Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker Discourse volume 1.djvu/143

96 He fears no evil, God is his armour against fate. He rejoices in his trials, and Jeremiah sings psalms in his dungeon, and Daniel prays three times a day with his window up, that all may hear, and Nebuchadnezzar cast him to the lions if he will; Luther will go to the Diet at Worms, if it rain enemies for nine days running; “though the Devils be thick as the tiles on the roof.” Martyred Stephen sees God in the clouds. The victim at the stake glories in the fire he lights, which shall shine all England through. Yes, Paul, an old man forsaken of his friends, tried by many perils, daily expecting an awful death, sits comforted in his dungeon. The Lord stands by and says, Fear not, Paul, Lo, I am with thee to the world's end. The tranquil saint can say, I know whom I have served. I have not the spirit of fear, but joy. I am ready to be sacrificed. Such trials prove the Soul as Gold is proved. The dross perishes in the fire; but the virgin metal—it comes brighter from the flame. What is it for such a man to be scourged, forsaken, his name a proverb, counted as the offscouring of the world? There is that in him which looks down millions. Cast out, he is not in dismay; forsaken, never less alone. Slowly and soft the Soul of Faith comes into the man. He knows that he is seen by the pure and terrible eyes of Infinity. He feels the sympathy of the Soul of All, and says, with modest triumph, I am not alone, for Thou art with me. Mortal affections may cease their melody; but the Infinite speaks to his soul comfort too deep for words, and too divine. What if he have not the Sun of human affection to cheer him? The awful faces of the stars look from the serene depths of divine Love, and seem to say, “Well done.” What if the sweet music of human sympathy vanish before the discordant curse of his brother man? The melody of the spheres—so sweet we heed it not when tried less sorely—rolls in upon the soul its tranquil tide, and that same Word, which was in the beginning, says, “Thou art my beloved Son, and in thee am I well pleased.” Earth is overcome, and Heaven won.

It is well for mankind that God now and then raises up a hero of the soul; exposes him to grim trials in the forefront of the battle; sustains him there, that we may know what nobility is in Man, and how near him God; to