“Anyone who’d pay more than fifty bucks for this thing needs to have their head examined,” Stromberger huffed. She weaved her way to the counter, ordered her sundae, and returned. “Here’s the first article,” she said, pulling a folded piece of paper from inside her coat. It was from the Crimson and dated September 18, 1969.
BURGLAR SLIPS AS HE TRIES TO REMOVE GUTENBERG BIBLE FROM WIDENER LIBRARY
A daring burglar came within inches of successfully stealing Harvard’s Gutenberg Bible from its resting place in Widener Library on August 19.
He succeeded in foiling the library’s alarm system, and removing the Bible from its plastic display case, but appears to have slipped when he attempted to climb down a rope hanging out of a library window. He fell some 40 feet to the ground outside.
The burglary suspect, identified as Vido K. Aras, 20, of Dorchester was found unconscious outside the library in the morning with the two volumes of the Bible in a backpack beside him.
Aras is currently in Cambridge City Hospital suffering from skull fractures. He has been charged with breaking and entering and possession of burglary tools. In an interrogation by police, he is reported to have said that “somebody is going to take the rap besides me.”
Harvard’s copy is one of 47 known Gutenberg Bibles known to be in existence. The book was printed about 1455 by Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of movable type. For insurance purposes, the Bible is valued at $1 million but it is almost irreplaceable. The bindings of the book, which are not original, were damaged in the fall, but the pages are still in good condition.
Police believe that the suspect hid in the library until after closing time on August 19, then went on the roof, climbed down the rope to a window and broke into the Widener Room where the Bible is kept. He then removed the Bible from the display case and was attempting to climb further down the rope to the ground outside when he fell.
“It looks like a professional job all right, in the fact that he came down the rope,” University Police Chief Robert Tonis said, “but it doesn’t look very professional that he fell off.”
The Bible had been given to Harvard in 1944 by the family of Harry Elkins Widener ’07, who died in the 1912 sinking of the Titanic. Widener had been a rare book collector: his family donated his entire collection to the University, along with part of the money needed to build the library which now bears his name.
The attempt to steal the Bible is expected to spur work on new security measures, which had already been under consideration.
Another article in the Boston Traveler reported on a New York ring of book thieves who had been hitting major libraries along the East Coast, including Widener and its extensive rare book collection. Some observant book buyers noticed traces of library markings on some of the title pages of the stolen books and alerted police.
Stromberger returned with our sundaes, trying not to spill them as she worked her way through the crowd. “So, what do you think?” she said, shoveling a mound of ice cream into her mouth.
“Interesting, but they don’t say anything about the specific book I’m researching,” I said.
“No, but I figured you could use these articles as a base and branch out from there. If there were two cases of book thefts, no doubt there were others.”
30
I WASN’T THRILLED to be awakened early Sunday morning by the irritating sound of a squirrel scratching against the exterior screen of my bedroom window. I threw one of my pillows to make him go away, but he was back at it a few minutes later. So, there I was lying awake at seven o’clock on the only day I could sleep in late, staring up at the ceiling while a damn squirrel begged me for food. My thoughts turned to our trip to Newport the other night and the two surprises that awaited us.
I still couldn’t figure out the meaning of the religious passages. Did they reveal the secret the Ancient Nine had vowed to protect? I reached over to my nightstand and read for the hundredth time the passage inscribed on Abbott’s urn.
* * *
I will breake of my ſinnes by vntained repentance and turne vnto the Lord whom I haue offended, aſſuring my ſelfe that his mercies are infinite, and therefore he is redie to forgiue, and the merites of Chriſt a full ſatisfaction for all my ſinnes though many and hainous, and therefore in him I may bouldly challenge forgiueneſſe as a thing of right appertayning to me.
* * *
I picked up the phone and called the operator and asked her to connect me to the office of Professor Charles Davenport. It was early, but a lot of old people started their day at the crack of dawn. The phone rang eight times before he picked up.
