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EXETER HALL.

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NEW-YORK:

THE AMEEIOAN IJTEWS OOMPAIfr;

I860.

• ' *■

151631

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by

THOMAS BROWN,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United Sfktes for the Southern District

of New- York.

■BP'^

'tea!

EXETEE HALL.

•r

CHAPTER I.

BXETKR HALL.

Exeter Hall is a very large building situ-
ated near the Strand, one of the principal
Btieets of London. It lias accommodation for
over four thousand persona, and it is the great
Protestant forum and centre of attraction for
all those who anxiously desire the spread of
the Gospel, the dissemination of Christianity,
and the evangelization of the world. It is
also the head-quarters and grand rallying-point
of those armies of prelates, preachers, pro-
fessors, missionaries, and other devoted men
who, from time to time, assert a renunciation
of the world, its pomps and vanities ; many of
whom, taking their lives in their hand, as
eager to sutler in the glorious cause, sever
social and domestic ties, and leave home and
country, to spread in distant lands and over
the dark places of the earth " the unsearch-
able riches " among the millions yet destitute,
of the degraded and perishing sons and
daughters of Adam.

Exeter Hall has a fame. Since its erection,
about 1831, no other place in the world has
attracted such crowds of social renovators,
moral philosophers, philanthropists, and Chris-
tians. Of late years, almost every great mea-
sure for the amelioration of the condition of
the human family has here had its inception,
its progress, and its triumph. Surrounded as
it is by theatres, Shakespearean temples de-
voted to the drama, or, as^ many of the reli-
gions world assert, to profane, vicious, and un-
godly purposes, Exeter Hall alone lias the
proud dintinction of being tlie great theatre
tor the concentration of Protestant Cliristian-
ity. From this great stand-point, the wisdom,
intelligence, and power of whole nations have
been Ijrought to bear against usages, systems,
and laws antagonistic to the pure faith ; and
a remedy suggested and provided for the
moral and religious destitution of the world.

But not altogether are measures purely re-
ligious enacted in this great building. Secu-
lar schemes of practical benevolence, scarcely
second in importance to any other, are here
developed ; social and national reforms are
hero patronized ; music, science, philosophy,
and literature are encouraged ; and personal,

national, and political wrongs feelingly de-
picted ; and often some British Demosthenes
will here make a stirring appeal before a
thousand freemen in behalf of an oppressed
people or down-trodden country ; and then
there is a shout for liumar rights, and in that
shout, as is always tho case, the voice of
Exeter Hall is heard over all the earth.

But it is in the genial month of May that
this great theatre displays its power, and ex-
ercises its wonted energies. Like the season,
it seems invigorated ; there is an infusion of
new life for a fresh effort, and in that effort
lie the germs which, having been generously
moistened by national dew-drops of a peculiar
kind, are sure to mature into a bountiful har-
vest. In May there is, as it were, a flowing of
the nations of the world toward its great cap-
ital ; and at that particular period the rush
through the Strand to the immense Hall is
wonderful, and its walls resound to li^e tfamp
of people of every clime and tongue. , Dele-
gates and representatives from almost every
nation under heaven th3n assemble beneath
its r<K)f. The language of every capital in
Europe is here spoken, and the utterances of
far distant tribes here recognized. The onfce
wild natives of Asia, Africa, America and the
South Sea Islands here meet in friendly coun-
cil, and are touched and softened by words of
welcome in their native tongue. The chil-
dren of the world meet and mingle, and lay
down their offerings in a common cause, and
— glorious result I — mythical ideas of origin
and superiority are then forgotten, and nation-
ality, the great idol of discord is, happily, for
the time, hurled from its desecrated pedestal,
and lies neglected or trampled in the dust.

The regular anniversary meetings of Exe-
ter Hall are looked forward to with great
interest by the religious world. Protestants
of all denominations hail the approach of
these periods with the most agreeal)le anticipa-
tion. A spirit of emulation is engendered ;
and each particular church or society makes
a strong endeavor to win pious fame on the
great platform where the representati ves of so
many creeds annually fraternize' and who on
the occasion tacitly cease doctrinal bickerings,
in order to exhibit to the skeptic and scoffer
an exemplary assiduity in the (omnion cause.
For months before this stated period the moat

EXETER HALL.

cncrprtic oflf)rtfl arc niado to accumi^late a
Biini sutRcicnit to corn'spond with the i)reimm-
cd wealth and influence of each respective
denomination. In this connection wliat is
called a " laiidahlc riv^alry" is encouraged,
and graduated honors are in due time
awarded on the credit side of the published
accounts. There are some, alas! who in
religious as well as in secular affairs, cling to
the idea tliat the most money ought to have
the mopt merit, and persons most liberal in
endowments are generally awarded the high-
est place.

To obtain as large an amount as possible,
the most thorough and ingenious methods,
have been devised. Sunday-school children
are lectured to importune for missionary
pence, and to reserve their own petty accu-
mulations of the most humble produce of
the mint for the " missionary box ;" and 8<>1-
dom indeed will either painted toy or tempt-
ing ciindy induce the juvenile collector to
•withdraw the little donation from its place of
deposit. Tlio mone> is looked nyto.: as be-
longing to the treasury of the Lord ; j n*! if
the infant Protestant mind shonld happen to
tolerate a little superstition in this respcsct, no
objection has yet been offered. A public re-
cognition of such services by children is high-
ly satisfactory to religious parents, and is nat-
urally found to be a powerful stimulus to
entice and actuate younger disciples.

Then, again, there are " Young Men's Asso-
ciations," and thwein persons are appointed
to perambulate certain places and localities
for help for the heathen — haunts and purlieus
T. here it would not be always safe and ncjver
proper for respectable religious females to be
seen.

Thus the dissipated and abandoned are
often beaonght, and, strange to say, are often
donor*^ this great fund. It may be that at
stated periods many recklessly rushing to sin
and shame feel a degree of satisfaction in
being solicited, as if the solicitation and the

Sift were still proof'), though ever so weak,
lat the poor dissipated wanderer was not as
yet disowned by society, or considenxl as
hopelessly sunk among the outcast and de-
graded.

Matrons have also an allotted task. Mature
members of wealthy mercantile companies,
ancient annuitants, gray-headed state iMsnsion-
ers, and musty otficials are sought and
softened by imjwrtunate appeals which will
ttike no denial ; and the flinty man, wrapped
up in freezing dignity, is generally unfolded,
even to prove to himself that, mummy-like
as ho may appear to others, "a heart still
throbs within his leathern breast," and that
its pulsations are yet human.

Stewards, deacons, lay-preachers, and min-
isters have ft peculiar field of labor, and are
often more successful with wtialthy or v/ell-to-
do-widows, and comfortable spinsters of an un-
certain age, than other persons. The pleading,
however, of ministerf> with all classes has a
drawing effect ; but ab their duties are too mul-
tifarious, their visits for such purposes are ne-
cesHiirily circumscribed. The potency of a
minister's influence is more particularly in a
general and pathetic appeal to r cohgregatiou.

or in private whispers at the bedside of the
man who has walked the earth for the last
time, and who, previous to settling hid last ac-
count, is earnestly reminded of his iinal and-
most important duty of *' honoring the Lord
with his substance" — it would not be needed
in the grave.

But by far the most invincible and succcs»-
ful collectors arc the young and beautiful fe-
male members of the church. Such ijcrsous
are classified as the " young lady collectors,"
and they prove themselves to be by all odds
the most daring and triumphant. In this re-
spect it has been asserted that erne young lady
is wjual to thirteen and a half gentiem(in ;
and pecuniary results have justly entitled the
adolescent of the softer sex to this proportion-
ate superiority. In collecting tours, the young
ladies generally go in pairs, the more attract-
ive and accomplished the better. As the duty
is reac'My undertaken, every suitable place is
visitt with the most unflinching determina-
tion. Shopkeepers, olHcc-clerks. young busi-
ness-men, and men of fashion — the grave and
the gay, the great and the humble, and ail
classes within reach that may with propriety
be calhid on, are made to yield to solicitations
which in nine cases out of ten are irresistible ;
and if figures are facts, the returns ever prove
that young lady collectors are far in advance
of all others in this particular line of ])ious
usefulness. The rocky, sordid hearts that can
not be softened by apostolic prayers or siglu.
siK-m to melt and bubble up beneath the mis-
sionary ft^rvor of youth anil beauty.

