Walk in the Light While There Is Light (Tolstoy)
Short summary
Roman province of Cilicia, around 100 AD. Julius grew up in Tarsus as the son of a wealthy merchant. He studied philosophy alongside his friend Pamphilius. When Pamphilius left to join a Christian community, Julius felt drawn to follow but met a stranger who convinced him that Christianity led to barbarism and neglect of civic duties.
Julius married Eulampia and pursued wealth and public office. After ten years, he encountered Pamphilius again, now married with children and living simply among Christians. Though tempted by their peaceful life, Julius remained committed to his worldly responsibilities.
Years later, a chariot accident left Julius bedridden. Reading Christian texts, he decided to join the Christians with his wife, but a physician persuaded him to fulfill his duties to society first. Julius recovered and continued his public service for twenty more years. After his wife died and conflicts arose with his son, Julius finally abandoned everything and went to the Christian settlement.
In the community vineyard, Julius despaired at his wasted life, feeling too old to be useful. An elderly Christian found him weeping and consoled him:
Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you... Be not unhappy, my son. We are all the children of God and His servants.
Julius found peace and worked among the Christians for twenty more years until his death.
Detailed summary by chapters
Chapter titles are editorial.
Chapter 1. Julius meets Pamphilius and learns about Christian life
During the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan, a century after Christ's birth, a rich Syrian tradesman named Juvenal lived in Tarsus, Cilicia. He dealt in precious stones and had accumulated great wealth through hard work and skill. Though he held to the pagan faith of Rome, he harbored doubts about its truth, having witnessed the rise and fall of emperors and the senselessness of Roman life.
Juvenal had one surviving son, Julius, on whom he lavished all his affection. When Julius turned fifteen, his father entrusted his education to a philosopher, along with his friend Pamphilius, the son of a freed slave. The two boys were the same age, both handsome and studious, though Julius excelled in poetry and mathematics while Pamphilius preferred philosophy.
Before completing their studies, Pamphilius announced he must leave to accompany his widowed mother to Daphne. Despite entreaties from his teacher and Julius, he departed. Two years later, Julius encountered Pamphilius in the street and learned that his friend had become a Christian, living in a community where all things were held in common.
Chapter 2. Juliuss life of luxury and conflict with his father
Julius lived the typical life of wealthy young men, indulging in wine, gambling, and women. His pleasures demanded ever more money, and when he asked his father for additional funds, Juvenal gave it but with a rebuke. Julius, conscious of his guilt yet unwilling to admit fault, became angry and behaved rudely. Soon after, he and a companion killed a man in a drunken quarrel, though his father managed to secure his pardon.
Needing more money for his mistress and debts, Julius appealed to his mother, threatening suicide if refused. His mother went to his father, leading to a violent confrontation where Julius seized his father's arm when struck. Juvenal ordered his slaves to lock up his son. Julius's mother secretly gave him a precious stone to sell, but horrified by what she had done, Julius left home without taking it.
Wandering to a grove sacred to Diana, Julius examined his life and found it wicked and stupid. He realized no one loved him - not his parents, friends, or anyone else. Most horrifying, he discovered he loved no one in return, not even his parents. When he asked himself if he would kill his father to free himself, he answered yes.
I hate my father, there is no one I love... neither my mother, nor my friends... I am a wild beast! and a wild beast beaten and tracked to its lair.
Chapter 3. The stranger dissuades Julius from joining Christians
Remembering Pamphilius's invitation and Christ's words about giving rest to the weary, Julius resolved to join the Christians. As he traveled toward their community, he met a middle-aged man with an intellectual face who was resting and eating. When Julius explained his intention, the stranger warned him against it.
The stranger argued that Julius sought escape from his passions rather than true peace, which was impossible to find. He claimed Christian teachings were contrary to human nature, that passions were necessary for life, and that private property was essential for civilization. He insisted Christians were parasites who benefited from Roman protection while undermining the empire.
All your misfortunes are the results of the passions peculiar to men... You have reached the time when you must become a man, a citizen, and serve the state.
The stranger advised Julius to fulfill his father's wishes, marry, and take up the responsibilities of manhood. He argued that Julius's troubles stemmed from the unnaturalness of his position - he needed to enter the proper stage of life. Convinced by this reasoning, Julius returned home, reconciled with his father, and agreed to marry.
Chapter 4. Julius marries and debates Christian marriage with Pamphilius
Three months later, Julius married the beautiful Eulampia and began conducting part of his father's business. During a business trip to a distant city, he encountered Pamphilius selling grapes with a young woman. Julius invited his friend to talk privately, and they discussed their different paths in life.
Pamphilius reported growing happiness in his Christian life, while Julius admitted his marriage brought initial joy that gradually faded into sorrow. He complained that philosophers were right - life never gives what the soul desires. When Julius accused Christians of fraud in repudiating marriage and love, Pamphilius corrected him, explaining that Christians valued love above all else.
Pamphilius explained that Christian marriage differed from pagan marriage because Christians avoided stimulating lust and instead cultivated brotherly love. He described how he lived with Magdalina as a sister, and that their community's marriages were based on love for all humanity rather than personal desire.
Christian marriage is possible only when a man has love for his fellow-men... carnal love is lawful, reasonable, and lasting only when it is based on respect and love of man to man.
When Julius pressed about conflicts over the same woman, Pamphilius explained that Christians sacrifice personal happiness for others' welfare, with elders deciding difficult cases. Julius argued this was contrary to human nature, but Pamphilius maintained that rational nature should govern animal nature. He revealed he might marry Magdalina if it didn't hurt a young Christian man who loved her.
