the
world." And another echoed, "Inasmuch as we do it to the least of
these, we do it unto Christ."

[Sidenote: The Joy of Doing Good]

"Ah! thought Balthazar as he listened, I see the meaning of it now; I
am coming to the end of my search. The kingdom of Christ--I have found
it. It is in the deeds of men; it is in the conscience and the serving
will. Devotion to right, this is the law of the kingdom of Christ."

Then Balthazar turned to go in search of his comrades again; but
behold! the opal star was trembling, as if beckoning him on. So, still
doubting if he had reached the end of his search, he followed the
star.

[Sidenote: The Paths Converge]

Thus Gaspard, Melchoir and Balthazar, each following the star, at last
approached each other. The star of each seemed to melt and blend into
the star of the others, and the opal light stood at last in the center
of the group. Gaspard exclaimed: "I have found that which we all were
seeking. The kingdom of Christ is in the imagination; Christ lives in
what man feels."

"Nay," said Melchoir, "I have followed the star, and I have found what
we sought. The kingdom of Christ is in the reason of man. Christ lives
in what man believes."

"But," cried Balthazar, "my star has led me to a different end. The
kingdom of Christ is in the will of man. Christ lives in what man
does."

"The truth," once more exclaimed Melchoir, "is the law of the
kingdom."

"Not truth," declared Balthazar, "but justice, righteousness, goodness
and purity--these are its laws and its marks."

"Nay, comrades beloved, hearken to me," answered Gaspard, "it is the
miracle of the divine presence. It is God among men, realized in the
holy mass. I beheld it all in yonder cathedral."

But lo! once more the star began to tremble and to change its place.

"Let us follow the star!" Balthazar whispered. "We will follow it,"
echoed the other two.

[Sidenote: Once More the Quest]

Then the star led them on, and they followed together until they came
at length to the doorway of a little cottage; and within the cottage
they saw a woman bending over a cradle, and in the cradle a little
child lay sleeping. She was a peasant woman; her clothing was not
rich; the furnishing of the cottage was humble and scanty. The cradle
itself was rude, as if put together by hands unskilful in tasks like
that. But when the mother looked at her babe a sweet smile played
about her lips, and a light was in her eyes. Then all su