Thus it is, that by a v>eculiar and systematic
organization almost every individual connect-
ed with a church or religious society, from the
mere child to the man or woman with gray
hairs, may be made an active agent for the
collection of small sems for missionary or
other religious purposes, and which sums in
the aggregate annually swell to an immen&o
amount ; and thus it is that without ostenta-
tation or an appaix'nt effort the greater por-
tion of the annual princely revenue of the
British and Foreign Bible Society is obtained
from the people by a mild but detennined en-
forcement of the "voluntary principle.'

Tho orthod(« Englishman is proud of
Ex(!ter Hall. In the rustic church or great
cathedral ho had heanl of the wonderful suc-
cess of the primitive apostles, and had been
instructed in the mystic doctrines of Christian-
ity, and told of its superiority over more an-
cient Pagan creeds. Whiit) tho Bible had
been held up as the great mirror of truth, he
had bec;n ciiution<Kl against various modern
interpretations of tho " unlearnwl," leading to
false doctrine, heresy, and schism ; aud in the
sanctuary, while often bewildered by contra-
dictory tenets, it, led into amazo of doubt and
theological speculation by seeming contradic-
tory texts, in Exeter Hall he seldom or never
heard a conflicting opinion. In this place, the
history, tho contests, tho persecution, and tho
triumphs of Christianity were mapped out be-
fore his mind in interesting «?citals. There
ho had hc>ard of tho adventures of primitive
Christians in their endeavors to propagate the
" truth " in tho midst of powerful and irap»
rial heathenism ; and had been told how au-

» !»

EXETER HALL.

I-

jpist potentates bncamo enraj?ocl at the pious
innovation, and at tlie disrespect shown to tho
gods ; liow tho great Koman empire thunder-
ed forth its denunciations in fierce and lilofxly
persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan,
^[arcu8 Aurelius, and others clothed with tlic
imperial purple, down to tho reputed conver-
sion of Constantine. Hero he had heard of
the fierce contests between tho rival Ijishops
of tho Eastern and Western, or Oreek and Ro-
man Churches, and of the final establishment
of the "man of sin ;" how Ood's so-called
"vicegerent" in the fullnera of his ix)wcr
crushed with unfeeling heart, all who dared
to dispute his spiritual dictation ; how in the
pride of his assumed and terrible preeminence,
the simple minded, unoffending, and defense-
less Waldenses and Albigenses were hunted
like wild bea&ts from their humble homes, and
mutilated and slaughtered by the bloody
Montfort ; how, more than a century later,
the valleys of Piedmont were again deluged
with the blood of these poor j)eople by the
brutal Oppede. It was in this place that his
eyes were suffused with tears whfen in connec-
tion with the foregoing narrations, he first
heard, amid tho deep silence of a multitude,
the solemn but beautiful verses of the great
Milton :

"Avenge, O Lordl thy slaughtered saints whose

bones
Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold.
Even them who kept thy faith so pure of old.
When all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones,
Forget not ; in thy book record iheir groans
Who were thy sheep and in their ancient fold
8laia by the tiloody Piedmontese that rolled
Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans
The vales redoubled to the hills, and thoy
To Heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow
O'er all the Italian fields, where still doth sway
The tripled tyrant ; that from these may grow
A liundred-foUl, who having learned thy way
Uarly may lly the Babylonian woe."

Then when some fervid speaker, after having
recited these verses, would ylose his remarks
with an indignant denunciation of such cruel-
ty, the pent-up feeling of the multitude
would become liberated and significantly
audible.

In Exeter Hall tho Englishman had heard
of tho Inquisition; of its depths, its dun-
geons, its terrors, its cruelties, and its victims.
Hero, too, he had heard of the great massacre
of St. Bartholomew, and had warnings, time
after time, against the treachery and iutriguo
and cruelty of Papal Rome. Here he was
told of tho struggles of the Reformation, and
of its heroes, princely and reverend, Avho
stood out against tho imperious mandates of
the great ecclesiastical tyrant ; and as fact
after fact wrs adduced to prove that that
great convu^^ion, the violent upheaving of
an ancient d aspotism, was designed by Provi-
dence for the freedom of the human mind,
he lelt that Britain — liis own loved land — had
acted no secondary part ia reducing and
humbling the towering pretensions of so ter-
rible an enemy.

Many other religious historical facts were
there brought to his notice ; and although
tho subsequent acts of many of tho Protest-
ant reformers were, alas! of a fearful and
diabolical charact«!r, no mention was ever
made of that iniquity, nor of the unholy

secrets of that more modern inquisition — the
Protestant Star Chamber. A blush of shame
was spared, and the fraternal partiality of
Exeter Hall very wisely and prudently threw
the mantle of oblivion over all.

These tracings of a particular history, first
permanently impressed on his memory in such
a place, and under peculiar existing circum-
stances, associated with the warm, applause
awarded to strong and passionate assertions
in favor of freedom of speech, liberty of con-
science, liberty of the press, and of liberty
itself, and all identifying his native*country
as the progenitor of such ideas, may well lead
tho impulsive Englishman to revere forever
tho name of Exeter Hall.

Thus it is that at the immense meetings of
this distinguished forum, that monster organ-
ization, the British and Foreign Bible Soci-
ety, the great evangelical giant of Christen-
dom is again nourished and recuperated ; and
thus its prodigious arms are again strength-
ened and stretched out, overshadowing deserts,
oceans, islands, and continents, and only meet-
ing to inclose within its vast embrace the
whole unconverted world.

CHAPTER II.

The wild March winds had passed away,
having spent their fury over distant moor,
bleak heath, and through trembling, naked
trees. Broken, pendent branches, and piles of
drifted, withered leaves in wall angles and
hedge corners were remaining proofs of the
rough season that had followed in the dreary
track of ten thousand others of the same kind.
The distant ocean was again calm, albeit that
there might still remain on its grand surface
terrible mementoes of some fearful struggle
between the daring skill of impetuous man
and the sjill more Avild and impetuous waves,
now again wearied and slumbering in the still-
ness of immensity. The earth, too, was calm
and beautiful. The glorious day-dawn that
was drearaingly stealing from out of the night-
shadow looked like the timid virgin light of
a new i)lanetary creation; A sun-gleam tipped
the distant tree-tops, now gently stirred by the
first breath of a new morn ; tho lark in heav-
en and the song of the rushing stream on
earth, were to tho pausing and wondering
wayfaring man like whispers from a long-lost
paradise.

As it was, Hampstead never looked more
like tho original garden said to have been so
pleasing and delightful to our great progeni-
tor. Every cottage seemed imbedded in sur-
roundings of q^uiet loveliness, as its outline
became more tully developed in the new
dawn ; and every object, hill and vale, tower
and tree, rock and river, was adorned in the
soft, rosy light of tho young day.

On a gentle slope, facing the great, dim me-
tropolis beneatli, stood Heath Cottage, an
unobtrusive object in the picture. It was
in the iiuddle of a pleasant garden, around
the walls of which wore a number of fine old
trees that, scntiuel-likc, had stoud the blast

EXETER HALL.

of over a hundred winters. The houso was a
modern Btructure ; there was nothing stylish
in its architecture ; it was a plainly b'lilt, com-
fortable EDglish hoinesteacl, and sufficiently
capacious tor a family much larjjer than
that which had occupied it for many years.
There wore shade trees and neat Iieilges by
the roadside, and in front there were smiling;
flower-beds in which the crocus, hyacinth, and
tulip were already conspicuous. Shrubs and
plants and rose-trees were in profusion, and
curious little winding walks, with trim box-
wood borders, invited you i)h'a8in;rly onward
to a 8un-dia). close to which there was a mini-
ature fountain tossing up its little jet of
■pray to welcome the sunbeams, and moisten-
ing the moss-covered rock-work rising out of
the graveled space before tiie door-steps.

Ascending these steps the entrance was be-
sieged by flower pots of various shapes and
sizes ; some perched on rustic stands, and look-
ing as if determined to pop in from the eleva-
tion through the side lights, and storm the
chattering and defiant bird cages which flank-
ifd the sun-lit ]>a^sage. Ambitious young
vinos were curiously peering through the
intricate traceries around the b.iy windows nt
(Mich side of the door, and pendent stems of
ivy alternately tapped at the dormer panes that
looKed out from the steep roof.

