"He seems indeed to be the God for whom I have longed. They have been telling me of his life, yet I realize little save that he came to earth that men might know him; that he died to show men the depth of his love; and that he is with us at every time, in every place--even here, now, on this roof! Only think of it, Amzi! He is close beside us, seeing us, hearing us, knowing our very hearts! There is no need more of appealing to the spirits of the stars. Ah, they were ever far, far off!" "And where learned you all this, friend priest?" There was an indifferent raillery in the tone which chilled Yusuf to the heart. "From Nathan, a Christian Jew, and his wife--people who live close to God if any one does." "In the Jewish quarter?" "Even so." Amzi laughed. "Truly, friend, you have chosen a fair spot for your revelation--a quarter of filth and vice. A case of good coming out of evil, truly!" "Will you not grant that there are some good even in the Jewish quarter?" "Some, perhaps; yet there are some good among all peoples." "Amzi, can you not believe?" "No, no, friend Yusuf; I am glad for your happiness--believe what you will. But it is foreign to Amzi's nature to accept on hearsay that which he has not inquired into--probed to the bottom even. He cannot accept the testimony of any passing stranger, however plausible it may seem. Rejoice if you will, Yusuf, in the spring of a night-tune, but leave Amzi to seek for the deep waters still." Amzi was now talking quickly and impressively. Yusuf was amazed. The light was beginning to shine so brightly in his own soul that he could not comprehend why others could not see and believe likewise. He talked with his friend until the dawn began to tint the top of Abu Kubays, but without effect. At every turn he was met by the bitter prejudice held by the Meccans against the whole Jewish race, a prejudice which kept even Amzi the benevolent from believing in anything advocated by them. "Why do they not show Christ in their lives, then?" he would say. "You cannot judge the whole Christian band by the misdeeds of a few, who are, indeed, no Christians," Yusuf pleaded. "True; yet a religion such as you describe should appeal to more of them, and would, if it were all you imagine it to be. A perfect religion should be exemplified in the lives of those who profess it." "I grant you that that is true," was Yusuf's reply. "And as an example let me bring you to Nathan and his family. Nobody could talk for one hour to them without feeling that they have found, at least, something which we do not possess. This something, they say, is their God." "Well, well. I shall do so to please you," said Amzi indifferently, "but I hope that a longer acquaintance may not spoil your trust in these people."