“The point I was attempting to make,” the baron went on, “was that living my faith occupies my full energies. Persuasion is not given to me. Living is. That is why we call this Lebenshaus. I perceive my duty as a Christian is to live as Jesus instructed and to give voice to my faith whenever I am asked. But even then only to lay before another, such as yourself, Thaddeus, what I believe, so that you may examine it and respond to it in your own way and in your own time. I can only say, ‘These are the principles by which I try to live. They seem good to me. They have helped me come to know my heavenly Father better. I therefore commend them to you for consideration.’

“As I read the Gospels, this is the example I witness—Jesus laying the truths of the kingdom of God before his disciples and his listeners, but making no persuasive speeches. He spoke the truth, laid out the values and attitudes and priorities by which life in the kingdom was to function… but then he turned and left the crowd to think about what he’d said and to make up their own mind. He didn’t even try to persuade his disciples, but merely kept placing the principles of the kingdom of God before them.”

The baron stopped. A long silence followed.

When he began again, a subdued emotion of concern and love and urgency filled his voice. Though he continued to speak in low volume, the whole room was filled with an intensity and passion none of those present could mistake. A heavy sense of import fell upon all, and they knew, each in his own way, that the Spirit of God was in their presence.

“We now come, my two dear friends,” the baron resumed, “to that point for which I wanted to speak with you before we part on the morrow. I said a few minutes ago that there was one aspect of my faith that I had not shared with you, do you recall?”

Both men nodded their heads.

“This is something I rarely say to anyone, because, as I expressed, I do not feel such is my duty. But the times compel me to do so now, and the circumstances of our friendship.”

“Go on,” said Thaddeus. “You need fear no adverse reaction from me.”

“Nor me,” added Matthew. “I am eager to hear what you have to say to us.”

“You are both very open men,” said the baron. “Were there the slightest hesitation on either of your parts, I would stop immediately. What I have to say now cannot be said except where the door to the heart and mind is open. Where it is not, only harm is done by speaking prematurely—sometimes permanent harm.”