At the funeral service for Stephen, Shimei was a skulking attendant. He catches at a mention there overheard by him of the name of Saul in connection with that of Stephen, to plot an instigated persecuting visit on Saul's part to Bethany; Shimei hoping that Saul will thus encounter his own sister identified as a Christian. Saul takes a band of men and makes the visit. He finds his intended victims all together at the house of Ruth condoling with her--Rachel indeed among them. After sharp inward conflict, and much effort put forth without success to make his victims abjure their faith, Saul finally takes them to prison. But Rachel, she vainly entreating to share her companions' fate, he leaves behind. She takes upon herself the charge of Ruth's children in their own home, where Saul, month after month, secretly sends to her supply of every need. SAUL AT BETHANY. Among the sons of God, when these one day Came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also; and so Shimei, Amid the throng that mourned at Stephen's death, Intruded. With smooth face of sanctimony, Skulking to be unseen or heeded not, He hovered furtive on the outer edge Of audience, when those words of praise were said To hearten--eye and ear alert to mark All that befell. His thought was, 'Here perhaps I shall learn something to the true behoof And profit of our cause--right aim secure For the next blow of vengeance to be struck.' The name of Saul mysteriously conjoined With Rachel's, in abhorrent prophecy As seemed--this, Shimei caught at eagerly And said, 'Aha!' Then, as the throng dispersed All to their several homes, straight Shimei Went to seek Saul. Him found that spy malign With the chief priests in council, plotting deep To hunt the sect of Jesus to the death. These had armed Saul with writ and warrant sealed Empowering him to enter where he would, House after house, and whomsoever found, Man be it or woman, guilty of belief In Jesus as Messiah, such to seize And drag to prison. Instantly conceived Shimei a subtle snare to enmesh the feet Of Saul. The proud young zealot Pharisee Should be set on to visit first in search Those homes of Bethany; where, unadvised Perhaps, so Shimei guessed, the brother might, To his dismay, find his own sister one With the disciples of the Nazarene. Then to make prisoner his own flesh and blood, Or openly spare Rachel for kin's sake-- This, scandal against scandal doubtful weighed, Would be the hard alternative to Saul.