As you entered Heath Cottage, the hall was
ornamented, embellished, or incumberetl with
quaint and incongruous articles. Besides cages
and canaries, there were pictures of London
in the olden time, engravings of the Hags
and gods of all nations; the scene of an
" Auto da fe ;" of the massacre of St. Barthol-
omew ; of a persecution of Jews by Chris-
tians, and of Quakers by Puritans ; there
were pieces of armor, war clubs from the
Sandwich Islands, a boomerang from Austra-
lia, an idol from Japan, relics from the wreck
of the Armada, and a fcAv of the smaller instru-
ments of torture from the British Star Cham-
ber and Spanish Inquisition. Many of these
strange things were suggestive of ideas not
at all pleasing or honorable to humanity, nor
creditable to the religious toleration of a for-
mer period ; and here now were hung, as
more curiosities, some of those terrible aids to
faith which could afford to the student posi-
tive illustrations of historic truth. There
were also a few specimens af mechanical or
engineering skill, such as the models of a
sljip, a bridge— the whole giving the place
a museum-like appearance.

The first door to the right led to a nent, well-
furnished parlor ; not one of the stately freez-
ing looking places where chairs and tables
and mirrors and marble are muffled up in
musty dignity, only to be exposed and made
cheerful looking on great occasions. It was
an apartment for home use, and not alone for
the reception of occasional visitors. There
was no pretense about the place ; it was what
it looked — a cottage parlor, and eveiy thing
in it was made subservient to the happiness
of home. As a proof of this, many pass-
ing Heath Cottage might be sefin treading
with slower pace in order to hear the fine
tones of the piano skillfully brought out ; or
oftener delayed to listen to soft voices mingled

in some beautiful duo, and accompanied by
that instrument. IndiM>d, many ardent lovers
of music had been heard to lemark that it
was ditficuh at times to keep from loitering
near the cottage, or to pass it by and leave so
much liarmony behind you. Opposite the
parlor was a large apartment called the
family room, from which you entered a small
but well stocked library, connected witli
which was a little room that looked out on a
patch of garden, and was well adapted for
writing or quiet study.

Behind tlie dwelling, there was a small
orchard and a summer-house covf^ed with
grape vines ; and a space of greensward for
l)lay-ground, along which you passed to the
shedb and stable. Taking it all in all. Heath
Cottage was just such a place as a person with
moderate means and limited desires might
find to be a pleasant retreat from ambitious
cares or the envy of the aspiring. Such it
had been for many years to its proprietor,
Martin Manners, who now, on this fair, first
morning of April, was looking down with
beami/ig face from one of the dormer windows
into the garden.

" What ! Merry Pop, down before me ? Oh I
I see ; you were determined to win, and I
suppose you got up before day."

'Indeed I did not. Pa; I bet that I would
be down before you on the first of April, and
here I am, ready for the wager."

" Well, here it is," and out flew a pair of
lavender gloves from the window, falling at
the feet of Mary Manners.

" Down, Flounce, down, sir !" but Flounce
would not stay. Away he gamboled with
the gloves in his mouth, over flower-beds and
bushes, until met at a corner by a delicate
looking boy, Mary's brother, who grasped
Flounce by the neck and rescued the
gloves.

" Pop," said Mr. M&nnors, " Flounce knows
this is the first of April, and wants to make
an April fool of you."

" Pa, indeed you have pampered that saucy
dog too much ; but neither he nor you shall
make a fool of me today," replied the ex-
cited girl, looking up at the window through
her beautiful brown, shining curls.

" Oh ! of course not. You're too wist\ Pop,
to be caught witli chaff— not you." Mr.
Manners then, apparently surprised, looked for
a moment at some object in front of the house,
and hastily cried, " Look, Will, look, Mary !
That surely is the identical April fool, if there
ever was one, standing at the garden gate.
Mary and her brother looked at once in thai
direction, but as the intervening trees prevent-
ed any object from being clearly seen, away
Mary started, followed by her brother ; there
was a race for the gate, then there was a dead
halt, then a pause of doubt, and then a shout
of laughter from Mr. Manners ; for instead of
there being but one April fool at the gate there
were actually tvco.

"W^ell, Martin," pettishly observed Mrs.
Manners, who had by this time got to the win-
dow, " how silly ! What an example of decep-
tion to show the children ! What value can
they place on your word ? You should be the
very last to deceive them with such an old

EXETER HALL.

wife's fable, or encouraji^e tliera to think of such
stupid nonsenHO."

"Nonsense did you say, Emma? Well, if
every fable tuat is taught for truth in this wise
and sanctimonious ago, and believed in by old-
er children, were as harmless, tliero would be
far more peace and good-will among men
and women too— ay, far more happiness. But
I must go down to tlie garden. You may tell
them to try and bo serious. I will bid them
laugh and enjoy their cheerful impulses; I
know which will make them moat happy in
the long run, nt least in this world."

In another minute Martin Mannors stood
close to the little fountain ; his cheery voice
rang through the garden like music, and
again he laughed aloud at the ruse he had so
successfully practiced. Mary and her brother
had returned, and once more the laugh was
general. Flounce, too, was springing about,
giving repeated barks of approbation as if he
knew all almat it, and was delighted at the
performance.

There was no doubt as to the heartfelt plea-
sure of the whole party, and ho must have
been a cynic indeed who could liave looked
upon the happy faces of that group and assert
that the cause of so much pleasure was a sin.

Even Mrs. Mannocs, wlio bow witnessed their
joyful meeting, and who had but just lectured
Iter husband upon his indiscretion, felt the
influence of their cheerful emotions ; and, to
appear consistent, she had to turn away quick-
ly from the window to hide from father and
chidren the smile that was then shining on
her own face.

Martin Mannors, the proprietor of Heath
Cottaj^e, was j ust past the middle age of life;,
but healthy, hearty, and joyous. His actual
years miglit number fifty-seven, yet at first
view ho looked scarcely beyond forty. He
was of medium height, squarely built, vigor-
ous, and active ; he liad a mild gray eye, and
a most benevolent expression of countenance.
" Time had not thinned his flowing hair,"
neither had it as yet 8carc<ily altered its color.
A few white-hairs, like intruders, might have
been discovered screening themselves among
his brown locks ; but only a few, the scantiest
number of the harbingers of the still far-off
winter. He wore a nuiuly beard, as nature
intended ; and if ho had reached the summit
of life's hill, he now trod the declining waj'
as cheerfully and contentedly as he had made
the ascent.

He was a person not easily disconcerted or
annoyed about any thing. If an evil befell
him, his philosophy came to the rescue, and he
would say, " It might have been -worse." Al-
though comparatively indifterent about him-
self, he felt most acutely for the wants or
afflictions of others ; these, he would say, were
the particular thorns that made his life most
unhappy ; and he always asserted that poverty
in the abstract was the certain result of social
injustice ; and that crime, to a great extent,
was the consequence. He was fortunate, how-
ever, in being placed beyond the contingencies
of want ; as the recipient of a liberal annuity,
he was possessed of sufficient means to secure,
for himself and those depending on him a
great share of the good tlunga of this life ;

besides, he had a vested interest in Heath Cot-
tage, and being a person careful and prudent
in every expenditure, lie was not at uU likely
to suffer from pecuniary difficulties. Having
had the benefit of a good education, he w.vs
still more fortunate. He was a great reader,
and devoured the contents of books on almost
every ordinary subject with the greatest arid-
ity. For him one side of a question was
never sufficient ; each proposition or idea was
mentally handled and scrutinized, and viewed
at every point before he came to a decision ;
and every assertion, or opinion, ©r theory, or
doctrine, ;io matter how trivial or profound,
how now or how old, how popular or con-
demned, had to undergo its ordeal of investi-
gation in his mind before he either accepted
or rejected it as truth or error. For truth ho
seemed willing to make any sacrifice; and
the boldness of his statements relative to
many of our most venerable and cherished
ideas often startled the timid doubter, and
many times engendered in the minds of some
stiff-necked worshippers of traditionary or
hereditary opinions a feeling of haughty
scorn or of actual enmity.

Apart from more abstruse subjects he had
a fine appreciation of music, painting, and
poetry ; in fact, he readily cultivate I every
thing most refined and intellectual in art or
science, and his judgment in these matters
was considered sound and conclusive. Such
was Martin Mannors ; kind, humane, and just ;
a man of cwaprehensive mind and boldness of
though!^ Ae who never sought to obtrude
his opidhM^^udely, but who, singly and alone,
was everWtuiy to defend them before a thou-
sand opponents. Far and around he was
known and respected ; he was regarded by the
poor and unfortunate as a true, sympathizsing
friend, and his name was a passport to the
hearts of toiling men. But though he was
idolized a^^qme, and loved by many, being
intellectual^^ advance, and a '' skeptic" in
theology, as l^onsequence, he too had ma-
ligners and enemies.

