seemed intent on coming to a pause over the head of some human being,
but perhaps it was because these human beings themselves were so
restless and so busy that the star could not accomplish its intent.
For Balthazar saw these men and women hurrying hither and thither on
errands of mercy, or deeds of justice; he saw them ferreting out great
wrongs, laying heavy blows on the backs of men who oppressed and
defrauded their fellow men.

At length Balthazar seemed to understand the movements of the star,
and, drawing nearer, he would seem to hear these men repeating
cheering and encouraging words to one another. "Pure religion and
undefiled," he heard one exclaiming, "is to visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the
world." And another echoed, "Inasmuch as we do it to the least of
these, we do it unto Christ."

[Sidenote: The Joy of Doing Good]

"Ah! thought Balthazar as he listened, I see the meaning of it now; I
am coming to the end of my search. The kingdom of Christ--I have found
it. It is in the deeds of men; it is in the conscience and the serving
will. Devotion to right, this is the law of the kingdom of Christ."

Then Balthazar turned to go in search of his comrades again; but
behold! the opal star was trembling, as if beckoning him on. So, still
doubting if he had reached the end of his search, he followed the
star.

[Sidenote: The Paths Converge]