goes out of doors there are always
crowds of Arab men and women at the gate to kiss his feet, and
twice to-day the furious women, wishing to lift his feet to kiss
them, threw him over. He likes my going so much amongst the
natives, for not to do so is a mortal sin in his eyes.... It is
wonderful that one man could have such an influence on 200,000
people. Numbers of women flock here every day to ask him to touch
their children to cure them; they call him the 'Father and the
Saviour of the Soudan.' He has found me badly up in Thomas a
Kempis, which he reads every day, and has given me an 'Imitation of
Christ.' He is indeed, I believe, the greatest and best man of this
century....

"I like Gordon more and more every day; he has a most lovable
manner and disposition, and is so kind to me. He is glad if you
show the smallest desire to help him in his great trouble. How one
man could have dared to attempt his task, I wonder. One day of his
work and bother would kill another man, yet he is so cheerful at
breakfast, lunch, and dinner; but I know he suffers fearfully from
low spirits. I hear him walking up and down his room all night (it
is next to mine). It is only his great piety carries him through.
He and I agree in a great many religious views."

Mr. Power being an Irishman and a Roman Catholic, while General Gordon
was a Scotchman and a member of the Church of England, such testimony
speaks volumes for the General as well as for the writer. There can be
little doubt that General Gordon had not known the brave young Irishman
long, before he had cast over him that fascinating spell which
invariably attracted and charmed young men. Cowper tells us that--

"Truth embodied in a tale,
Shall entrance find at lowliest doors."

Might not the poet have added that truth embodied in a life shall be
even more efficacious in obtaining an entrance? Power's life was cut
short before he had an opportunity of doing much in the world, but the
little that he was permitted to do shows us that he too was made of
that stuff which produces heroes; and as long as our country has such
men in reserve to fall back upon in times of emergency, there need be
no fear of her not being able to maintain her supremacy among nations.

How unwavering was Gordon's faith in the providence of God, even in the
midst of difficulties that would have appalled most men, is sh