Mrs. Mannors was, in many respects, as un-
like her husband as it was possible to ima-
gine. She was comely in person and kind in
disposition. She loved her husband and chil-
dren and home ; and she had the reputation
of being generous to the deserving, and chari-
table to the poor, and was justly regarded as
a very exemplary person in most things.
But intellectually she fell far beliind ; it was a
trouble for her to think. Ready-made ideas,
particularly if the emanations of some reve-
rend Spurgeon or popular Boanerges of the
church militant, were by her readily adopted
and held sacred. She had a religious mania;
and the sanctuary was her gate to heaven,
and the homo of her strongest affections.
Reason, she asserted, had particular and c'r-
cumscribod limits, and fmth was the great
point upon which her fondest hopes centred
and turned.

From her earlier years she had been train-
ed to regard the world ub a vale of tears, and
to consider earthly things as of little con-
sequence, and every moment of time spent
on earth as scarcely sufficient to secure the
promised enjoyments of a futurd'State. Peri-

EXETER HALL.

odically, bowever, sho was a busy bustling
woman in ordinarj affaire, but generally an
enthusiast in religion ; so much so, that shu
very often soeraed to forget or neglect some
of the duties of life, and to resign many of
the pleasures of earth for the purpose of so-
curing the inconceivable happiness of hea-
ven.

To this end sho became a strict Methodist ;
she joined the church, attended class-meet-
ings ■ sho would quote and lecture and pray
in church and at home, in season and out of
season, and found frequent opportunities to
beseech some ungodly friend or acquaintance
" to flee from the wrath to come." She was a
collector of funds for churches, missionaries,
Bibles, tracts, and tea-meetings ; and next to
herself she cousidered her husband as the
"chief of sinnere," and running blindly to his
own destruction. She had cautioned and ad-
monished him time after time, but, alas ! so
far without effect ; ho could not perceive his
danger ; on the contrary, he told her he was
happy enough, he knew nothing of the sin-
fulness of sin, and often after she had dis-
coursed to him in her most serious and tear-
ful mood, he would laugh at the terrors wluch
she had portrayed for his edification.

As a matter of duty sho tried to impress on
the minds of her children the value of relig-
ion and the worthlessness of the world. Be-
sides leading them to the sanctuary, she had
itheir memory crowded with catechetical ques-
tions and answers, and with a multitude of
ttexts and pious verses. Sho had done Lor
duty in this respect, and there was no inter-
ference on the part of her husband ; but, alas !
all her well meant efforts were undesignedly
counteracted.

Mary Manners, now in her seventeenth year,
was, lilie her father, naturally hopeful and joy-
ous. She was of medium size, and had beau-
tiful brown hair that hung ia trapses around
her graceful neck. Her eye vu»$. clear mild
blue, and her face singularly pleasing and at-
tractive. Her education had not been neglect-
ed, and her mind was stored with a fair sliarc
of general knowledge. She had a fine voice,
and could sing and play with the most ex-
quisite taste and feeling. Her manner was
quite unaffected; and now, as sho was just
budding into womanhood, her maidenly at-
tractions were increased by a most affectionate
and confiding disposition, and she looked and
spoke and acted with an honest boldness that
made her almost irresistible. She was an es-
pecial favorite with her father, and was like
him in thought and disposition, and she con-
sidered him unequaled. Her brother Wil-
liam, her junior by about four years, was con-
stitutionally delicate. He was a slight, frail
boy, with a feminine cast of countenance.
His face was handsome, yet without tlie force
of expression, which made the contrast be-
tween him and his sister so great. In man-
ner he was mild and affectionate, and was the
idol of his mother, who evinced the greatest
anxiety on account of his health. Altogether
he was a tender plant, which requ'^ed particu-
lar care.

Mary and he were almost inseparable.
"When he could not attend school, she wa,s not

only his companion but his preceptress ; and
under hor tender tuition he often made greater
progress tlian by the direction of the best mas-
ter. His father was most indulgent ; and when
the spring days grew warm and fine, ho and
Mary and William, and always, Flounce would
ramble for miles away over sunny hills and
through green meadows ; and, when tired,
would sit by some cUiar stream to hear its
murmure as it wandered along on its way
through shadow and sunshine. Ah me ! these
were pleasant rambles, pleasant to be remem-
bered in long, long after years, and to bo
hung like some fair picture in the memory.

As for Mr. Mannors, ho had not for many
years attended a place of worehip. He had
made a stud/ of theology ; and, having pierced
its very depths, seemed to have discovered
something unsightly and then to have reject-
ed its principles forever. Mrs. Mannors there-
fore felt it the greater necessity to be punctual
heiself, and a stronger adherent to the faith ;
but it was not always that she could st!cure
the attendance of her children. Mary, as if
by intuition, seemed able to comprehend the
motive which too often actuated others. In
her own quiet way sho was a close observer,
and she used to remark that a hundred at-
tended church as a fashionable pastime for
every one tliat went to pray. Slie, like her
father, did not object to have her acts and mo-
tives fully understood. She did not care to be
the slave of a popular mania, or to follpw in
the footsteps of a gayly dressed hypocritical
multitude as a matter of policy ; neither did
she heed the censure of the self-righteous or
the uncharitable insinuations of church-going
adherents. When she bowed her head, it was
from the impulse of the heart ; and often when
she had been obliged to conform to the pro-
vailing mode of frivolous worship, reason
gave its silent rebuke, and then she would
wish to be with loved ones at home ; or away,
wandering through green lanes or on plea-
sant mossy banks, or by some gentle stream,
clear and pure as her own thoughts.

On bright Sabbath mornings, if William
pleaded indisposition, another ramble was
sure to be the remedy ; this was always sug-
gested in preference to a drive — confinement
in church being urged as injurious — and
there surely could be no impropriety in steal-
ing quietly away to the pure air on the hills.
On such occasions it was useless for poor Mrs.
Mannors to oppose. She might and she did of-
ten murmur her disapprobation that the Sab-
bath services should be neglected ; but her
kind motherly feelings could relax religious
discipline, and many times as she gave her re-
luctant consent, she would wistfully follow
them ^vith her eyes, as hand in hand they
took their departure.

Mrs. Mannors had, however, one great com-
fort in the religious companionship of an old
and faithful maid servant named Hannah ; a
creature fimple minded, guileless, and confid-
ing. Hannah had read and re-read the Bible,
and ventured to profess that she imderstood it ;
and alhough there were texts and passages in
that book with regard to which she could form
no intelligent or satisfactory conclusion, yet,
with her mistress, she would boldly assert

EXETER HALL.

til

that tho wholo was plain nn(i cosily nnder-
Btood, and that th«i "' wayfaring man.thoujrli a
fool, neod not iTr therein." She, too, had read
with poHitive deliglit tho Pilgrim's ProgrenH.
That Hiniilitudo, and the Btory of the trials
and temptations of poor Christian, had for
her a special attraction. Slie generally kept
this prized little volume within reach ; it
seenietl to he her chief study, and were she
asked to really chooHe between the Bible and
John Banyan's PUf/riin, in her heart of hearts
Bhe would ciioose tho latter.

Hannah almost worshiped her mistress;
she was her id(;al of perfection. She wonder-
ed at her jiatience and long-suHering ; ehe
wondered at the faith that could still bear her
up and lead her to hope for tho conversion of
her husband and the rescue of her dear chil-
dren. As for Mr. Manners, she considered
him a fit subject for the united prayers of
God's peoplt!. He was, however, to her a kind
friend and master, and in all other things ex-
cept his duty to Ciod a fair and worthy exam-
ple to men. But in his present state ho was
a " barren fig-tree," iinregenerate, and under
tho curse of the law, as she believed that
every worshiper of our benighted reason
must be.

Maid and mistress were, however, toward
each other what tho Scripture says " iron is to
iron." In fact it might be said that they had
their own '.vay in matters secular as well as rc-
ligous. They alone consulted about or regula-
ted household affairs, as well as planned relig-
ious tea-meetings or donation parties. Tliey
concerted plans respecting missions or Mag-
dalenes, and to bring the " word" to her very
hearth-stone, at the suggestion of Hannah
Mrs. Mannors had decided that her house
should be the head quarters for the next ju-
nior preacher appointed to the Hampstead cir-
cuit. This suggestion was looked upon as
an interposition in answer to prayer ; for,
thought Mrs. Mannors, " as neither my prayers
nor any thing I can say seem to have any ef-
fect uiK)n my husband, perhaps the Lord might
reach his heart through the lips of one of his
chosen servants."