“Davenport,” he said, out of breath.
“Sorry to bother you, Professor,” I said. “It’s Spenser Collins. I’m the undergrad who showed you that religious passage last week.”
“Yes, Mr. Collins, I was wondering what happened to you,” he said. “How are you making out?”
“I haven’t gotten too far, but I’m working on it. I think I might’ve found another passage that’s somehow connected to the first.”
“Is that so? Where did you find it?”
“Engraved on an artifact.”
“And what type of artifact was this?”
“Something like a silver bowl.”
“That’s peculiar,” he said. “Do you have the bowl with you?”
“No, but I copied down the engraved words. I was hoping you might look at it and tell me what you think.”
“What makes you think the two passages are related?”
“The language is almost identical, and the words are spelled in a similar style with old letters.”
“Interesting,” he said. “Maybe you should bring the passage by so that I might examine it more closely. I’ll be in my office until four, then I have to go out for an appointment.”
“I’ll come right away,” I said, jumping out of bed and hanging up the phone. I quickly threw on a pair of sweats and ran out the door.
* * *
“YOU REALLY HAVE no idea what you’re looking at?” Professor Davenport said, removing the magnifying glass from his wrinkled face and resting the passage on his crowded desk. His words seemed innocent enough, but his tone was accusatory.
“It definitely seems related to the other passage I showed you, but otherwise I’m at a loss.”
Davenport returned his heavy rectangular glasses to his face. “You’re gaming me, Mr. Collins.”
“No, I’m not, sir,” I said. “That’s all I know. I swear it is. That’s why I’ve come to you for help.”
Davenport eyed me for some time, then stood with the help of his cane and shuffled over to one of his bookcases. After emptying nearly an entire row, he found a folder and brought it back to the desk. He opened the folder and handed me two sheets of paper.
“Read these carefully,” he said. “Slowly. Absorb the meaning, then tell me what you think.”
I took the first sheet and studied the text. The words and spellings were identical to those contained in the passages Dalton and I had found. The tone was also similar, strong and determined, even militant at times. I could feel Davenport watching me, so I read each line twice before moving on to the next.
* * *
Of the meanes whereby we may be preſerued &c. 545
my conſience, & therefore farre bee it frō me to load it with a farre more vnſupportable burthen I haue already too much diſhonoured my good God by my horrible ſinnes, and herefore I will in no caſe more diſhonour him, now then in committing all my other ſinnes, by denying his mercie, iuſice, truth, and euen the godhead itſelf; for what were this but being already in a burning feauer to caſt myſelfe into the fire, or being gone ouer the ſhooes in the filthie puddle of ſinne to plunge my ſelfe ouer head and eares, and euen to drowne my ſelfe in the bottomeleſſe gulfe of deſperation? Nay rather now I will breake of my ſinnes by vntained repentance and turne vnto the Lord whom I have offeded, aſſuring my ſelfe that his mercies are infinite, and therefore he is re
adie to forgiue, and the merites of Chriſt a full ſatisfaction:for all my ſinnes though many and hainous, and therefore in him I may bouldly challenge forgiuneſſe as a thing of right appertayning to me.
And thus are wee to reſiſt Sathans tentations and though wee be often foyled yet to riſiſt againe, in no caſe ſuffring him to plucke out our hand the ſhield of faith, though he hath diſarmed vs of the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe;for if once we be depriued of this part of this ſpiritual armour wee ſhall lie open to all his blowes and thruſts, vntil wee be wounded to the very death.
