the grave? Is his established resurrection at Jerusalem the
climacteric proof for immortality? The problem is inescapable.
Every man is himself a judge; before every man the accumulated
evidence passes; for every man it is doomsday when he stands at the
point of decision.

In his sore perplexity Quintus says to himself that night, when he
has returned from his interview with the disciple John: "My soul is
like a traveler who halts at the point where two roads meet. Great
issues depend upon his choice. But while he hesitates may the
immortals, who watch over the destinies of men, guide his feet
aright."

Clearly defined are the alternatives before the Roman soldier. On
the one hand are his ancestral beliefs, long established and deeply
cherished by the nation. Nor does any man quickly toss aside the
faith of his fathers. If belief is waning in the primitive
mythologies, and if the social life of the Empire is moved by
unrest and despair, the problem is to find a greater satisfaction.
There have been spoken many beautiful words by the Roman scholars
which are sweet premonitions of immortality. Does not Quintus
remember that Cicero likens to heaven a port prepared, and prays
that he may sail thither with full-spread sails? And if the gifted
Cicero has just gone tragically out of life, let it be hoped that
he has reached the harbor.

But on the other hand are the challenging and captivating words of
Christ. Had he only spoken of the future life as an enthusiastic
Teacher, and then had passed to the perpetual slumber of the grave
like other philosophers of the time, he would be remembered long.