“They are a unit in their belief in him. The churches in New York were never so near a real basis of actual federation as now. The episcopal body is ready to unite with the denominations on a basis of actual fellowship such as has not been true or possible before. The coming of Jesus has been the greatest historical event since his first coming. There has been nothing like it for centuries. New York does not begin to realize yet what astounding changes are already being made in her religious, social, and business life. They are simply revolutionary. But all of them are peaceful.”

“Yet he did no mighty works.”

“If you mean spectacular acts of healing, he performed few, perhaps, although I am told he used that power quietly in many cases, where no news of it ever came to the general public. We shall no doubt hear of them from now on.

“But if by ‘mighty works’ you mean the uniting of Christian disciples who have all these years been divided, or creating such a passion against the liquor business that it will be rubbed off the map of New York City, or reconstructing the basis of the commercial transactions so that greed and speculation and theft will be replaced by brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness, who is there living among the sons of men who could accomplish such mighty works as these?”

“Granting that he has accomplished such miracles of grace among men.” Carter spoke with one of his old-time sneers.

“He has done it. The influence of Jesus in all these directions is irresistible. It cannot be denied nor checked.”

“You are a master optimist.”

“No, I believe it because I cannot help it. I am a disciple. It is marvelous to see the signs of his power all over this selfish city. When the World Congress meets here with Jesus this coming fall it will be the greatest gathering of Christendom this world has ever known.”

Carter was silent, brooding gloomily. His deep-set eyes burned with a fever of unrest, and dissatisfaction with himself. “Meanwhile, what will he do? Can you tell me where he is? I’m a newspaperman, as I told you, but I don’t put much faith in the accounts of his movements.”

“There is no secrecy about them. He will go to Washington. He is probably there now. He will visit as many states as possible before the World Congress here. He told a number of us this. I believe you will find him in Washington this week.”

Carter asked a few more questions before the men parted. And the minute he was alone, he decided on his course. Before night he was on the Pennsylvania railroad, speeding toward Washington, impelled in his thought by the same persistent impulse that had driven him out of Raymond to find Jesus.