Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/16

4 Lazarus, Nicodemus whispered: "I went to hear speak this strange Man, after whom the people have gone mad, and I can assure thee, noble Lazarus, that His preaching is no mean thing. Verily never heard I man speak like this Man."

"I, too, have heard rumours of His preaching. 'T is some poor fellow that hath followed in the doctrines of John the Baptist," answered Lazarus. "What preacheth He?"

"Baptism and Repentance of Sins," answered Nicodemus; "and yet more, He speaketh of Forgiveness."

"Who shall forgive sins but God only?" questioned Lazarus.

"Methinks verily 't is some prophet from God," said Nicodemus, "and it surpriseth me that neither Annas nor any other of the priests doth take notice of this matter, for seemingly, 't is one of vast importance. About the manner of this Man's birth there are marvellous accounts, and even as a child He did say and do most wondrous things; and His face, I cannot tell thee, Lazarus, how beautiful it is. It hath an expression of mingled purity and power, and it troubleth one strangely to look upon it."

"I will one day come with thee to hear Him," answered Lazarus. "Even but now did my thoughts dwell sadly on the present state of government. It seemeth to me that the old laws of Moses are perverted sadly, and that the world groweth strangely bad, as at the time of Noah."

"Yea, worse; for where were now the righteous man to place within the Ark?" asked Nicodemus.

"Yet we have kept the laws of Moses from our