It therefore might be said that Mrs. Man-
nors was religiously afflicted. Slie morbidly
fancied that the love of her children, the
many comforts of home, the bright sunshine,
the song of birds or the odor of flowers,
were like snares ready to draw her aside from
the narrow and thorny way in which she fan-
cied a Christian should travel. Yet as a mor-
tal she felt the " unholy attraction" of these
things ; and in the contest between her human
fecling.s and her faith, she had often to bewail
the cijldneps of her spiritual love, and the fligh-
ty, tiicktiring light of her endurance. This
condition was often aggravated by tho follow-
ing favorite texts : " He that loveth father
or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and he that loveth sou or daughter more
than mo is not worthy of me." Matt. 10 : 37.
"If any man come to me and hate not his fath-
er and mother, and wife and children, and
brothers and sisters, yea his own life also, he
can not bo my disciple." Luke 14 : 26. These
texts and others of similar import were the
cause of sure trials to Mrs. Mannors. There

was often and often, even when it was least
exiKJCted, a sullen strife between the teachings
of tlie word and thct impulses of her nature,
and it led her tlirough much tribulaticm. But
did not the saints glory in tribulations V Hero
was comfort. Alas ! alas ! how little did she yet
know of afflictions. If " tribulation worketh
patience," what comfort would it bring to hef
were sho to lose her gentle, delicate son!
Dreadful thought I Or her fair, joyous daugh-
ter? and oh — sorrow of sorrows — were she
called upon to part forever with her dear hus-
band, even though the spirit of God had strick-
en the scales from his eyes and changed his
heart ; even though he were snatched like a
brand from tho burning, or raised forever
from out of the " horrible pit and miry clay !"
What would this avail her in that hour of
dread tribulation, were she left to behold
those dear eyes closed forever in death, and
to know with terrible certainty that the pul-
sations of that tender, loving heart had for-
ever ceased ? Even now the very thought of
these tribulations was fearful — nature had
again its triumph — and as a woman, wife, and
mother Mrs, Mannors buried her face in her
hands and wept.

Fortified as she was with numerous com-
forting passages from tho Bible, yet the
thought of such possible affliction was almost
overwhelming. In vain had she prayed for
strength. The thought of such a calamity
would recur again and again, leaving her
greatly depressed ; and now, on this fair April
morning her mind was thus clouded. Her
husband had left her but a short time ; she
looked from her chamber upon the bright sky
and pleasant earth, aud father and daughter
and son were still in the garden. Their laugh-
ter had ceased, and the traditionary April fool
was again forgotten. They stood silently
hand in hand in the soft fresh radiance of the
spring morning, looking intently at some dis-
tant oijject. Sove the hum of tlie bee, or the
song of a bird, there was almost perfect still-
ness ; even Flounce with drooping head dozed
quietly behind, as if spell-bound.

The view from the dormer window of Mrs.
Manner's apartment was very fine London
and its churclies, its steeples, and its thousands
of habitations were seen in the mazy distance,
together with the dim outlines of the Surrey
hills, and the silver Thames threading and
glittering on its winding way to the ocean.
Now, indeed, there was a change. A cloud or
pall of smoke which had settled during the
preceding night was completely spread over
the vast city beneath, hiding the distant hills
and burying the highest towers and steeples.
Like (Jomorrali, the whole city seemed to have
been blotted out from the face of the earth ;
but there was one object yet visible and at-
tractive. The morning sun had just risen
over tho lost city, and had spread its beams far
and wide over its murky shroud. The great
gilt cross on the dome of St. Paul's alone tow-
ered up to the sunlight, flashing and glittering
in tho patii of clear sky around it. As it thus
appeared, it was a peculiar object of beauty to
the little group of spectators in the garden ;
but to Mrs. Mannors it was as a vision, working
on her feelings of awe and veneration. The

EXETER HALL.

bright crops was then to her like some apostol- j
ic representfttion, or like another Abraham
with outstretched arms silently pleading, "yet |
again," for the doomed city nd its denounced
inhabitants.

CHAPTER III.

It is well known that the Rpv. John Wes-
ley, the celebrated founder of that popular sys-
tem of religion called " Methodism," was a
man of the most indomitable perseverance.
No person could have been better fitted for the
task which he had i ertaken — the reform of
the Established Chuicu.

What Luther was to Catholicity, John Wes-
ley was in a great measure to Protestantism ;
and the little offshoot which he unostentatious-
ly planted in Britain has already s^ ead its
branches nearly over the whole earth.

He was eminently a man for tho time. The
IKJtentates of the national church, surfeited
in luxury and indulgence, were too much ab-
sorbed in courtly adulation, or too much en-
gaged in political intrigue, to pay any great
attention to the common pastors, and little
indeed to the common people. The grandees
of the Establishment had then, as tliey have
now, their parliamentary authority for eccle-
siastical usurpation, and for their lauded and
pecuniary riglits independent of the clamors
of the toiling multitude. The ohurch was the
pillar of state, and the state wa j the support of
the church ; and on theg^ props rested, and
perhaps still rests, the grand fabric of the
British Constitution.

Wlif-t cared the "Lords spiritual" for the
murmurs of the dissatisfied populace ? They,
the regal parasites, never sympathized with
the discontented. What cared the titled and
wealthy dignitaries and beneficiaries of the
English " church militant" for the bodies or
souls of their raeniaj flock ? The cloi ;nants to
apostolical succession seemed to satisfy their
conscience by the rigid performance of one
particular duty — the inculcation of tlie texts —
" Fear God ; honor the king ;" " Obey them
that have rule over you, and submit your-
selves ;" and if any farther exercise was
required it was concentrated in one grand
effort — to take care of themselves.

John Wesley, .though a humble and sub-
missive minister of the Establishment, antl one
who always coi;tended for its superiority, was
a man of kindly feeling, possessing a deep
sympathy for the large number of neglected
people, members of the church ; and he be-
wailed the 8j)iritual destitution of the whole
nation. His candid suggestions to his supe-
riors were rejected with pompous and official
disdain ; and though he was grieved to take
one step in advance of those whose duty it
was to lead, yet he took that step, and did
what he considered requisite to mature a good
project, and with what success the Methodism
of the present day can fully attest. He start-
ed almost alone, and with but one greatobject
in view — the s]iiritual benefit of his fellow-
men ; and if it cuu bo said that his efforts in
this respect were n.isdirected, it must also be

said that no man was ever more truly honest
and sincere. His self-denial was wonderful,
and his labors were great ; and were he to
recount his struggles and trials, he might
with an apostle have truly said : " In journey-
ings often, in perils of waters, in perils of rob-
bers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in
perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in
perils in tlie wilderness, in perils in the sea, in
perils among false brethren; In weariness
and painfulness, in watchings often, in hun-
ger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and
nakedness." Sucli a spirit was destined to
overcome all opposition, and his triumph was
in a great measure complete.

Among otljer peculiarities, it was the habit
of the Rev. Mr. Wesley to record in a journal
every circumstance of any note that took
place during the day ; this he continued to do
for many years. In his numerous journeyings
by land and sea, he made entries respecting
the state of his mind, and of his trials, temp-
tations, conversations, correspondence, and
reading. But there were other entries which
were more particularly dwelt upon, such as
strange mental impressions, premonitions,
interpositions, or any event which might un-
der the influence of enthusiasm, or in the
light of his reputed credulity, be construed
into a special act of Providence.

Nearly all through his jonrnals many en-
tries of this kind are recorded, and many in-
deed giving minute details entering deeply
into the S'^pernatural or spiritual. Some of
these relations are strangely curious and
interesting, and to this day " Wesley's Jour-
nals" occupy a prominent place in the library,
or on the bookshelf of every studious Method-
ist.

Following the practice of their pious foun-
der, it is common among members of the Wes-
leyan societies to keep similar journals. The
preachers of the primitive body, for many
years after the decease of Mr. Wesley, made it
a point of duty to erect these spiritual memo-
rials, and the duty was looked on by many as
highly beneficial, and almost considered a
special " means of grace ;" and often in the •
declining yysrs of life, the qiiiet perusal r '
those records would remind the aged Chi
tian of the earlier trials which had beset him,
and of the many spiritual triumphs that en-
couraged him on his way.

