Part 23 (1/2)
The sun was still s.h.i.+ning, and it fell upon the Teacher's face and form, lighting them up with almost Eastern definiteness and distinctness. But it was not only the sun which irradiated Joseph's face with an unearthly serenity and beauty. He had been communing with G.o.d. His thoughts were still on high. His face was not of this world. It was ”as the face of an angel.”
The man shouted out in a loud, high-pitched voice, which sent an immediate responsive quiver through the crowd.
”Make way!” he called. ”Make way! He's come! Joseph has come!”
There was a sudden rustling sound, like the first murmur the upspringing wind makes in a forest. The crowd swayed and strained as every member of it turned, and Joseph saw a ma.s.s of stippled pink framed in black before him.
There was a deep organ note from many voices, interspersed here and there with sharp cries, falsetto, high in the palate, e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns of excitement, which could not be controlled.
Then every one saw him.
The deep note swelled into a great shout of welcome, astonishment, and even fear, while, as the waters rolled back for the pa.s.sage of Israel, the living billows of humanity separated and were cleaved asunder.
It was the triumph of a personality which, at this moment, was superhuman, a personality such as had never visited the modern Babylon before. Good men and saints have ofttimes trodden, and still tread the streets of London, but never before had its weary, sin-worn people known the advent of one such as this man, an ”angel” or ”messenger” of warning straight from G.o.d!
It was a scene which recalled other scenes in the dim past. Human nature has not changed, though the conditions under which it manifests itself have changed. Steam and electricity, all the discoveries of science, all the increase of knowledge which they have produced, have had no real influence for change upon the human heart. Science does not limit, nor does knowledge destroy, the eternal truths of Christianity. This man, coming as he did, influenced as he was influenced, had the same power over a modern mob in London as he would have had in those ages which fools call ”dark” or ”superst.i.tious”--not realizing that the revelation of G.o.d to man is still going on in perfect beauty and splendor, that day by day new proofs are added to the great Central Truth of the Incarnation.
They swept aside to let him pa.s.s, calling aloud upon his name, in anger, in supplication, in fear and in joy--a mighty multiple voice of men and women stirred to the very depths of being.
His bare head bowed, his face still s.h.i.+ning with inward spiritual fire, Joseph pa.s.sed among them, and was lost to their sight within the doors of the house.
He moved swiftly up the stairs, still as if in a dream in which worldly things had no part, with the rapt face of one who sees a vision still.
Pus.h.i.+ng open a door, he found himself by instinct, for no one had directed him, in the large upper chamber where the brethren were gathered together.
The room was a large bare place, occasionally let for dinners and other social occasions, but ordinarily very little used. The dozen or so of the faithful friends who had come with Joseph from their native hills were kneeling at the chairs placed round the walls. One of them, David Owen, was praying aloud, in a deep fervent voice.
”Lord G.o.d of Hosts, we know how Thou didst anoint Our Lord with the Holy Ghost and with power; Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for G.o.d was with Him. Anoint our Master Joseph in the same way, that he and we with him may prevail against the devils of London and their captain, Beelzebub. And oh, most Merciful Father, preserve our Teacher while he is away from us from the a.s.saults of Satan and the craft and subtlety of evil men. Send him back to us with good news, and armed for the battle with Thy grace and protection.
Dear Lord, Amen.”
There was a deep groan of a.s.sent, and then a momentary silence, broken by David, who said: ”Brethren, I have it in my mind to read a portion of the Holy Book, this being the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.
For it is therein that we shall remind ourselves of how the Apostles remained at Jerusalem waiting for the promise of the Father that ere many days pa.s.sed they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost. And reading thus, we shall be comforted and of a stout heart.”
With these words the old man rose, and, turning, saw Joseph standing among them. He gave a glad shout of surprise, and in a moment the Teacher was surrounded by the faces of his friends. They wrung him by the hand, they pressed on him with words of joy, the sonorous Welsh e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns of praise and thanksgiving rang like a carillon in the long, bare room.
The tears came into Joseph's eyes.
”My brethren,” he said, and all marked the splendor of his countenance and the music of his voice, ”G.o.d has richly blessed us, and shown us signs of His love and favor. Sit you down, and I will tell you my story and all that has happened to me. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
He told them everything, leaving out no single detail, and beginning his story from the moment on which he had left them the night before. Many were the exclamations of sympathy and comprehension as he told of the black doubts and fears that had haunted him upon this midnight walk.
Like all men who have pa.s.sed through deep spiritual experiences, they know such hours well. For all men who love G.o.d and try to serve Him must endure their agony and must be tempted in the desert places, even as Christ Jesus Who died for us was tempted.
The simple band of brethren heard with rapt attention how the Holy Spirit had led their chief into the dwellings of the rich and powerful, and raised up mighty help for the battle that was to come.
In all they saw the hand of G.o.d. Miracle had succeeded miracle from the very moment when they laid the body of their beloved Lluellyn Lys to rest upon the wild mountain top.
G.o.d was with them indeed!