Do you imagine for an instant that if
He had been of solemn, doleful visage, any woman would ever have
pressed through a crowd to touch the hem of His garment, that she might
be made well? Do you suppose the woman of Samaria would have lingered
one instant at the well of Jacob, had Jesus been a man with a face
like--well, suppose I say Deacon Quickset? Do you think mothers would
have brought their children to Him that He might bless them? Do you
imagine any one who had not a great, warm heart could have wept at the
grave of his friend Lazarus, whom He knew He had the power to raise
from the dead? Didn't He go to the marriage jollification at Cana, and
take so much interest in the affair that He made up for the deficiency
in the host's wine-cellar? Weren't all His parables about matters that
showed a sympathetic interest in the affairs which were nearest to the
hearts of the people around Him? If all these things were possible to
one who had His inner heart full of tremendous responsibilities, what
should not His followers be in the world,--so far as all human cheer
and interest go?"
"I've never heard him spoken of in that way before," said Eleanor,
speaking as if she were in a brown study.
"I'm glad--selfishly--that you hear it the first time from me, then.
Never again will I do anything of which I think He would disapprove;
but, my dear girl, I give you my word that although occasionally--too
often--I have been lawless in word and action, I never until now have
known the sensation of entire liberty and happiness.
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