“Then the spell seemed to be broken, and the Assembly broke up in a storm of feeling. What we saw out in the road a few minutes ago were probably student groups taking sides for and against Jesus. I have no doubt members of the faculty and of the fraternities are calling him a ‘boor,’ a ‘socialist,’ an ‘anarchist,’ and a vulgar ‘sensationalist.’ But no one can deny the fact that such an address, for sheer power and effect, was never heard at the University before.”

“Do you feel that Jesus ought to have spoken as he did?” Virginia asked as if, in her heart, she was a little afraid.

“How should he speak?” Stanton answered in his deep voice, looking earnestly at Virginia as he spoke. “The usual talk at the Assembly, I am told, is some refined, scholarly essay on some subject entirely removed from the great questions of conduct, of right and wrong, of purity and vulgarity. What can we imagine Jesus talking about to students and teachers?”

“But was he taking advantage of his invitation to condemn the Chancellor and the students and faculty? Will his action not make him enemies?”

“No doubt. We shall probably have some illustration of it before the day is over. But did not Jesus make enemies among some kinds of people the minute he began his ministry when he was here before? Is he not the same in all ages?”

Virginia looked troubled. Then her face cleared, and she said, smiling calmly, “I am willing to trust him. He cannot do wrong. He must know best. But come, Uncle. Come, Mr. Stanton. If we do not go down to the church, we will not get in. I would not miss the meeting for the world. Let us start now.”

“Maxwell will see to it that we get seats,” said Dr. West. “But we had better go along. Looks as if there will be a crowd.”

Accordingly they left the house at once. The moment they stepped out of doors, they felt that an air of excitement pervaded the town. The streets were filled with people, all hurrying toward the First Church. As they joined the flow of walkers, they heard the words which were destined to become most often spoken and heard all over the world—“Jesus is here!”—uttered in tones of incredulity, amazement, passion, and trust.

“Jesus is here!” Virginia murmured to herself as the words were repeated about her. She felt as if every day new vistas of life were being revealed to her, new visions of life’s glory were about to reveal a new experience, and her heart was beginning to accept what life had to offer of new and mysterious unfolding joys—and ever and always at the center of all stood the regal figure of Jesus.

She walked alongside Mr. Stanton, silent but happy, eagerly anticipating this conference of Jesus with his own disciples. Long before they reached the church, they began to realize what a large crowd was gathering about it.