Chapter 5. Philosophical discussion on Christian labor and worldly pursuits
Julius criticized the Christians' simple lifestyle, arguing they lived like slaves without arts, sciences, or beauty. He accused them of voluntary savagery, noting Pamphilius's rough appearance and Magdalina's slave-like condition. Pamphilius responded that they didn't scorn human faculties but demanded that all activities serve love of God and neighbor.
Pamphilius argued that pagan learning and art served evil purposes - inventing new methods of war and exploitation, erecting temples to false gods, and glorifying tyrants. Christian art and science, by contrast, served to purify souls and encourage loving, laborious life. He defended their way of life against Julius's accusation that they were parasites living off Roman protection.
Our faith is this: that we understand life as Christ has interpreted it to us... that the welfare of life is not in its pleasures, but in the fulfilment of the will of God.
Pamphilius explained that Christians didn't require protection because their well-being consisted in not needing it. They would willingly give up possessions to invaders and work for them if required. Even barbarians would find no reason to harm them and would likely come to appreciate their way of life. He acknowledged Christians fell short of their ideals but argued they genuinely sought their advantage in love rather than violence.
When Julius asked why Christians followed one crucified teacher rather than human wisdom, Pamphilius replied that those seeking truth and communion with God naturally found Christ as their leader. All who love God meet on this path, he said. Julius admitted he might have been happier joining the Christians initially, but felt it was too late to change his established life.
Chapter 6. Juliuss worldly success and renewed interest in Christianity
Ten years passed during which Julius saw nothing of Pamphilius. After his father's death, Julius took over the complex business operations and was elected to civic functions. His eloquence and intelligence brought him influence among fellow citizens. However, his family life deteriorated as his wife lost her beauty after bearing three children and became increasingly devoted to them and to Christianity through a Christian slave-woman.
Julius found recreation with a frivolous woman while his wife grew more interested in Christian doctrine. He lived busily, hurrying from affair to affair and pleasure to pleasure, but found nothing truly satisfying. A chariot accident that broke his ribs and arm forced him to lie in bed for three months, during which three mortifying events occurred: a trusted slave ran away with valuable stones, his mistress deserted him, and his rival won the administrative position he coveted.
During his illness, Julius's wife told him about Christianity through her slave-woman, who had lived in Pamphilius's community. The slave reported that Pamphilius had married Magdalina and had several children, living as one of the most beloved brethren. Julius read a Christian manuscript describing the two paths - of life and death - which deeply moved him and made him see his own life as a horrible mistake.
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.
Chapter 7. The physician again argues against Christian life
Julius and his wife decided to join the Christians, planning to leave their children with their grandmother. Before they could act, the same physician who had dissuaded Julius years earlier arrived to treat his injuries. When Julius revealed his renewed intention to become a Christian, the physician again argued against it, claiming Julius had been deceived by sophists and rebels.
The physician argued that Julius's obligations to educate his children and serve his country took precedence over personal spiritual desires. He insisted that Julius should fulfill his duties as a citizen and father before considering such a drastic change. Either the physician's medicine or his advice worked - Julius recovered and his Christian inclinations seemed like idle fantasies.
Chapter 8. Pamphilius asks Julius to help persecuted Christians
Julius engaged tutors for his children and devoted himself to public duties, soon acquiring great consideration in the city. A year later, a Roman tribunal arrived to persecute Christians. Pamphilius approached Julius in the public square, leading a child by the hand - his son. Despite the danger of association, Julius invited him home.
Pamphilius requested not mercy for arrested Christians, but permission for them to publicly confess their faith. He explained that Christians considered bearing witness to truth their mission, whether through long life or enduring torture. Julius promised to help but declared Christian doctrine senseless and harmful, calling it a creed for women based on pride and weakness.
Julius accused Christians of considering themselves equal to Caesar and undermining the empire while benefiting from its protection. Pamphilius responded that Christians lived simply through their own labor, requiring little and supporting their weak through community effort. He explained they obeyed God's law through conscience and reason, rendering unto Caesar what was Caesar's and unto God what was God's.
Chapter 9. Discussion of Christian child-rearing and family life
Julius expressed surprise that Pamphilius had married and had children, arguing that Christian life was impossible for families due to insecurity and poverty. Pamphilius countered that Christians took the opposite view - while adults might be forgiven for worldly living, subjecting children to worldly temptations was horrible. He argued that the only true security came from loving labor, not violence or luxury.
When Julius insisted he must complete his children's education before considering Christianity, Pamphilius replied that Christ gives freedom instantly while earthly teaching never would. After their conversation, Julius saw Pamphilius at the public trial carrying away the bodies of martyred Christians, but fear of authorities prevented him from approaching his friend.
Chapter 10. Julius loses everything and finally joins the Christians
Twenty years later, Julius's wife had died and his wealth was draining away through his sons' luxurious living. A new prefect stripped him of favor, his flatterers abandoned him, and banishment threatened. When he returned from an unsuccessful trip to Rome, he found his son celebrating his supposed death. In rage, Julius struck his son, then went to his wife's room where he found the gospel.
Reading Christ's invitation to the weary and heavy-laden, Julius realized he had been called long but had been disobedient. He left home and walked to the Christian settlement, where he was joyfully received. Pamphilius showed him to the vineyard work, where Julius found only the superannuated vines remained - like his own wasted life.
Despairing that he was too late and good for nothing, Julius wept until an old Christian man called him to work in the neglected vineyard. The elder taught him that with God there is neither small nor great, only straight and crooked paths. He reminded Julius that there is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous persons.
And Julius found peace of mind, and he began to live and to work for the brethren according to his strength... and he did not perceive how he died the physical death.