IBSEN: " PEER GYNT " THE IGNOMINY OF HALF-HEARTEDNESS "And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that Way, he deferred them." "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." ACTS XXIV. 22, 25. HE HISTORIAN of the Acts of the TH Apostles has devoted much space in his carefully edited records to the portrayal of the complex character of Felix, the Roman Governor at Cæsarea. In doing so he has presented an extraordinarily vivid picture of the spirit of compromise and irresolute wavering by which so many ills have fallen upon our race, and from which few minds are wholly free. It is a most subtle and penetrating description of the soul which refuses to take a stand, of the hesitancy and restlessness which possess the heart without a supreme and abiding loyalty. We are the more impressed by this picture of a shifting indeterminate character because, in the narrative, it is placed side by side with that of one of the world's most heroic figures. The life of St. Paul was one of whole-hearted committal to a cause. As we look at the scene the parts shift-the judge becomes a prisoner-while the prisoner stands out in splendid freedom. The meeting between Paul and Felix was brought about through a false charge of sedition made against the apostle. Felix saw that there was no case against the accused, but instead of acting as justice dictated he began to temporize: "He deferred them." The verdict was held in suspense. "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine the matter." But Lysias did not come down. Felix did not actually want Lysias to come down-a word from the Governor would have been sufficient summons to the chief captain. What Felix wanted was to avoid decision. He would please both sides if possible, without committing himself to either. A few days after the trial, Felix came with Drusilla, and, thinking to spend an interesting hour, heard Paul concerning the new faith, which was attracting much attention at that time. There was no attempt made by Paul that day to equivocate. He preached "of righteousness" to Felix, "of self-control" to Drusilla, and "of the judgment to come" to those whose constant desire was to evade the thought of that last tribunal. "And Felix was terrified." The chemist, in many of his experiments, must avail himself of the few moments when all the conditions are favourable, if he would secure the result. There are moments in our lives when the elements are favourable to a great decision. Such an hour, by the grace of God, came to Felix when a door was opened by which fears long banished entered his heart afresh. He was compelled to face realities and challenged to decision by a voice which rang like the blast of a trumpet through the defiled corridors and chambers of his life. But Felix will not go straight. He commences again to hedge; he is determined to be undetermined. "Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I have a convenient season I will call for thee." He thinks that he has not chosen, but, actually, his refusal to choose became a kind of choice having grave consequences of its own. A man might as well |