Bringing water from a neighbouring rill in a large bowl, their host insisted on washing the travellers' feet--although not until they saw it would cause offence longer to refuse did they permit him to perform this act of humiliation.

As the shades of evening drew on, a voice was suddenly heard chanting a hymn from the opposite side of the gulf. It was echoed by another further up, until nearly a dozen voices had joined in the solemn strains.

"They are my brethren who have come here to dwell, and devote themselves to calm contemplation, fasting, prayers, and penance," said the recluse.

"You shall be made known to them to-morrow, and hear the words of heavenly wisdom taught from their lips."

Jovinian and Largus made their beds by the aid of their saddles and horse-cloths in the outer porch, and were glad that they were not invited to enter the interior of the cavern. It appeared dirty in the extreme.

Mephitic odours pervaded the air. At the further end was a rough cross formed of wood, in front of which two palms were burning. They saw their host prostrate himself before it, and lie at full length with his arms stretched out for a long period; but he did not invite them to join in his devotions. He then rose and closed the intermediate door, so as to shut himself out from their view. Occasionally, during the night, they heard the sound of a lash, while groans and cries issued from the cell. Suddenly, as they were just dropping off to sleep, they were aroused by a voice from within: "Begone, Mercury--I know thee well, and thy ever-changing form; licentious messenger of uncleanness, thou canst not deceive me; and thou, mighty Jove, ended is thy reign, thy thunderbolts fall harmlessly, thy lightnings cannot strike me." Thus, one after the other, the heathen G.o.ds were addressed as if they were present endeavouring to win back the anchorite to their worship.

At daybreak next morning their host roused up his guests, and invited them to join him in prayer. So extravagant were the expressions he uttered that Jovinian could with difficulty retain a due composure.

While they were breaking their fast, the recluse, who refused to eat, recounted to them numbers of miracles which he affirmed that he had performed, but which Jovinian was convinced--were he not purposely imposing upon them--were the hallucinations of a disordered brain.

Jovinian could not fail to observe in his unhappy host a vain-glorious exaltation of self, and a spirit of pride combined with a false humility, which the system of asceticism was so calculated to foster.

He saw, too, that this vain attempt to merit the favour of G.o.d arose from utter ignorance of G.o.d's loving and merciful character, that it set at nought Christ's finished work--His blood which cleanseth from all sin,--and was directly opposed to all the teaching of the Gospel.

His host afterwards entreated Jovinian to remain a few days, that he might learn more of the mode of life; and practices of himself and his a.s.sociates.

"Before I can join you I must consult the holy volume which is my rule of faith, and ascertain whether your practices are in accordance with its precepts," answered Jovinian. "I have not so learnt Christ, and I cannot believe that He who spent His ministry on earth in going about doing good among human beings would have His followers spend their lives where they can be of no use to any one."

The pale brow of the anchorite flushed as he heard the young man speak.

"Come, you may think better of my proposal; but I will now take you to visit my a.s.sociates."

The tour which Jovinian made among the other huts rather strengthened than altered his first impression. The inmates, he observed, were profoundly ignorant of Christian truth; a self-righteous ignoring of the righteousness of Christ prevailed universally among them. Some had probably been mad when they resorted to their present mode of life, and others had produced madness by their self-inflicted tortures or abstinence from proper nourishment. When he spoke to them he found that they were far from living in brotherly love: jealousy and ill-will prevailed, while several, a.s.serting their superior sanct.i.ty, accused the others of being guilty of all sorts of horrible crimes.

Such was the commencement in Italy of the anchorite or monkish system, which had long existed in the East, and which soon spread over the western part of Christendom.

Jovinian returned to the hut; and, desiring Largus to saddle the horses without delay, bade farewell to their host.

"You will come back and join us?" said the anchorite, not at all aware of the impression made on Jovinian's mind.

"Not until I find that the system you are pursuing is according to G.o.d's way, and that I can thereby promote His honour and glory," was the answer.

"Alas, alas!" exclaimed the anchorite, as Jovinian and his attendant rode off; "you will never gain heaven if you thus refuse our way of seeking it."

