"For what have we been called together at this time, knowest thou?" asked a man of his neighbor in the crowd assembled before the synagogue of the Nazarenes. "Seeing that this is not the prescribed day for worship."
"'Tis that we may consider the matter of which the Grecians have been murmuring of late," replied the other. "Their widows, say they, are neglected in the daily ministrations."
"Not more than the widows of our own blood; the fault lieth with the young men to whom of late the apostles have been forced to give a part of the work. But see, the doors are opened."
The twain, together with the rest of the quiet and orderly multitude, passed into the porch, where each person paused for an instant to dip his hands into the brazen2 urn3 of water which stood without the door; this constituting the ceremonial washing of hands required before entering into the sacred enclosure.
The scene within did not differ materially from that which might have been seen in any other of the four hundred and eighty synagogues of Jerusalem. Against the wall opposite the entrance, beneath a canopy4 of purple cloth, stood the wooden chest or ark, containing the scrolls5 of the law. Above this ark burned the perpetual light, token of the visible glory of the Lord as it was revealed in that first temple which their forefathers6 had reared in the wilderness7. This sacred light was a three-fold symbol, for it also served to remind the worshipper of the human soul, which is the breath of God; as it is written, "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord." And of the divine law--"For thy commandment is a lamp; and thy law is light."
Here also facing the congregation was the desk from which the ruler of the synagogue was wont8 to preside over the worship; and at one side, elevated upon a raised platform, twelve wooden seats were provided for the twelve apostles--the visible heads of the Church; it being the custom in all synagogues to thus elevate above the common rank those who were considered the most enlightened. In these, as in all other respects, did the disciples9 walk orderly as after the law; being yet minded, despite the warning of the Master, to put the strong new wine of the Kingdom into the ancient bottles of Judaism.
On this day, after that the congregation had seated themselves in due order--the men upon one side of the room, the women and children upon the other, separated by a low wooden partition--the service was begun by the chanting of the sacrificial psalms10; after which the whole congregation arose and repeated as with one voice the benediction11 called "The Creator of Light."
"Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who createst light and formest darkness; who makest peace and createst all things. He in mercy causes the light to shine upon the earth and the inhabitants thereof, and in goodness renews every day the work of creation. Blessed art thou, the Creator of Light."
And also this--"the Great Love."
"With great love hast thou loved us, O Lord our God; thou hast shown us great and abundant mercy, O our Father and King, for the sake of our forefathers who trusted in thee! Thou who didst teach them the love of life; have mercy upon us and teach us also to praise thee, O Lord, who in love hast chosen thy people!"
Then did Matthias--who on this day had been chosen to lead the worship, and who like the rest of the congregation wore the fringed garment prescribed by law and the phylacteries upon his head and upon his left arm--arise, and cry aloud in the words of the ancient prayer which was called the Kadish; all the people joining heartily12 in the Amens.
"Exalted13 and hallowed be his great name in the world which he created according to his will; let his kingdom come in your lifetime, and in the lifetime of the whole house of Israel very speedily!"
"Amen!"
"Blessed be his great name, world without end."
"Amen!"
"Blessed and praised, celebrated14 and exalted, extolled15 and adorned16, magnified and worshipped, be thy holy name; blessed be he far above all benedictions17, hymns18, thanks, praises, and consolations19 which have been uttered in this world."
"Amen!"
"May the prayers and supplications of all Israel be graciously received before their Father in heaven."
"Amen."
"May perfect peace descend20 from heaven, and life, upon us and all Israel."
"Amen!"
"May he who makes peace in his heaven confer peace upon us and all Israel."
"Amen!"
Then followed the eighteen benedictions, of which the first sentence only was repeated in a loud voice by the leader, the rest being recited by the congregation in unison21. Save this prayer, which all repeated aloud and with a joyous22 tone of full expectation; for they knew him to whom they prayed. "To Jerusalem thy city in mercy return, and dwell in it according to thy promise; make it speedily in our day an everlasting23 building, and soon establish therein the throne of David. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who buildest Jerusalem." And so to the end, closing with the words, "Our Father, bless us all unitedly with the light of thy countenance24; for in the light of thy countenance didst thou give to us, O Lord our God, the law of life, loving kindness, justice, blessing25, compassion26, life, and peace. May it please thee to bless thy people Israel at all times, and in every moment with peace. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who blessest thy people Israel with peace!"
Then followed the reading from the scriptures27. Afterward28 Peter arose in his place and spoke29 to the people; he brought again to their remembrance the words of their risen Lord, 'how that they should continue to dwell together in all peace and love, forbearing one another and loving one another in expectation of that great day, perhaps nigh at hand, when he should return bringing his reward with him for them that had been faithful in all things.' He spoke also of the matter which had been troubling the minds of many during the days that were past.
"God knoweth, brethren," he said, "that we would not willingly neglect any, who by the grace of our Lord have joined themselves with us; least of all them who by reason of their affliction are dependent upon our bounty30. If any have been neglected it is because of the weakness of the flesh. The work hath waxed too great for us; for besides this duty of the daily distribution of bodily food to them that lack, there remaineth also the duty whereunto we were set apart by the Master himself--of preaching the good tidings of salvation31 from sin and from death unto all men. 'It is not reason that we should set aside the work of God to serve tables'--and it is manifest that we cannot longer do both--'wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry32 of the word.'"
And when he had finished speaking, Philip arose in his place.
"If I read aright your faces, my brothers," he said, looking around about upon the multitude, "this good saying hath pleased you all. Let us therefore choose, and that there may no longer be any thought of jealousy33 betwixt Jew and Greek--which thing also must be displeasing34 unto him, who according to his word, is at this time in our midst--let it come to pass that of the seven which we shall choose, three shall be Hebrews, three Greeks and one a proselyte. Then shall there be no longer need nor excuse that any should murmur1 concerning this matter of the dispensations."
And these sayings being approved of them which were assembled, one Aristarchus arose and presented the name of Stephen for the honorable office of deacon. "For he is," declared the speaker, "as is known unto you all, a man full of faith and of the Spirit."
And all the people cried with one voice: "Worthy35! He is worthy!"
Then did they in the same manner choose also Philip and Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas; and also, according to the word of Philip, Nicolas of Antioch, who was a convert to the Jewish faith. And these seven stood up before the apostles and before all the congregation of the people; and when the apostles had prayed they laid their hands upon them, in token that thus were they set apart unto the sacred duties of their calling.
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1
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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2
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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3
urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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4
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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5
scrolls
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| n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕 | |
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6
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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7
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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8
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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9
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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10
psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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11
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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12
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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13
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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14
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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15
extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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17
benedictions
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| n.祝福( benediction的名词复数 )；（礼拜结束时的）赐福祈祷；恩赐；（大写）（罗马天主教）祈求上帝赐福的仪式 | |
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18
hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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19
consolations
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| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
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20
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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21
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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22
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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23
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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24
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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25
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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26
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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27
scriptures
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| 经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典 | |
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28
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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29
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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30
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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31
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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32
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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33
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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34
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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35
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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