But most lamentable it is to ſee the greeuous miſerie
Of poore humbled ſinners wherinto they are brought through the violence of Sathans tentations; for howſoeuer feeling the heauie waight of their other ſinnes they earneſtly deſire to be freed frō thē, howſoeuer being tormented with greeuous ſmart of their other wickedneſſe they hate and abhorre it, yet they eaſily ſuffer themſelues to bee plunged into deſperation with euery friuoulous tentation; and quietly offer their hands to be manacled, and bound in theſe giues of hell withoue reſiſtance. But let all ſuch ſtiree vp themſelues, and gather their oppreſſed ſpirites together, ſaying to their owne conſiences I hate and deteſt from my heart my former wickedneſſe, and ſhall I now entertaine a ſinne more horrible than all the reſt;
the
* * *
It didn’t take long before I realized why he had wanted me to read that page. I continued reading the rest of the words, then looked up when I was finished. “Does this page come from The Christian Warfare by John Downame?” I asked.
“Exactly,” he said, seeming pleased that I was catching on. “Have you had a chance to look at it?”
“No, I’ve been waiting for an appointment with one of the reference librarians. The passage I found on the bowl matches the text in this first paragraph.”
“What kind of bowl is it?” he asked.
“Silver.”
“And how did you come across it?”
I was prepared for that question. “It was the craziest coincidence,” I said. “I just happened to be flipping through an old book, looking for clues to the first passage, and noticed it in one of the pictures.”
“Do you have that book?”
“No, it was in a friend’s room. Maybe I can get it if he hasn’t returned it to the library yet.”
“That might be rather helpful,” Davenport said. “So, what are your interpretations of that first page?”
I was reluctant to answer out of fear of making a fool of myself. One of the world’s greatest religious scholars was asking me my interpretation of something that I was sure he himself had spent many years analyzing.
“It sounds like the person has realized his sins and wants forgiveness for what he’s done,” I said. I skimmed over the passage for a second time. “We must keep faith in the goodness and will of God and resist the temptations of Satan, who strives to exploit our weaknesses and cause us to sin.”
“That is a good literal interpretation,” Davenport said, nodding slowly. “But what might it mean in the abstract?”
I shrugged. I didn’t say something foolish.
“What do you know about King James I?” he finally asked.
“Not much,” I said. “I know there’s a version of the Bible named after him.”
“That’s a start,” he said. “King James I was not very popular but still a powerful king in the mid-sixteenth to early-seventeenth century. He was the only son of Mary Queen of Scots and her second husband, Lord Darnley. Following an uprising, his mother was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her son, James, who was crowned the King of Scotland at just thirteen months of age. When he turned thirty-six, his cousin, the first Queen Elizabeth of England, died, and he inherited her throne, becoming the ruler of two kingdoms. He was quite a controversial and at times vulgar man. He lived to be almost sixty, a great accomplishment in those disease- and war-ravaged times.”
“But what does King James I have to do with these pages?”
“Go ahead and read the second page,” he said.
* * *
546 Of the meanes whereby we may be preſerued &c.
the burthen of my other ſinnes oppreſſe me and make me earneſtly to deſire eaſe, and ſhall I adde a loade farre more intollerable to my afflicted conſience? I am filled with ſhame and confuiſion becauſe by my former ſinnes. I have dishonoured my gratious God and that I continue more to dishonour him by doubting of and denying his mercy, iuſtice, and truth in his promiſes? I have heretofore with Iudas betrayed my Saviour Chriſt vtno the death, yea and with my ſinnes I have whipped, mocked, and crucified him, and now hee hauing made full ſatisfaction for my ſinnes, and called me vnto him that he may eaſe me of this intollerable burthen, ſhould I wish Iudas refuſe to come deſperately caſt of al hope of mercie and become mine owne hangman? be it farre from mee, nay as I hate all other ſinners ſo let me hate this aboue all the reſt, in being more hainous then al the reſt; as I deſire to be eaſed and freed from the heavie burthen of other my wicked-neſſ, ſo I will with all my power reſiſt Sathan when he ſeeketh to loade me with this loade of deſperation and being farre more intolerable, heretofore I haue dishonoured God by my ſins, but now I will giue him gloerie in belieuing and acknowledge ing his infinite mercie, goodneſſe, iuſtice, and truth in his promiſes, and ſeeing by my ſinnes I have crucified the Lorde of life, I will not ad herevnto this outragious wickedneſſe, to trāple his precious blood vnder my filthe feete as a thing vnholy and of no worth, neither will I through my vnbeliefe make it to be ſpilt in vaine; but now with all care and conſience I will gather it vp as a moſt precious balme, and with the hand of faith apply it to thoſe greiſly gaſhes, and deepe woundes which ſinne hath made in my ſoule and conſience, and with this ſpiritual laver I will waſhe my polluted ſoule till it bee thoroughly purged from all vncleaneſſe. And ſeeing I haue depriued my ſoule of that inherent righteouſneſſe wherewith it was inbued by creation, now I will apply thereunto a farre more excellent righteouſneſſe by the hand of faith, euen the righteouſneſſe of Ieſus Chriſt God and man, wherewith being adorned I may boldly offer my ſelfe into the preſence of my heauēly father & receiue the bleſſing of everlaſting happiness.