Jovinian made no reply; arguments were useless with one who appeared little better than a madman.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE MEETING.

As Jovinian and his attendant proceeded over the rugged paths, they naturally looked out somewhat anxiously to reaching their journey's end in safety.

For several days they were compelled to put up at the huts of the mountaineers, and twice to seek shelter in caverns which it was evident had been used by other wayfarers. They were now travelling over some of the Cottian Alps. Here the mountains, broken by precipices, amid which they had to wind their way, rose on every side--the rocky bulwarks of those secluded valleys towards which they were directing their course.

Here crag rose above crag, enormous ma.s.ses of rock extending into the glens beneath--abysses of a depth which the eye could not penetrate.

Innumerable springs of water gushed forth from the rocks, some uniting and forming torrents, which dashed foaming downwards into the hollows below. At length, surmounting a lofty ridge, they looked down upon a valley which presented scenery of the most beautiful description. So completely encircled was it by a rocky chain of mountains, that it appeared as if no rough winds could ever disturb its tranquillity.

Sparkling fountains, issuing from the sides of the hills, made their way towards a bright stream which flowed at the bottom of the valley, irrigating the land in its course. The declivities were clothed with trees of every description, among which were numbers bearing fruit--the mulberry, the chestnut, the cherry, the walnut, and others. Cottages could be seen scattered about in every direction, showing that this favoured spot was thickly inhabited.

Here and there were dwellings of greater pretensions, which peeped forth from amid the groves. One edifice specially struck Jovinian: it had the form of a basilica such as those lately erected in Rome, and he had no doubt that it was used for Christian worship. No heathen temples were anywhere seen, although here and there a ma.s.s of ruins might have marked the spot where the shrine of an idol had stood. Jovinian's heart beat more joyously than it had done for a long time. One of those residences, he was certain, must be the abode of Severus. Many months had pa.s.sed since he last had heard from him, and a still longer period since he had been able to despatch a letter to his friend. Jovinian, therefore, was not expected; but his arrival would, he hoped, cause pleasure as well as surprise. The travellers, therefore, did not spend many moments in contemplating the enchanting scenery spread out before them, but, urging on their steeds, descended by a narrow pathway, leading from the heights they had gained through a deep gorge, which had to be pa.s.sed before the valley could be entered. From the first peasant they met they inquired the way to the house of Severus.

"It is hard by the basilica which he has had erected for us," was the answer; "and if Christians, as I know you to be, you will be welcomed as brethren, for so every one is received who comes in that character to his door."

Already the shadows of the mountains were extending over the valley.

They drew near a villa of elegant form, although not of costly materials; and Jovinian observed Severus walking to and fro on the terrace before the entrance. Throwing himself from his horse, Jovinian advanced towards his friend, who immediately recognised him, although he had grown into manhood since their separation.

Hurrying forward, Severus embraced him warmly. "We did not doubt your faithfulness, but we feared some accident had happened to you, since no letter has reached us for a year or more," said Severus. "You will rejoice the hearts of my wife and child, who have been most anxious about you."

Jovinian was soon in the presence of Eugenia and Julia--the latter blushing as she received his affectionate greeting.

"I have never had cause to regret coming here instead of remaining at Rome," said Severus. "Although I hold that we are bound to bravely fight the good fight of faith against the world, the flesh, and the devil--being in the world, yet not of it--I should have proved of far less benefit to my fellow-creatures in Rome than, by G.o.d's grace, I have been able to be here by faithfully preaching the pure Gospel, instructing the children, and advancing at the same time the temporal interests of the community. I have not confined myself to this valley alone, but have visited many others surrounding it. It is with grat.i.tude to our Heavenly Father I am able to say that not a heathen temple remains within them, and that the people have mostly, if not altogether, abandoned all their idolatrous practices and superst.i.tions; but still there is much work to be done, as there ever will be while the prince of this world has power over the children of men; and to that work, I trust, my beloved son, you will, from henceforth, devote yourself." Such was Jovinian's earnest desire.

It was with no small pleasure that he again met Eros, who greeted him with warm affection. The once ignorant slave had become the trusted overseer of Severus' property, and at the same time an active promoter of the truth. There were two other persons of whom Jovinian wished to hear--Marcia and Coelia.

