Peter in the Firelight

Yet I know that this hand cannot write all; my gospel is near its end. But why is my heart so wakened by memories of Galilee? Is there aught that He would have me write yet more?He whose tenderness now lays the old-time spell upon me? Ah, now I bethink me, my Master! There is one memory ? one among the many yet untold ? which Thou,. P;e't! k-'.ifc i .n : Th. E Firelight as I know Thy heart, wouldst have live on earth forever. It is of that last firelight scene by the lake, and Peter. How strange that none has told of that! They who are gone, the three who wrote of what our eyes beheld, all have told how we saw Peter in the night of his shame, when first he stood in the light of the fire. I myself have written of that, also. Alas, we are all so mindful of a brother's fall, so heedless of our Master's strong gentleness in saving! But I will still be Peter's friend ? I who gained admittance for him to the palace courtyard where that first fire was burning in the chill night. Yes, I will write one chapter more and finish the story; for two fires must shine in our gospel, and the same man stand in the light of both. Fetch me the pen, good Polycarp. Ah, thou art listening with the bright face of youth! The light in thineeyes minds me of the days when I, too, was young ? in Galilee. Come nearer, my son. He whose wrinkled hands will consecrate thee Bishop of Smyrna would talk with thee of his old friend ere he writes the last words. Hear thou the st...