Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/378



S rapidly as possible Lazarus sent messengers from one disciple to another, bidding them assemble at a given place in Jerusalem, in case the Lord should appear to them. He had chosen the house of a trusted friend, and, at the given hour, all, except Thomas, who could not be found, assembled. They came in singly, at short intervals, lest they should attract attention, and be massacred before they could perform their Lord's command to spread the glad tidings of salvation throughout the world. When all had come, the doors were shut and barred; then all knelt, and Lazarus raised a prayer that, if it were God's will, it might be granted them to see the Lord once more; also that they might be quickened by the Holy Spirit, which Jesus had promised should be shed upon them.

And, while he prayed, the room, that had been almost dark, seemed to grow lighter and ever lighter. The lightness was no natural one, for its source was not apparent. It seemed to gather of itself and gradually to form a column of surpassing radiance in the centre of the room. Suddenly, in the midst of it appeared the figure of the Lord.

So sudden and unexpected was His coming, so dazzling was the brightness of His visage, that they all fell upon their faces, half in worship, half in awe.