its foundations and brought it to the verge of destruction in spite of the persecutions, in spite of the edicts of the apostate Julian, in spite of the desperate efforts of the philosophers, sophists, and heathen—­for our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, has given certainty and actuality to the fleeting shadow of half-divined truth which lies in the core of the worship of Serapis.  The pure and radiant star of Christian love has risen in the place of the dim nebulous mist of Serapis; and just as the moon pales when the sun appears triumphant, the worship of Serapis has died away in a thousand places where the gospel has been received.  Even here, in Alexandria, its feeble flame is kept alive only by infinite care, and if the might of our pious and Christian Emperor makes itself felt-tomorrow, or next day—­then, my beloved, it will vanish in smoke, and no power on earth can fan it into life again.  Not our grandsons, no, but our own children will ask:  Who—­what was Serapis?  For he who shall be overthrown is no longer a mighty god but an idol bereft of his splendor and his dignity.  This is no struggle of might against might; it is the death-stroke given to a wounded and vanquished foe.  The tree is rotten to the core and can crush no one in its fall, but it will cover all who stand near it with dust and rubbish.  The sovereign has outlived his dominion, and when his fingers drop the sceptre few indeed will bewail him, for the new King has already mounted the throne and His is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever!  Amen.”

Dada had listened to the deacon’s address with no particular interest, but the conclusion struck her attention.  The old man looked dignified and honest; but Father Karnis was a well-meaning man, no doubt, and one of those who are wont to keep on the winning side.  How was it that the preacher could draw so pitiable a picture of the very same god whose greatness her uncle had praised in such glowing terms only two days since?  How could the same thing appear so totally different to two different people?

The priest looked more sagacious than the musician; Marcus, the young Christian, had a most kind heart; there was not a better or gentler creature under the sun than Agne—­it was quite possible that Christianity was something very different in reality from what her foster parents chose to represent.  As to the frightful consequences of the overthrow of the temple of Serapis, on that point she was completely reassured, and she prepared to listen with greater attention as Eusebius went on: 

“Let us rejoice, beloved!  The great idol’s days are numbered!  Do you know what that false worship has been in our midst?  It has been like a splendid and richly-dressed trireme sailing, plague-stricken, into a harbor full of ships and boats.  Woe to those who allow themselves to be tempted on board by the magnificence of its decorations!  How great is their chance of infection, how easily they will