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fflallarr’a Sph Sur By FLORENCE MILLER OW when Jesus was lx rn in Betlielem of Juda a in tin days of Herod, the King. hehold tliere came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying. 'Where is He that is lx rn King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him’.— Matthew 2: 1-2. Such is the text from which (ieneral Wallace com|iosed the first lxx»k of his masterpiece Ben llur. His intention, at the tieginning. was to write a short serial fora magazine hut for certain reasons this idea was abandoned and. Instead of ending with the birth of the Saviour, the narrative was expanded to comprise his whole life, from Bethlehem to Calvary. It is not known what led General Wallace to write the book nor why he list'd the life of Christ in a work of fiction; but lie himself states that he “had reached an age in life when men usually begin to study themselves with reference to their fellow-men”. He had never read the Bible, and although not an infidel, was inditTerent in matters of religion, lie resolved to make a thorough study of the Bible, and it was in his preparation for Ben llur that he was converted. Book One deals with the meeting of the three wise men on the desert of Arabia. Having had divine summons. they had come from their homes in the east to find the Christ Child. While pursuing their course across the desert, the star which had thus far led them on their journey, suddenly disappeared and they entered Jerusalem to inquire after the Child. Herod, linking. advised them to search in Bethlehem and. as they departed toward that village, the star immediately reappeared. It guided them until they reached the cave where they found the child lying in a manger. Twenty-one years passed after the meeting of the wise men when Valerius Grains entered Jerusalem as Procurator. Ben llur. a Jewish lad of seventeen. in a conversation with his Homan friend. Messala. was stirred by the desire to accomplish great works for his people. He resolved to become a soldier and his mother, a lovely, strong-minded woman, consented. When the new Procurator entered Jerusalem Ben llur was attracted by the music and ran to the edge of the roof to see the ruler. In his eagerness he loosened a tile from the edge of the roof and it fell ti|x n G rat us. throwing him from his horse. A riot ensued and at the instigation of Messala, the Homans entered the Inuise. drove out the servants, and t«»ok Ben llur’s mother and sister prisoners. Ben llur himself was taken to Is a galley slave. While on the way t « Home he and his guards itassed through Nazareth where a lad gave Ben llur a drink of water from a nearby spring. Ben llur looker! into the face of the lad. a face shaded by looks of chestnut hair, a face full of holy purpose. Thus Ben llur first met the son of Mary. After three years of ceaseless toil at the galleys. Ben llur was adopted by Quintus Arrius. whose life he had saver I in a battle with pirates. Soon Ar-rius died, leaving Ids adopted son a vast fortune, and Ben llur. on the way to Antioch, heard of a rich merchant. Simonides, who hail lieen a servant of Ben llur’s father. Ben llur called on Simonides who would not lielieve his story but sent spies to watch Ben llur to see if he were worthy of his father’s name and fortune. Malluch, the spy, followed Ben llur to the (J rove of Daph-ne where Ben llur was attracted by the driver of a chariot, lie was,a Homan. handsomely proportioned but with a haughty cynical face. Ben llur knew him at a glance: he was Messala. All Ben Hur’sold hatred sprang to life. He resolved to revenge himself. Ben llur heard of a chariot race that was to take place in six days: he knew that Messala was a contestant, and he knew that Sheik Ilderini had four splendid Arabs which he would In willing to enter into the contest. Ben llur went to the Sheik’s tent and was promised the Aral . It was here that he met Balthasar, one of the wise men. and he heard the wonderful story of the Christ-child. Balthasar maintained that the King Would rule the spirit-world but Ben llur resolved to spend his time and fortune in raising an army to help Him win ill Kingdom. Simonides had satisfied himself as to Ben llur’s true worth and lie offered his fortune to him. Ben llur refused to accept it. lie also refused to accept the servitude of Simonides and his daughter Ksther. At last the day of the race arrived. The circus was crowded. Simonides, hist her. Sheik llderim. and Iras, daughter of Balthasar, were present and wore Ben llur’s color. When the charioteers ap| eared