But if it is yet common to keep such jour-
nals, it is by no means general. Those who
now continue it as a duty are not princi-
pally of " such as are called to minister in
sacred things." The practice in vhis respect
seems to have been revcrsea ; formerly it was
the preacher, now it is mostly the private
member. In the struggling days of Method-
ism, the preachers weie spiritual Sampsons,
humble minded, energetic, and devoted men ;
but many of their successors ft the present
time are like an enurely new race ; they feel
the ettects of iheir " connectional " influence ;
they have become more aspiring and lofty in
thought, and are busy courting jwpularity
and ))olitical influence, estalilishing "foreign
missions," striving for an eminence in lead-
ing popular schemes, or planning how to
obtain money to erect richly decorated and

I .i

EXETER HALL.

attractive churches, cr to circumambulate the
globe, ill order that tlieir teachinga and reli-
f3fioua discipline may take precedence of all
others. It is now conceded that Methodiet
preachers are by Tar the most systematic and
successful class of Protestant benfgars in all
Christendom.

Several of the leading preachers of that
Kect now choose to be known as " ministers"
or " clergymen," and who, with the prefix of
" Rev." or " Doctor" to their names, are to a cer-
tain extent as towering in pretension and as
arrogant in authority as their more learned
and aristocratic brethren of the national
church — the real " successors of the apostles."
There are, however, noble exceptions in the
ranks of Methodism — men who do not assume
a higher position in the church or in society
thaii. that held by their laborious predecessors,
and who are still content to be recognized as
"preachers," and indifferent, as to whether
they are called upon to deliver the " word of
life" from the richly cushioned pulpit, tower-
ing up beneath the ifilt and stuccoed ceiling
of a fashionable marble edifice, or from behind
tlie rude chair in the remote and humble cot-
tage of the peasant.

It is yet correct to state that many private
members, and it may be some preachers, still
adhere to the old practice of Mr. Wesley,
and profess to find the keeping of a daily rec-
ord very beneficial, and an incentive to good
works.

In this particular, Mrs. Mannors followed
the example of the venerable founder of her
church. The religious services of the Method-
ists are, in some respects, if not novel, at
least very singular. Among tliese services,
one of a peculiar nature is kn«>wn as " class,
meeting." A class is composed of five or six,
or may be of a dozen, actual members of the
society, in good standing. Every such class
has its " leader " — a person who has been well
tried and approved, and one of known experi-
ence in "holy things," appointed to meet
these members at stated jwriods. At such
meetings, each member is personally addressed
by the leader, and is required to express in his
own way the dealings of Ciod with his soul,
and to give a brief account of his or her reli-
gious experience since they last mot. As
each individual concludes, the leader gives a
few appropriate words of admonition or en-
couragement, and generally reconmiends a
great(!r attention to prayer, and a closer ob
Bervance of some duty hitherto neglected.

The leader of the class of which Mrs. Man-
nor.s was a member strongly urged the duty
of watchfulness ; and, as a means of detection,
advised that each member should if possible
keep a journal, and daily make therein such
entries respecting trials, temptations, and sug-
gestions from the E. il One, as might bo deem-
ed applicable. Mrs. Mannors, therefore, kept
a journal, and noted for her perusal every in-
cident or Muitter which her feelings led her to
think miglit affect her 8piritun,l interest ; and
the er.try made by her on the first day of
April was as follows :

" April Ist. — This morning was again blest
In believing. Oh! for moie faith. Would
that the faith of the saints were given to un-

believers ! I still hope. God's arm is not
shortened ; his power is still great, even to the
sending of signs and visions. This morning
his glorious cross was visible to my mortal
eyes. Satan would have it a delusion ; but I
will believe." Then followed these lines from
one of Wesley's hymns : >

" Lift up for all mankind to see,
The standard of their dying God,
And point them to the .shameful tree.
The cross all stained with hallowed blood."

Although it was not unusual to see a vast
cloud of smoke stretching over London, suffi-
cient even at times almost to hide the tops of
the higliest steeples, yet it was an uncommon
sight indeed to find the city so completely
hidden as it appeared to be that morning — the
lone cross the only distinct object. To the
natural philosopher it was a beautiful sight ;
it was very much so to Mr. Mannors and his
companions. There was no mystery to them
about the matter ; even William, if asked by
his father, could have given an explanation of
the appearance and the atmospheric cause.
But to his mother it was something more.
Her mind was strongly impressed that she
had been jiermitted to behold a vision, and she
felt certain that some revelation or promise
was thereby intended for her special edifica-
tion.

During a long period of th« religious ca-
reer of Mrs. Mannors, she had often had
dreams and visions of a singular and impres-
sive character. In seasons of active religious
duty and continued prayer, she would go forth
in dreams to Calvary, on which the cross and
Saviour would be for her again erected ; she
would give a minute description of his person
and tell of the benignant smile that he be-
stowed on her. Then again she would re-
late some curious interposition; and a cir-
cumstance that might pass entirely unnoticed
at other times would at these particular peri-
ods be traced to the hand of a special provi-
dence. It appeared, therefore, that her mind
was occasionally besnt by illusions; and
during certain periodical religious excite-
ments, she ate and drank, or walked about, or
slept, in hourly expectati<m of being the cho-
sen bearer of some supernatural bunlen.

When she entered the breakfast room that
morning, her reason was evidently perplexed
by the vivid feelings which then had the con-
trol. Mr. Mannors, who at once noticed the
appearance of anxious excitement depicted on
her face, iind who always felt and manifested
the most tender interest respecting her, laid
his hand gently on her shoulder and said:

" My dear, 1 think you did Avrong by follow-
ing our example, and leaving your room so
early."

Mr. Mannors was seated on a sofa, and her
looks certainly betrayed the strong emotions
which affected her at the moment ; she tried
to ap.iear calm, but her anxiety was plainly
visible Mary and William sat close to her,
and wt re impulsive echoes of what their fa-
ther had just saia.

" You know, Ma," said Mary, " that Pa, and
I, and William agreed to be up very early
this morning. Pa wagered that he would be
in the garden first, and William and I agreed

EXETER HALL.

ill

that whichever of us awoke soonest should
call the other, so that we should got out before
Pa ; but I think Pa would have won only for
the plan which William took."

" The way I did. Ma, I saw Robert last even-
ing in the stable, and I knew that be intended
to drive to Camden very early. I told him to
call me as soon as he could see the dawn, so
he did ; then I called Mary ; that was how she
won tlie glomes. No doubt Pa wondered
how we outgeneraled him. Wasn't my
plan a good one, Ma ?"

This hurried account of how the wager
was won was but so many cheerful words,
spoken as much to attract the attention of
Mrs. Manners and amuse her, in order that
the settled gravity of her looks might grad-
uplly brighten into the wished for parental
Bmile of approval. To efl'ect this with cer-
tainty, they went on without a pause to mo-
nopolize the conversation.

" See, Ma,"8aid Mary, pulling out her gloves,
"are not these pretty? This is my wager."

Then the story of the April fool was related ;
but while Mrs. Mannors seemed to listen, it
was plain that her thoughts were preoccupied ;
she looked wistfully from one to the other, but
Baid not a word.

"Are not these beautiful?" said William,
presenting his motlier with a bunch of fresh
spring flowers. " See what a nice bouquet I
have brought you !"'

He began to arrange them in a small vase ;
and when done, he i)layfully held it toward
his mother's face in order to have her catch
the perfume.

The breakfast room of Heath Cottage looked
*hat morning a pleasing picture in a happy
home. The table neatly set ; the white cloth,
the shining cups, and the polished kettle. The
chairs, sofa, and other articles in the room
stood around as if they were enjoying thcm-
Belves, and determined to exhibit to the best
advantage their glistening outlines in the sun-
shine that flooded the whole apartment.

It did look like homo. Mary's little straw
hat lay on the sofa where she hurriedly tossed
it as she rushed in, laughing, chased by lier
brother ; and now as she stood before them
she looked as beautiful inside of the house as
the fair spring morning did outside. No
three beings could have been apparently
more happy — poor Mrs. Mannors alone being
the shadow. Here she was surrounded with
cheerfulness and worldly comforts, loved and
waited on by thosoMvho would have been de-
lighted to add to her happiness ; but she was
not l.ippy; and as you looked at her now,
Beate.l demurely at the table, you would liave
ever moment expected to hear her sigh out :
" Alas, alas I all is vanity."

"O Mai" said Mary, as if suddenly re-
collecting, "if you had only been in the
garden you would have had a most mag-
nificijnt view. You know the city is very
often hidden by the immense volume of
snioke that desc'ends during the night. Well,
this morning in particular, London was
as completely lost to our sight as if it had
been swallowed up in the ocean ; and as you
looked away, a'vay, in the seeming boundless
distance, you could eeo the sunbeams centre

on the dome of St. Paul's, and the great cross
being the only object visible might be easily
fancied a light-house far, far out at sea. We
all declared that it was singularly attractive
I do wish. Ma, you had seen it.".

