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 ARONIUS PILLA was so greatly startled at this marvelous manifestation that his whole body trembled like the leaves of an aspen-tree during a great storm.
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Joseph soon saw the great distress of Maronius, therefore went directly over to him and asked,
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'Maronius Pilla, why do you tremble so greatly? Has anyone done you harm?'
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Maronius answered Joseph, 'Oh man, you who do not have the likes of you on earth, for you it is easy - for you are a god whom all the elements must obey!
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But I am only a weak mortal subject to death, whose life as well as the existence of yonder pillar rests in your hand.
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With your thoughts you can destroy me as well as a whole world in an instant.
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So why should I not tremble before you who are surely the mightiest ancestral father of all our gods, if they really should happen to exist somewhere?
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Yonder pillar was already dedicated to Jupiter Stator since time immemorial. All storms and lightnings shuddered back before it in great awe.
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And now even your minor Child destroys it. Now if your Child can do such, what power must be based in you?
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So allow yourself to be worshiped by me a most unworthy worm of the earth!'
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Here Joseph said, 'Listen, friend and brother Maronius, you are greatly mistaken!
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I am no more than you, therefore only a mortal man. Now if you on your life can be silent before all the world, I will tell you something.
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But if you are not silent you will not fare much better than did yonder pillar.
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So then listen to me if you wish and if you can trust yourself.'
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But Maronius begged Joseph on his knees to tell him nothing whatever, for he might after all let something slip accidentally and then he would be lost.
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And Joseph said, 'Have no fear whatever of that, for the Lord of heaven and earth never chastises anyone for a mere accident.
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So you may listen to me quite without fear; what I shall tell you will not be your undoing, but will save you eternally.'
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At this Cyrenius, while worshiping the Child and still caressing Him upon his arms, went over to Joseph and said to him,
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'My best and dearest friend! Leave Maronius to me, and I will prepare him today myself while he is with me, and you can then give him the higher initiation tomorrow.'
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To this Joseph agreed and promptly returned to the house accompanied by the others.
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Backward