He made no attempt to restrain any of the extravagances to which that
hour had given birth. He knew better than to do so. He had read of the
extravagant welcome given by the people of a town long besieged to
the envoys who brought the first news of the approach of the relieving
force, and he knew that he was there as an envoy to tell the people
about him of their release. He had himself witnessed the reception given
to the King's Posts that brought the tidings of the last peace, and he
knew that he himself was a King's Messenger, bearing to these people the
tidings of Peace and Goodwill.
He had a word of kindness and comfort and advice to all. He was an elder
brother, talking to the members of his own family on equal terms. But
soon he left the side of these new-found brethren, for his eyes had not
failed to see some who were sitting apart among the low crags--some in
silent dejection, bearing the expression of prisoners for whom no order
of release has come, though they had seen it come for others. But all
were not silent: many were moaning aloud with ejaculations of despair.
In the joy that had been brought to their friends they had no share.
Nay, the message that had brought peace to others had brought despair
to them. They had been happy enough before, knowing nothing of or caring
nothing for, the dangers that surrounded them in the darkness, and the
letting in of the light upon them had appalled them.
He was beside them in a moment, questioning them, soothing their fears,
removing their doubts, whispering a word or two of prayer in their ears.
Jake, the carrier, had been right: the preacher had balm for the wounds
of those who suffered. He went about among them for hours, not leaving
the side of any who doubted until their doubts had been removed and they
shared the happiness that the Great Message brought with it. But the
evangel had arisen upon that valley as the Daystar, with healing in its
wings.
When the multitude dispersed, the church bells were making melody over
the hills and through the dales. The Reverend Mr. Wesley was a good
churchman, and he took care that his preaching did not interfere with
the usual services. His object was to fill the churches with devout men,
and not merely the body of the churches, but the pulpits as well.
For himself, he withdrew from his friends and walked slowly up one of
the tracks leading to the summit of the cliffs a few miles beyond the
village of Porthawn. He wished to be alone, for amid all his feelings
of thankfulness for the good which he knew had been done through his
preaching, there came to him a doubt. Had he been faithful in his
delivery of the Message? Had he yielded up everything of self to the
service of the Master? Had he said a word that might possibly become
a stone of stumbling to the feet that had just set out upon the narrow
way?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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