This spiritual significance of the episode of Newell Knight had not occurred to Susannah before.  It touched her own case.

He went on.  “When I think of the future that is opening before us, Sister Halsey—­why, when I think of how all the nations are to be gathered in—­there’s persecutions in store, and we must be tried by fire, but there’s riches and honour and blessing for those as shall be steadfast; and it’s borne in upon me that the Kingdom shall be set up in the west of this land.”  He turned and looked at her, becoming elevated in mind and rising again into finer language.  “And the men that are like unto thy husband, and have the single eye to believe and obey the word of the Lord, shall become as princes, dispensing bread to the hungry, and the water of life to them that are athirst; and the beautiful women who fail not but continue faithful, shall be as princesses driving behind white horses and wearing silken robes, and comforting the sick in their sickness, and welcoming the women of the nations as they come from distant lands, teaching them that which is good—­” He drew his breath, as if about to say more and yet larger words, but remained silent, looking upon the open space of the fields.  Then his mien, which had become enlarged, contracted somewhat, as if the vision were past.

“Why, Mrs. Halsey, when I do think of it, it seems as if one day at a time were’nt enough, and as if I couldn’t just set myself to get the Latin and the Greek, and preach just to a few folks and help a person that’s needing a bit of help; but it’s borne right in here upon me that what we need is the learning of the world, otherwise called the wisdom of the serpent.  I never was a great hand to learn, and father he didn’t make me, so it comes harder now; but I’ll see to it that the young ones of our folks shall take to learning mighty early; and what we want is to be faithful in small things, and not stumble in our faith if now and then a man do rise into the air.”

She felt his blue eyes, mild but shrewd, meeting hers as he came to this last item.

“Sister, ’twas given to me to know the first time as I saw you that there was a great work for you to do in comforting and establishing the elect, and it comes to me now that you’d better be getting some more education, for although I suffer not a woman to teach, yet she may establish that which is already taught.”

Inclined to put some question that would bring out more definite instruction as to her own special function in the Church, she did not notice two men who were approaching from the other side in a gig until they were close upon them.

One of these was a well-to-do farmer, the brother of a woman who had recently been converted at one of Smith’s meetings.  Now he was breathing out revenge.  He sprang to the ground, striking at Smith with a heavy whip.  Susannah saw the mildness of the prophet’s eye turn into a sharp glitter.  She realised that he was not afraid, although when the other man also sprang upon him there was not the least doubt but that he must be worsted in such an assault.