Part 68 (1/2)

_Barnabas_. ”So long a time?”

_The Preacher_. ”So short a time. You have been busy, I take it?”

_Barnabas_. ”Yes, sir. Since last we met I have bought a house and set up an establishment in London, and I have also had the good fortune to be entered for the Gentleman's Steeplechase on the fifteenth.”

_The Preacher_. ”You are rich, young sir?”

_Barnabas_. ”And I hope to be famous also.”

_The Preacher_. ”Then indeed do I begin to tremble for you.”

_Barnabas_ (staring). ”Why so?”

_The Preacher_. ”Because wealth is apt to paralyze effort, and Fame is generally harder to bear, and far more dangerous, than failure.”

_Barnabas_. ”How dangerous, sir?”

_The Preacher_. ”Because he who listens too often to the applause of the mult.i.tude grows deaf to the voice of Inspiration, for it is a very small, soft voice, and must be hearkened for, and some call it Genius, and some the Voice of G.o.d--”

_Barnabas_. ”But Fame means Power, and I would succeed for the sake of others beside myself. Yes,--I must succeed, and, as I think you once said, all things are possible to us! Pray, what did you mean?”

_The Preacher_. ”Young sir, into each of us who are born into this world G.o.d puts something of Himself, and by reason of this Divine part, all things are possible.”

_Barnabas_. ”Yet the world is full of failures.”

_The Preacher_. ”Alas! yes; but only because men do not realize power within them. For man is a selfish creature, and Self is always grossly blind. But let a man look within himself, let him but become convinced of this Divine power, and the sure and certain knowledge of ultimate success will be his. So, striving diligently, this power shall grow within him, and by and by he shall achieve great things, and the world proclaim him a Genius.”

_Barnabas_. ”Then--all men might succeed.”

_The Preacher_. ”a.s.suredly! for success is the common heritage of Man.

It is only Self, blind, ignorant Self, who is the coward, crying 'I cannot! I dare not! It is impossible!'”

_Barnabas_. ”What do you mean by 'Self'?”

_The Preacher_. ”I mean the grosser part, the slave that panders to the body, a slave that, left unchecked, may grow into a tyrant, a Circe, changing Man to brute.”

Here Barnabas, having finished his bread and b.u.t.ter, very thoughtfully cut himself another slice.

_Barnabas_ (still thoughtful). ”And do you still go about preaching Forgetfulness of Self, sir?”

_The Preacher_. ”And Forgiveness, yes. A good theme, young sir, but--very unpopular. Men prefer to dwell upon the wrongs done them, rather than cherish the memory of benefits conferred. But, nevertheless, I go up and down the ways, preaching always.”

_Barnabas_. ”Why, then, I take it, your search is still unsuccessful.”

_The Preacher_. ”Quite! Sometimes a fear comes upon me that she may be beyond my reach--”

_Barnabas_. ”You mean--?”

_The Preacher_. ”Dead, sir. At such times, things grow very black until I remember that G.o.d is a just G.o.d, and therein lies my sure and certain hope. But I would not trouble you with my griefs, young sir, more especially on such a glorious morning,--hark to the throstle yonder, he surely sings of Life and Hope. So, if you will, pray tell me of yourself, young sir, of your hopes and ambitions.”