ys.

At the outset the Roman convert is impressed with the goodly number
of those first disciples. They are not twelve or six score, but
many more. They greet each other with the salutation, "Peace be to
you," and then they rapturously add, "To-day we shall see our
Lord." In that intimacy which should always mark the followers of
Christ, they give Quintus their welcome; and at once he feels
himself among a congenial brotherhood.

One is by name Nicodemus, a member of the Great Sanhedrin. Another
is one Bartimaeus, from southern Jericho, whose finger tips have
been his eyes, till the Lord has healed his blindness. A third has
been a demoniac among the hills of the Gergesenes, and has been a
wandering and truculent challenge to his times. A woman is there
from Jacob's well, with Salome and Susanna and the virgin mother
herself. They are from southern Bethlehem; they have come from the
wild hills of Peraea, beyond the Jordan; many are from Galilee,
where Christ has found so many devoted followers. All these, as
well as the immortal eleven who have composed the inner circle of
the Master's associates.

Two other peculiar disciples does Quintus see, both of whom have
been raised from the dead. Lazarus has come, who has so often
welcomed the Lord to his home in Bethany; and with him are the
sisters, of whom one has heard the Teacher say. "Whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die." The other is a young
vineyard keeper from the neighboring village of Nain, whom Christ
has restored. His word to Quintus is:

"Last year I sickened with a fever and passed through the door of
death. They were carrying me out for burial, and my widowed mother
was weeping as one weeps who has lost her only son. The Master
halted the mourners, and called me back to earth. I have never
told of the wonders which I saw in the spirit world; it would not
be lawful. But I have been in the great spaces beyond the stars,
and know that the tomb is only a resting place for a little sleep."

"How many disciples are there here?" Quintus asks of the good John.
To which question the other answers:

"Over a half thousand. It has been our Master's wish that every
disciple of his throughout the land should come to this meeting
place. Unto all he would show himself once more, before he returns
to the upper life. So they shall have a glad memory of his face,
and shall be strengthened in their coming tribulations by the hope
of im