Stephen

d yet, was it not by the mercy of the all-seeing One that I was chained to the side of him who s

u dost believe what thou hast said?" said

one or two slow tears. "How can

w they should pray, and he told them the very words they might use acceptably; but he also said, If thou hast desires bring them to the Father. He will give to thee even as an earthly father, and much more; if a child should come to his father and ask for bread will

d Anna, in a low voice, fixing he

nly and forever away from childhood. His child nature had been crucified with those whom he loved, and upon his face

way even unto the end of the world.' He was there, though we could not see him. All of us knew it; and we asked him for the fulfilment of his last promise--the Spirit, that we being weak, might receive power to be his witnesses before men. John the beloved spoke to him, after that there was silence for a brief space, then on a sudden there came a sound, faint at first, bu

ed Anna, leaning forwar

ad a tremulous light, it wavered and brightened till it had the look of a cloven tongue of flame. As I feared and trembled greatly at the si

d t

t parts of the earth.' We were no longer filled with fear, thinking only how to escape the hands of them that had murdered our Lord--nay, rather, that in the infinite and unsearchable knowledge and wisdom of the Father had lifted him up upon the cross to be a

cting the glow upon the face of the young man, as the mountain top

of the Hebrews? Are not all languages understood by him? He spake through us, and behold, every man heard the message in his own language. After that did Peter speak unto the people, and he mightily convinced them, so that many cried out, 'What shall we do

the Gentiles?" as

a part in the blessing, even as I had through my mother; but of a surety God created all men. It w

High Priest honors thus with her hos

eyes fixed with manifest terror on t

at I should remain chained to my couch forever? I am

"Thou art not strong. I tho

comely a young man," said the High Priest with a terribl

waited for her to speak. Her lips moved, but no sound came from them. He turned and fixed his eyes upon the man. "I know not who thou a

rward; he did not speak, but d

ite face upon the young man. "Thou dost

assured of thy safety. Who, an

r of my son, defy me in mine own house?" he cried in a choked voice. "Because thou art in mine ho

ated Anna

hat dost thou mean?" he said, his voice full

Son of a malefactor, dost thou not know that up

e of God could not rest upon a head whereon is also

hence, or not even the sacred law of hospitality shall refrai

lt answer me somewhat that I shall ask of thee. Now that the murderer of thy son hath rid us of his presence thou canst perhaps attend to what I shall say." Anna

es

re received him

es

wer of the acc

es

lso one of hi

the woman, she lifted her face, a mysteriou

in those two words there so

t off my right hand should it become polluted beyond cleansing, so also will I sever thee from my life. Get thee

her slight figure swayed a little, then noiselessly as a snow wreath

ot touch it. After a time he arose and walked