" My dear child," said Mrs. Mannors, " why
let your fancy interfere \\ ith an appearance
that God probably called forth, and intended
as a sign of liis good-will and of his long-suf-
fering and forbearance? I saw the hallowed
object from the window ; 1, too, saw the sacred
emblem of our religion, so much despised by
the world, exalted on high in the blesscMl
sunlight, and pointing to heaven while the
world beneath seemed buried in iniquity.
A revelation from God is not an impossi-
bility even at the present day ; his elect have
proof of this. We have now the clear light
of his sacred word, and if this fails-r-as, alas !
it too often does — he may in his mcx'cy and
loving-kindness give us even again signs and
tokens as he did of old. If ^ur hearts con-
tinue to stray from him, he may use extraordi-
nary means to wean us from the world. If
we remain stilf-neckcd and stubborn, instead
of the cross, held up as a token of his love,
we may but witness the fierce lightning of
his indignation. God's special providence
may have produced a sign and a token this
morning for us ; let us not look on it as a triv-
ial occurrence. HoW often are we warned in
dreams and visions of the night. The cross
which we but am hour since witnesst d is the
emblem of Christianity, and was no aoubt, in
my mind, a special token for us. By that
blessed token, the Almighty has often with
great condescension converted others ; by that,
a persecuting Paul, and the debased and
heathen emperor Constantino, were brought
to a saving knowledge of the truth. We have
just had an evidence of divine interposition ;
then let us not neglect the great salvation."

As she spoke, any evidence of gloom that
might have been previously traced on her
countenance had now entirely disappeared.
Her face brightened u]), and was overspread
with a sudden flush ; but there was something
inexpressible" in her eye, pnvuething that
would have bo( n once mistaken as prophetic.
She was again calm, and what she had
expressed was sjwken with great sincerity and
aft'cction. Her mind had been overcharged
with strangely inisshiipen ideas, and, as tho
words fell from her lips, the numtal burden
seemed to become lighter and lighter.

" I will not dispute with you, my dear," said
TNFr. Mannors, " as to what tlie Scrijitures state
rcjpecting the miraculous light St. Paul is said
to have witnessed ; you firmly believe in what
you call tho 'written word, ' and would not
allow a doubt concerning it to exist in your
mind. Were 1 fully competent, it might per-
haps be useless for me to try and afl'ect your be-
lief relative to that mid-day vision."

" Indeed, it would. I am as satisfied of the
truth of what tlie New Testament relates as to
tho conversion of St. Paul as I am of the truth
of my own existence. There is not a passage
nor even o word recorded in that holy book, but
has my fidl and entire belief; and to listen to
any evidence against its inspired statements
would be only soliciting and welcoming a

EXETER HALL.

temptation from the evil one. If we are to go
on doubtinf; according to the foolish sugges-
tions of our blind reason, morality, religion,
and faith would soon disappear, and leiw'e the
world in midnight darkness." •Jr

" The very strong assertions which you have
just made," rejoined Mr. Manners," must for-
ever debar you from investigation; and if you
always adhere to tlie expressions you have used
respecting Scriptural truth, you must ever re-
main bouiid to a belief that would now be
t('rrtl)ly embarrassing to some of the most
prominent teachers of tlie Christian faith. I
need scarcely inform you that many eminent
(-'ommcntators, who have made it the study
of their lives to explain and reconcile conflict-
ing texts, admit its impossibility, and confess
themselves exceedingly peri^lexed with the
numercHis interpolations and contradictory
passages which they have discovered in the
Bil>le. There are, for instance, gross discrepan-
cies iy..the inspired accounts of Paul's conver-
sion ; and you are already aware that Luther,
the great apostle of the Reformation, totally
rejected as spurious the entire Revelation of
St. Jolm — the last ticenty-}wo chapters of the
New Testament.

" But I have no desire at present to give you
iostances of other doubts which have been
raised against the credibility of the Scriptures.
I would like to call your attention to histori-
cal facts in relation to the supposed conver-
sion of Constantino.

" Are you satisfied that the legend about
Constantino and the cross has any foundation
in fact ? Do you believe the story of the sign
■which is said to have appeared to him in the
heavens, bearing the motto, 'By this con-
quer' V Do you really believe that this repu-
ted miraculous vision was the cause of the
heathen Emperor's conversion to Chris-
tianity "i"

" I have no reason, nor have I any right, to
doubt it. The most eminent men of that
period were satisfied of its truth ; and even to
the present day many of the most learned
and faithful of the church of God have, time
after time, related the story for general belief.
We should not undervalue the Bible because
there are or may be difliereut interpretations
of it. The Scriptures warn us against ' per-
verse teacliings ; ' for we know that even
ministers of religion have tried to twist the
true meaning of the word to accommodate
their own vi(nvs. As for Lutlier's opinion of
tlio Apocalypse, I care but little ; he was but
an erring num, his acts were not always de-
fensible. He was at tiuK^s a skeptic, and
would have been a persecutor."

" Well, I shall not contend with you now as
to why religious doctors will differ so widely
respecting what they assert in the press and
pulpit to be so easily understood. You are
inclined to accept as truth the relation about
Constantine ; but if we allow our feelings or
imjiressions to bo the foundation of an opin-
ion, we are very likely to be deceived. Long
before that emperor circulated the account of
the ai)pearance which ho said he had seen in
the htavens, the heathen multitude were
taught to believe that ho was permitted to
behold with mortal eyes the visiblo majesty

of their tutelar deity, and that whether wak-
ing or in visions — which were then quite com-
mon — he was blessed with the auspicious
omens of a long and victorious reign.*
Tiiese are historical words ; and it is therefore
plain tliat visions were not a novelty to Con-
stantine whenever he found that they could
be of personal or political service. The mi-
raculous view of the cross had in reality but
little eflect upon himself. The common im-
pression is, that he immediately became a re-
fonnetl man — that is, a Christian ; but liistory
relates that he lived for many years after-
ward, and alternately encouraged lieathen-
ism and Christianity, and that it was only
during his last illness that he actually receiv-
ed Christian baptism. Constantine was a
dissembler and a monster of cruelty. He
drowned his unoffending wife Fausta in a
bath of boiling water ; and the very year in
which it is said he presided at the council of
Nice, he beheaded his eldest son Crispus. He
murdered the husbands of his sisters Constan-
tia and Anastasia; he murdered his father-
in-law, and his nephew, a boy only twelve
years old, and murdered others. Then, again,
he caused the destruction of the Pagan priest,
Sopater, who honestly refused the remorse-
less, royal murderer the List consolations of
heathenism; and then, because he was
promised immediate forgiveness through
(/hrist, ho warmly espoi;sed Christianity.
Such, then, is the historical character given of
the man whom Christians are taught to re-
vere ; the man to whom it is said that Chris-
tianity owes its legal establishment. Ho was
cruel and rapacious, a heathen one day and a
Christian the next ; and his name at last be-
came infamous as an unfeeling, dissimulating
tyrant and heartless murderer.

So much, then, for the great convert and his
vision. I was as much pleased with the ap-
pearance of the sliining cross which was vis-
ible to us this morning as it was possible for
me to have been. It was a beautiful sight, but
beyond that it was nothing. You believe it
was a vision, a special appearance for our edifi-
cation; no doubt that is your impression. But
why are wo not all impressed alike ? If God
really intended to manifest himself to us by a
sign, it is only reasonable to suppose that
he would have made the evidence so satisfac-
tory that there could remain no shadow of
doubt as to its object. What is evidence to
one may not bo so to another. You can no more
believe for me than you can breathe for me.
Genuine belief is not a voluntary act ; it is the
result of thought and patient investigation.
If I, therefore, can not believe that the Almigh-
ty manifested himself to us this morning by
a sign, your fancied vision is a failure as far as
/am concerned."

The conversation now related took place
during the time occupied at breakfast. Mr.
Manners expressed himself with unusual
earnestness ; he spoke as if he felt that every
word was truth, and that truth must be
spoken, no matter what the consequence ; and
were it not that he thought it might bo pain-
ful to givd his wife other similar proofs of the

* Gibbon'8 Roman IIlBt.

EXETER HALL.

irS,

IH!!

vile character of men imposed upon the credu-
lous and siuiple as bein^ the sanctified lathers
of tlie churcli, he would have done so. Many
instances of the treachery and deceit of such

EBrsons occurred to him, but he felt that he
ad said enough ; he knew by experience that
it was useless to confine Mrs. Mannors to fair
argument. Her controversial method was na-
ked assertion ; and if she listened to an oppo
nent, it was often as if in pity for his pre-
sumed ignorance and unbelief.

