Meanwhile the novel doctrines spread, and found New converts day by day, and day by day Proclaimers new. Of these more eminent Was none than Stephen, flaming prophet he, Quenchless in spirit, full of faith and power. Him oft Saul heard, to listening throngs that hung Upon the herald's lips with eager ear, The claim of Jesus to Messiahship Assert, and from the psalms and prophets prove. In guise a seraph rapt, with love aflame And all aflame with knowledge, like the bush That burned with God in Horeb unconsumed, The fervent pure apostle Stephen stood, In ardors from celestial altars caught Kindling to incandescence--stood and forged, With ringing blow on blow, his argument, A vivid weapon edged and tempered so, And in those hands so wielded, that its stroke No mortal might abide and bide upright. Stephen is such as Saul erelong will be Risen from the baptism of the Holy Ghost! Saul felt the breath of human power that blew Round Stephen like a morning wind, he felt The light that lifted and transfigured him And glorified, that bright auroral ray Of genius which forever makes the brow It strikes on from its fountain far in God Shine like the sunrise-smitten mountain peak-- Saul felt these things in Stephen by his tie With Stephen in the fellowship of power; Kindred to kindred answered and rejoiced. But that in Stephen which was more and higher Than Stephen at his native most and highest, The inhabitation of the Holy Ghost-- This, Saul had yet no sense to apprehend. The Spirit of God, only the Spirit of God Can know; the natural man to Him is deaf And blind. Saul, therefore, seeing did not see, And hearing heard not. But no less his heart, In seeing and in hearing Stephen speak, Leapt up with recognition of a peer In power to be his meet antagonist And task him to his uttermost to foil. Beyond Saul's uttermost it was to be, That task! though this of Stephen not, but God.