Even beyond this, he held a power over them, by means of his natural and persuasive eloquence, enlivened by varied and graphic illustrations, drawn from objects within their ken, and by the wonderful intonations of his powerful and harmonious voice.  He began his work by presenting to them the love of Christ and the winning promises of the gospel.

This was his favorite mode of reaching the heart.

On most of these occasions, Adele went to the Grove.  It varied her monotonous life.  The strange, motley crowd gathered under the magnificent trees, sitting on the ground, or standing in groups beneath the tall arches made by the overlapping boughs; the level rays of the declining sun, bringing out, in broad relief, their grotesque varieties of costume; the gradual creeping on of the sobering twilight; the alternating expressions of emotions visible on the countenances of the listeners, made the scene striking to her observing eye.

Another burning, dusty day had culminated.  It was nearly five o’clock in the afternoon.  Mr. Norton was lying upon a lounge in Mr. Brown’s apartment.  Both gentlemen appeared to be in a meditative mood.  The silence was only interrupted by the unusual sound of an occasional sigh from the missionary.

“Why! friend Norton;” at length exclaimed Mr. Brown, “have you really lost your cheerfulness, at last?”

“Yes”, replied Mr. Norton, slowly.  “I must confess that I am wellnigh discouraged respecting the reformation of this people.  Here, I have been preaching to them these weeks the gospel of love, presenting Christ to them as their friend and Saviour, holding up the truth in its most lovely and winning forms.  It has apparently made no impression upon their hearts.  It is true, they come in crowds to hear me, but what I say to them makes no permanent mark.  They forget it, the moment the echo of my voice dies upon their ears.  The fact is, friend Brown, I am disappointed.  I did hope the Lord would have given this people unto me.  But”, continued he, after a moment’s pause, “what right have I to be desponding?  God reigns”.

“According to all accounts”, replied Mr. Brown, “they must be a hard set to deal with, both mentally and morally.  I should judge, from what Miss Adele tells me of your instructions, that you have not put them upon the same rigid regimen of law and truth, that you may remember you prescribed for my spiritual cure”.  Mr. Brown smiled.  “Perhaps”, he continued, “these men are not capable of appreciating the mild aspect of mercy.  They do not possess the susceptibility to which you have been appealing.  They need to have the terrors of the law preached to them”.

“Ah! that is it, friend Brown, you have it.  I am convinced it is so.  I have fell it for several days past.  But I do dislike, extremely, to endeavor to chain them to the truth by fear.  Love is so much more noble a passion to enlist for Christ.  Yet they must be drawn by some motive from their sins.  Love often follows in the wake and casts out fear”.