"A word, a
name!" he sneered. "What is that, O most wise man and holy Presbyter?
A thing of air, a thing that men make to describe their own dreams and
fancies. Who would go about to rob any one of such a thing as that? It
is a prize that only a fool would think of taking. Besides, the young
man parted with it of his own free will. He bargained with me cleverly.
I promised him wealth and pleasure and fame. What did he give in return?
An empty name, which was a burden--"

"Servant of demons, be still!" The voice of John rang clear, like a
trumpet, through the hall. "There is a name which none shall dare to
take in vain. There is a name which none can lose without being lost.
There is a name at which the devils tremble. Go quickly, before I speak
it!"

Marcion shrank into the shadow of one of the pillars. A lamp near him
tottered on its pedestal and fell with a crash. In the confusion he
vanished, as noiselessly as a shade.

John turned to Hermas, and his tone softened as he said: "My son, you
have sinned deeper than you know. The word with which you parted so
lightly is the keyword of all life. Without it the world has no meaning,
existence no peace, death no refuge. It is the word that purifies
love, and comforts grief, and keeps hope alive forever. It is the most
precious word that ever ear has heard, or mind has known, or heart has
conceived. It is the name of Him who has given us life and breath and
all things richly to enjoy; the name of Him who, though we may forget
Him, never forgets us; the name of Him who pities us as you pity your
suffering child; the name of Him who, though we wander far from Him,
seeks us in the wilderness, and sent His Son, even as His Son has sent
me this night, to breathe again that forgotten name in the heart that is
perishing without it. Listen, my son, listen with all your soul to the
blessed name of God our Father."

The cold agony in the breast of Hermas dissolved like a fragment of ice
that melts in the summer sea. A sense of sweet release spread through
him from head to foot. The lost was found. The dew of peace fell on his
parched soul, and the withering flower of human love raised its head
again. He stood upright, and lifted his hands high toward heaven.

"Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord! O my God, be merciful
to me, for my soul trusteth in Thee. My God, Thou hast given; take not
Thy gift away from me, O my God! Spare the life of this my child, O Thou
God, m