"They are both happily married, and are mothers. Marcia resides at the further end of this valley, and Coelia in the one beyond, where their husbands, greatly aided by them, minister to the spiritual wants of their neighbours," was the answer.

Jovinian, who visited them, could scarcely recognise in the cheerful smiling matrons the once unhappy vestals.

Before long Jovinian became the husband of Julia; and he found in her an active helpmate in all his efforts for the good of the people among whom they had cast their lot.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

JOVINIAN REVISITS HIS NATIVE CITY.

Years pa.s.sed by; Jovinian became a deacon and presbyter of the Church of the valleys, and, in conjunction with other faithful men, was the means of extending the blessings of the Gospel among the inhabitants of even the most remote districts. No sound of the tumults which agitated the larger portion of the western empire penetrated to these remote valleys.

The news which came from Rome was unsatisfactory. Revolts and cruel warfare had occurred in various directions. Magnentius had a.s.sumed the imperial purple. The tide of war had extended westward, in the very neighbourhood of the valleys of the Cottian Alps. A battle had been fought, when, the usurper being defeated, Constantius became sole master of the Roman empire. In the council held at Milan he obtained the banishment of Athanasius of Alexandria, a bishop highly respected for his orthodoxy; and Arianism was once more in the ascendency.

Christianity, by the accounts received, appeared to be spreading at Rome, but so corrupted by idolatry that in many respects it could scarcely be distinguished from the old faith. At length Julian became master of the Roman empire, and, for a short time, the heathen system was declared to be the religion of the state.

Many at Rome, and elsewhere, who had been supposed Christians, now openly resumed their idolatrous practices, proving the real character of their faith.

By the death of Julian--who was shortly after succeeded by Valentinian-- Christianity once more obtained the support of a sovereign.

For many years Jovinian and Julia enjoyed uninterrupted happiness, and were blessed with a numerous family.

At length Severus and Eugenia, both advanced in years, were taken from them, their places being well filled by their daughter and her husband.

Although contented with his lot, and knowing that he was of use in the position he filled, Jovinian had for long desired to re-visit Rome, and ascertain for himself the state of affairs in regard to the Church in that city. He hoped that he should find some faithful men with whom he could hold brotherly intercourse, and that he might return to the home of his adoption with fresh strength and knowledge. He had now a son who would be able to perform the duties he had taken upon himself; and Julia so ably ruled his household that he could leave his home for a period without detriment. Although she naturally felt some anxiety at the thoughts of his performing so long a journey, she did not attempt to alter his resolution, believing that he would thereby benefit those he was about to visit, and gain for himself spiritual strength.

Instead of travelling by land--the fatigues of which he was less able to endure than he had been on his former journey northward--he decided on proceeding to the nearest port at which he could embark. Even then he had many fatigues to endure, a mountainous region to traverse, and torrents to pa.s.s over. Under the providence of G.o.d, however, the port was reached in safety. He found a vessel on the point of sailing for Ostia, and, after a rapid pa.s.sage, he landed at that town.

He had reason to mourn the changes he everywhere witnessed. The former bishop had long been dead, and his successor seemed bent on gaining proselytes by every possible means.

There were several new Christian churches; but as Jovinian entered them he saw people prostrating themselves before figures closely resembling the heathen G.o.ds. A few persons seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the state of things; but in the whole place he found n.o.body to whom he could speak openly as to a brother.

His stay, therefore, was short; and engaging a vehicle, he hastened on to Rome, by the same road he had taken when compelled to return by his uncle Gaius. On approaching the sanctuary of Mars, the driver, who professed to be a Christian, informed him that it had been taken possession of by a body of holy recluses. On getting near the gate, a man was seen rushing with frantic speed, a sword dripping gore in his hand, as if he were flying from the avengers of blood. As the murderer neared the gate, it was thrown open; and springing in, he was received by several men in long coa.r.s.e garments, and at once the door was closed.

When the officers of the law arrived, they were refused admission. "We claim the ancient privileges of the place," cried the monks. The officers, not venturing to dispute the point, returned to the city.