Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/17

Rh childhood upwards," said Lazarus, unable still to break away from the teachings of his youth.

Nicodemus was silent for a few moments. Then he began again, with the air of a man who wishes, while persuading others, to persuade himself: "Yet, Lazarus, it seemeth to me that within the heart there is yet a deeper philosophy of right than the law of Moses teacheth. There is ever an inward burning longing for rest and peace and happiness, as if somewhere the soul could rest eternally."

"So will it be in the resurrection," answered Lazarus.

"Yet that is far off," said Nicodemus. "Methinks that, even in this life, there might be an inward peace with hope, such as this Nazarene doth speak of." Then he stood still, and, gazing down the valley, waved his hand toward the dark outline of Jerusalem. "Mindest thou the words of the prophet, Lazarus? 'Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers, hath He covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned! 'What thinkest thou, Lazarus? Is not Jerusalem even so? Are we not all in heaviness and asleep? Rulers and poor alike? Yet I feel that in us everything is possible. Think of the great strength of a man the great understanding, the great