Once more he seeks the dwelling-place of mortals and [5] knocks loudly. The door is burst open, and sufferers shriek for help: that house is on fire! The flames caught in the dwelling of luxury, where the blind saw them not, but the flesh at length did feel them; thence they spread to the house of slumberers who heeded them not, until [10] they became unmanageable; fed by the fat of hypocrisy and vainglory, they consumed the next dwelling; then crept unseen into the synagogue, licking up the blood of martyrs and wrapping their altars in ruins. “God is a consuming fire.” [15] Thus are all mortals, under every hue of circumstances, driven out of their houses of clay and, homeless wan- derers in a beleaguered city, forced to seek the Father’s house, if they would be led to the valley and up the mount. [20] Seeing the wisdom of withdrawing from those who persistently rejected him, the Stranger returned to the valley; first, to meet with joy his own, to wash their feet, and take them up the mountain. Well might this heavenly messenger exclaim, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [25] thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee,... Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Discerning in his path the penitent one who had groped his way from the dwelling of luxury, the Stranger saith [30] unto him, “Wherefore comest thou hither?” He answered, “The sight of thee unveiled my sins, and [Page 327.] turned my misnamed joys to sorrow. When I went back [1] into the house to take something out of it, my misery increased; so I came hither, hoping that I might follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” And the Stranger saith unto him, “Wilt thou climb [5] the mountain, and take nothing of thine own with thee?” He answered, “I will.” “Then,” saith the Stranger, “thou hast chosen the good part; follow me.” Many there were who had entered the valley to specu- [10] late in worldly policy, religion, politics, finance, and to search for wealth and fame. These had heavy baggage of their own, and insisted upon taking all of it with them, which must greatly hinder their ascent. The journey commences. The encumbered travellers [15] halt and disagree. They stoutly belay those who, hav- ing less baggage, ascend faster than themselves, and betimes burden them with their own. Despairing of gaining the summit, loaded as they are, they conclude to stop and lay down a few of the heavy weights,—but [20] only to take them up again, more than ever determined not to part with their baggage. All this time the Stranger is pointing the way, show- ing them their folly, rebuking their pride, consoling their afflictions, and helping them on, saying, “He that loseth [25] his life for my sake, shall find it.” Obstinately holding themselves back, and sore-footed, they fall behind and lose sight of their guide; when, stumbling and grumbling, and fighting each other, they plunge headlong over the jagged rocks. [30]