there were cries of ••Messala! Messala!” “Ben llur! Ben llur! The first round was made with Messala at the head. During the second round Ben llur overtook the Homan, who. rising in his chariot gave Ben llur’s horses such a cut as they had never lie fore felt. The people were indignant. the frightened horses dashed forward, but Ben llur had them under complete control lie fore the next round was run. The sixth round was made without change of position until Ben llur fell a little behind Messala. The Homan was exultant and was drawing in his horses for the final turn when Ben llur. making a dash forward, caught his wheel in that of Messala and the latter’s car fell to the ground. In the fall M« ssala was injured and. as he had 15
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staked his fortune on tlie race, Ben Hur's vengeance was complete. He dashed on and reached the goal. The race was won! Ben Hur immediately left for Jerusalem where he sought vainly for his mother and Tirzah. When a new ruler had entered Jerusalem the women had lieen found in a secret cell of Antonio Tower hut they were lepers: their lips and entire skin were parched and dry while the hair of both hud turned white. Thus when Ben Ilur sought them in Jerusalem, they were occupying the tomliK of the lepers outside the city-gates. Three years Ben Hur spent in raising an army for Christ who had ajs peared in Jerusalem immediately after Ben Hur's arrival there. One day as Christ with his followers, among whom was Ben Ilur. entered the city they were surprised by a cry from two lepers standing by the roadside. The crowd would have stoned them hut Christ, heeding their appeal, approached them and tinding them of great faith, healed them. Ben Ilur saw the miracle and after a prick glance at the women he sprang forward crying: “Mother! Tirzah!” Thus the family of I!urs was reunited and Ben Hur followed Christ more closely than liefore. Balthasar and Simonides had come to Jerusalem and were occupying the old palace of the llurs. One evening as Ben Ilur passed through the gate lie was attracted by a crowd of priests and soldiers, in the midst of whom he lie-held Judas, one of the chosen disciples. Ben Hur followed the crowd to a large garden where he liehold the Nazarcno l»etrayed by Judas into the hands of the soldiers. The trial occurred that night and on the day following Ben Hur tried to gather his army to force Christ's release. The army had deserted him and it was with a sorrow ful heart that he followed Balthasar. Simonides and Ksther to Calvary. The party halted liefore ;i low hill. Surrounding the hill, on all sides, were faces, three million faces. On the summit of the idll stoed the Nazar-ene, pale and silent. Ben Hur gazed at the suffering features. He knew that I all this could be cl tanged by a breath: yet that breath was withheld. And standing thus gazing at the spirit face. Ben Ilur was tilled with a profound peace, he seemed to hear the words of the Nazarene: I ant the resurrection and the life.” The crosses were raised with their human burdens: suddenly a hush fell upon the people as they heard that divine exclamation: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” It grew dark as night, still there were mookings and jeerings. One of the thieves turned to the Saviour saying: “Lord. remember me when Thou contest into Thy kingdom.” Simonides started: immediately his vision cleared. He comprehended that this Kingdom was not of the earth. Then as in a dream, he heard the answer: “Verily. I say unto thee, today halt thou Ik with me in Paradise.” The Nazarene’s sighs Itccume great gasps, his fare lighted as he exclaimed: It is finished! It is finished!” Then a few seconds later: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” Thus the end came. Ben Hur looked at his companions: Balthasar was prostrate and still. Ben Ilur called. No answer came. The good man’s spirit bad accompanied his master’s into Paradise. Five years pass and we find Ben Ilur the head of a happy family. He has married Esther, daughter of Simonides, and has lieen more than ever prosperous in his ventures. He wished to devote his fortune to the Cliristian cause and at the suggestion of Simonides he built the San ('aiiocto Catacomb. the refuge for Christian Martyrs. General Wallace displays great powers of expression. He holds the attention of the reader to the close ami his description of the cross has proliably never lieen excelled. Is it any wonder that lie was converted while writing the lnM»kV t;
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