Laſtly
* * *
It wasn’t long before I recognized the passage that I had brought to him last week, the Ancient Nine’s creed.
“I don’t understand,” I said. “The last time we spoke, you said that people have been looking for those two missing pages for centuries, and that there were only a few copies of the first edition still in existence. But you have copies of the pages right here.”
“Part of your education here, Mr. Collins, is to ask the right questions,” he said. “But an even bigger part is to undertake the rigorous chores of scholarship to try to find some of those answers yourself. You seem to be an ambitious young man. Use that ambition to stimulate and satisfy your intellectual curiosity. These pages are copies made from microfilm, not the actual book. In other words, these are copies of copies. Anyone can get access to this information on microfilm, but no one has been able to find the original pages missing from the first edition in Houghton. Scholars have been trying to learn the fate of those pages for decades.” He opened the folder and pulled out another sheet of paper and handed it to me. “Read this.”
RLG’s Eureka(R)—FIND Title christian warfare AND Imprint Year 1604
Author: Downame, John, d. 1652.
Title: The Christian warfare. Wherein is first generally shewed the malice, power and politike stratagems of the spirituall enemies of our saluation, Sathan and his assistants the world and the flesh; with the meanes also whereby the Christian may withstand and defeate them. And afterwards more speciallie their particular temptations, against the severall causes and meanes of our salvation, whereby on the one side they allure vs to security and presumption, and on the other side, draw vs to doubting and desperation, are express
ed and answered. Written especially for their sakes who are exercised in the spirituall conflict of temptations, and are afflicted in conscience in the sight and sense of their sinnes. By I. Downame preacher of Gods word.
Published: At London: imprinted by Felix Kyngston, for Cuthbert Burby, and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Swan, 1604.
Physical Details: [24], 272, 271–366, 371–676, [2] p. 4°. Notes: With final errata leaf.
Signatures: [par.]4 A-2V8 2X2.
Signatures from DFo.
References: STC (2nd ed.), 7133.
Notes: Microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. University Microfilms
International, 1982. 1 microfilm reel; 35 mm. (Early
English books, 1475–1640; 1709:2). L.
Other Titles: Christian warfare.
Subjects: Puritans—Doctrines—Early works to 1800.
Christian life—Early works to 1800.
Location: British Library, London, England
Shelfmark: [Shelfmark not available]
Note: -A2–3
Location: Aberdeen University Library, Aberdeen, Scotland
Shelfmark: [Unverified]
Note: [Catalog match]
Location: Belfast Central Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Shelfmark: [Unverified]
Location: Belfast Central Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Shelfmark: [Shelfmark not available]
Note: [Contributor match]
Location: Oxford University Bodleian Library (includes The Vicar’s Library, St. Mary’s Church, Marlborough), Oxford, England
Shelfmark: [Unverified]
Note: [Catalog match]
Location: York Minster Library, York, England
Shelfmark: XV.I.15
Note: tp. damaged, -4p.l.
Location: Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, District of Columbia
Shelfmark: STC 7133
The Ancient Nine Page 30
