"Son of darkness," he continued, "look upon the son of light! The faith of Mizraim or the wisdom of Hillel could show you no more.

Do you see the new light shining within this lovely veil of flesh?
Look, and you shall know the fashion of his countenance, and that his hand shall make no wound." The priest rose, and, lifting the child in his arms, went away, saying, "His peace be with you." The young Roman stood looking at the sweet face that lay on the shoulder of him departing.

The great hope of Judea had entered his heart--the hope of a just king to rule the nations and point the way to eternal life.
On his return he bought a statue representing a beautiful young boy.
He set it up in his chamber, and, kneeling, prayed to it as the one God who forbade killing and theft and every evil practice of men.

He prayed for understanding; he prayed, also, that he might see her he loved.

But this new God seemed as deaf to his entreaty as had been those of the pagan temples.