His hand to him in silence.

Simeon was excited. He wanted to explain his object at once so as to
return to Jerusalem without delay, but the words would not come. He
stammered out; "Sir, I hear that you understand about eternal life.
Therefore am I come to you. Tell me where it is to be found. What
shall I do in order to possess eternal life?"

Jesus stepped forward a pace, looked earnestly at the man, and said:
"If you desire to live, keep the commandments of Moses."

"Of Moses?" returned the stranger, surprised. "But I do. Although I
am of pagan descent, in these matters I follow the people among whom I
live. But that is not the point. They die. I want to live for ever."

Then said Jesus: "If you desire to live for ever, follow Him Who lives
for ever. Love God above everything, and your neighbour as yourself."

"Oh, Master," said Simeon, "that is just what I strive to do. And yet
I am afraid."

Whereupon Jesus said: "You are afraid because you ought to do it, and
desire to do it, and yet do it not. You possess palaces in the town,
fertile acres in the country, ships on the sea, laden with precious
things from all quarters of the world. You possess a thousand slaves.
Your stewards would fill many volumes if they wrote down all that you
possess."

"Sir, how do you know everything?"

"My friend, your brilliant train spells wealth; but look at the people
who follow Me. They have poor garments but glad souls, they have the
Kingdom of God within them. If you are in earnest, you must give up
all you possess."

"Give up all I possess?"

"You must give it up and become like these. Then come to Me, and I
will lead you to everlasting life."

When Jesus had said that and more, the stranger cast down his head, and
slowly stepped back. What? I must become like these lowly, beggarly
people? must deliberately step out of my accustomed circle into this
boundless misery? No, no man could do it. He returned to his suite in
very low spirits.

Jesus looked after him thoughtfully with a kindly glance.

"Who is he?" the disciples asked. "He wears royal garments. We have
never seen such silks. Is he a priest from the East? If he came in
order to make us gifts, he has forgotten his intention."

Paying no heed to the jesting words, the Master said thoughtfully: "It
is difficult to gain a rich man for blessedness. Men's wills are too
weak. Their bodies are lapped in luxury, yet scorn of the soul leaves