beset Him about with agony, though He, the victorious Son of God, for a little while yielded up His ghost upon 480 the cross.  Then the King of the heavens, the Glory of all glory, was raised from off the rood, and abode three nights in the tomb, within the place of darkness; and upon the third day He arose living, Light 485 of all light and Lord of angels, and revealed himself unto His followers, the true Prince of victory, resplendent in glory.  Then after a little space, Stephen, thy brother, received the bath of baptism, 490 the faith of joy, and for the love of the Lord he was stoned.  Yet he gave not evil for evil, but in patient suffering made intercession for his ancient foes, and prayed the King of glory that He would not lay to their charge this evil deed, that they 495 deprived of life a man innocent and free from guile through hate and the teachings of Saul.

’"And this Saul in enmity was dooming many a follower of Christ to torture and death, yet the 500 Lord showed mercy unto him so that he became a solace for many men.  And in after times the God of creation, Redeemer of men, changed his name, and he was called Saint Paul, and of the teachers of 505 the law no one of all those, or man or woman born into the world, was ever better than he beneath the span of the heavens, even though upon the hill he bade crush Stephen, thy brother, with stones. 510