The Minister's Efforts Tottered and Did Not Fall

The glow which they had just before beheld burning on his cheek was extinguished like a flame that sinks down hopelessly among the late decaying embers. It seemed hardly the face of a man alive with such a deathlike hue. Yet tottered and did not fall. The crowd, meanwhile, looked on with awe and wonder. This earthly faintness was, in their view, only another phase of the minister's celestial strength. Nor would it have seemed a miracle too high to be wrought for one so holy had he ascended before their eyes. He turned towards the fold and stretched forth his arms. Hester said, he come hither. Come my little pearl.