He is a tireless worker and speaker. With all, he is the calmest and most serene public person the people have ever known. Those who are nearest to him say that at the close of his day’s ministrations, he appears exhausted and sleeps the deep and dreamless sleep of childhood.

Every one of his appearances is the scene of tremendous demonstrations. Whenever he is recognized on the streets or at public gatherings and the people begin to say, “Jesus is here!” he is the center of instant attention and attraction. There are times, however, when he seems to move unnoticed among the people, like any average man.

His voice is of matchless volume and glorious in its reach of tone, and his smile is marvelous in its attractiveness. No one has yet satisfactorily described his appearance . . .

Mr. Maxwell paused and looked up. His listeners returned his look. “The same as when he was here,” said Mr. Maxwell.

“At the same time,” Virginia said eagerly, “we shall never forget how he looks.”

“To the end of the world,” said Stanton gravely.

Mr. Maxwell went on reading:

Last night, the most fashionable and most widely advertised event of the season in theatrical circles took place. Avonarina and her chorus of dancers were to render the famous scenes in “The Girdle of Venus.” Opinions have differed concerning the presentation. Avonarina’s art is in some respects beyond criticism. Concerning her own power to attract—we may almost say ensnare—there is no question. Never in all the history of New York’s theatrical inducements has such a throng filled the opera house. Never have the displays of wealth been so lavish, or the outpouring of visible and physical adornment been so enormous and extravagant. And never has Avonarina appeared to such superb advantage.

The first act had been fully completed—Avonarina had appeared, called repeatedly by well-nigh frenzied bursts of applause before the curtain, which had finally risen for the triumphant initial entry of the “Venus Pageant,”—when, to the astonishment of everyone in the house, a cry suddenly arose, “Jesus is here!”

The cry rang through the house like a trumpet. There, in the center of the house, he stood. Those who were nearest to him said afterward that his eyes shot lightning and his voice swept up and over the audience like a sheet of audible flame as he spoke.

Nine

Chapter Nine

Mr. Maxwell paused in his reading for another instant. “You remember, Stanton, the talk we had with Jesus one evening about the amusements of the people?”

“Yes, and the splendid reply he gave to our questions. The whole attitude of his heart and mind was absolutely clear and wholesome, as of course we knew it would be.”