Mary and her brother were quiet listeners
to what had been said ; she did not wish to
make any remark for or against the opinions
or statements advanced. Mrs. Mannors had
also listened, as it were, thoughtfully, .<ind with
unusual patience. She firmly believed in the
honesty of her husband's convictions. She
knew that he never dealt in rash assertions, or
in unkind remarks. What he said she knew
he believed, and if he acted in any other way
he would be untrue to his own character. She
would hear what he said, painful as it might
be to listen ; and while he reasoned with her,
she would menially pray for his enlighten-
ment ; she would ever hope and wait until the
Lord's good time. She had great faith that
if the inspired word could prevail with the
heathen.and the ignorant and poll uted, that her
husband and her dear children, though un-
clean, debased, and condemned by original sin,
would be yet brought to a saving knowledge
of the truth. To her, in her fond affection,
they were as superior beings, and she had an
idea that the Lord would look upon them as
such, and send conversion in answer to her
prayers.

Breakfast and discussion having now ended,
Mr. Mannors retired to the little apartment
connected with the library. He sat musing
at the open window. The morning was still
fair and beautiful ; the very air was fragrance,
as its gentle breathings stole like the sunlight
over his face. The outer world was very quiet ;
the hum of the distant busy commerce was now
as soft as the hum of the busy bee in the gar-
den. It was a time just fit for musing, a time
when, if you are not careful, your thoughts are
apt to mutiny, and, like sprites, to scatter the
mind in fragments away into the dreamy
twilight of oblivion.

But Mr. Mannors was thinking ; ho had ever
food for thought, and his thoughts were ever
vigorous. He dwelt upon the multitude of
confiicting opinions that agitated mankind.
Every country and people and creed has each
its peculiar idea of truth, and all are strug-
gling and contending for that absolute idea
which is unattainable by man. Wonderful is
the mystery of belief; the deeper the mys-
tery the greater the faith. All religionists
art! great believers ;< and what a multitude of
religions and diversity of creeds 1 The evi-
dence which brings belief to one generates
doubt in another. What is truth in Eng-
land is error in Rome I Belief, therefore, is a
mystery, and faith has made this very world
the " bedlam of the universe."

In order to establish a religion, you must
Jiave attendant mysteries and visions. The
ancient heathen priests wrought on the minds
of their followers almost entirely by such agen-

cies. Tlie Egyptians, the Persians, the Jews,
the Grecians, and Romans would have found
their altars deserted were it not for this re-
source ; and no kind of religious imposition
has ever yet failed where visions and oracles
have been well applied.

The Bible is a history of visions; and from
such, prophets and apostles derived their mis-
sion and their inspiration. The advent of
Christ was made known to the shepherds by a
vision, and his life was a kaleidoscope of vis-
ions. The apostles had visions, and by this
means St. Paul was converted. Then, besides
a multitude of later ones, there was Constan-
tino's visions of the gods, and Iiis celebrated
vision of the cross. There was Mohammed's
vision of the angel Gabriel. Sti?) later, there
were Luther's visions, and Swedenborg's
visions, and visions to the Mormon prophet,
and to the Spiritualists, and to Latter-day
Saints ; and last of all, the vision this morning
to— my wife.

He still mused, and the soft wind-whispers
that stirred the young spring leaves flew in
fragrant ecstasy from bud to bud. Mary's
sweet song from the summer house reached
his ear like the low murmur of distant melo-
dy, but which after awhile gradually swelled
out to a, sound like martial music, slow, plain-
tive, and funereal.

Ho looked, and a strange procession passed
before hiA. A solemn company of men of an-
tiquated appearance, attired in ancient look-
ing costumes, and headed by a motley band of
melancholy musicians, marched slowly on-
ward. Each of the antiquated men carried a
large inflated bundle on his shoulder, and when
he arrived at a certain spot, which seemed to be
a deep, dark gulf, dashed his bundle down
with great force. There was a flash and an
explosion, and then some grotesque monster
or horrid vision would appear and disappear
in a moment ! He then eaw two demure-look-
ing men advancing toward him from opposite
fides ; as they drew nigher they spat at, and
scowled upon each other : one he took to be
the Pope, and the other the archbishop of
Canterbury. They held with firm grip stout
episcopal crosiers, and when they approached
sufficiently near, they stared at him with an
angry frown, and then together let fall their
pastoral staff's heavily on his head. Mary had
just stolen in and given her father a smart
pat on the shoulder, and Martin Mannors
lifted his head and — awoke.

CHAPTER IV.

It is a prevailing opinion among certain
of the worldly-minded that persons who are
very religious must of necessity be alco very
ascetic ; this is a mistake. It is quite possible
that the devotee or religious enthusiast of the
present day may be one who, above all others,
is able and willing not only to enjoy the crea-
ture comforts within his roach, but also with
many of the aforesaid comforts and delicacies
to seek and secure secular distinctions for
which crowds of common sinners are mobt
clamorous.

EXETER HALL.

The servants of the church were never yet
debarred from reasonable enjoyments ; and we
find that their appreciation of things condu-
cive to personal ease and comfort has not at
all lessened. Many of the " successors of the
apostles" can now innocently display their
humble wealth in paletial residences, ai^d can
appear in public in gorgeous sackcloth as
" lords " of the " spiritual " realm. The
" pious " seem to understand the true mean-
ing of pastoral self-denial ; for presentations
of gold and silver plate to those who minister
in sacred tilings are quite common ; and if
genuine comlbrt is to be enjoyed on this side
of the grave, priests of the altar, with, it may
be presumed, the greatest purity of motive,
strive to obtain it to the fullest extent.

In very old times, to be sure, before people
ever thought of trying to reconcile religion
■with common sense, to be a devotee thin was
to be almost as entirely dead or indifferent to
what concerned your body as if it did not be-
long to you, and was only carried about as a
curse or temptation to be got rid of as soon as
possib I i. And the recluses of that dark period
had a gloomy belief that existence itself was a
burden, from which to be early released was
only to gain a readier passport to paradise.

Yes, indeed ; popular piety in those morose
ages led to strange misconceptions of man's
duty here, and of his destiny in a future state.
But no matter whether pious emotions arose
from a contemplation of the virtues of Vishnu,
or Siva, or from any of the ancient '* Saviours,"
or from other gods or goddesses of the most
remote antiquity, religion in every form has
had its frantic votaries, its therapeute, its fa-
kirs, its monks, its anchorites, its convulsion-
aries, and its many other wild unreasoning vis-
ionaries. Setting aside particular instances of
the fanaticism of Egyptian or Indian gymnoso-
phists, or of the priests of the Syrian god-
dess who Hogged themselves in her honor,
or of the priests of Isis who did the same,
or of the priests of Bellona or Diana who co-
vered themselves with wounds, or of the
priests of Cybele who made themselves eu-
nuchs, or of fakirs who went loaded with
chains, or of savage devotees who, to propitiate
some god, would as readily tling an infant in-
to the Ganges or Nile as an Israelitish Jehu
would destroy the child of an Ahab, I'ow fear-
ful, alas ! is the lesson we have to learn respect-
ing the vicious and inhuman impulst>8 which
men in all times have derived from the influ-
ence of what is called " religion." No other
influence has ever been so terribly potent ;
it has robbed them of their reason, it'has made
them brutes, and guilty of acts and practic(?s
diabolical and most degrading to hmnanity.

But from the praises which have been lav-
ished on the Christian scheme, from its protean
creeds, and its millions of wcrshiiierj ; from
the submission of great minds to its inspira-
tion ; from its promises of " peace and good-
will ;" from its reputed virtue, its great
"wealth or its vast iwpularity, who could have
expected such terrible results to fullow the es-
tablishment of a system which promised so
much charity, so much benovolenoe, so much
virtue, and so much })eace ? In the history of
the world, the plodding progress of Chris-

tianity, the religion of warlike and desr^lated
Europe, can l)e truved all over the eart.h in
dread characters of blood and ruin.

Is it not, then, deplorable to discover that
austerities and debasements and horrid cruel-
ties did not cease upon the inculcation of doc-
trines which, like others more ancient, espe-
cially claimed a divine origin and authority.
From its earliest days, the new faith was in-
cumbered with delusions and absurdities of
the most degrading character. There seemed
to be no modification of extravagant practices
like those of ancient heathen devotees, and in-
tokirance was bid to reign in dread earnest.
Multitudes of Christian hermits and monks
abandoned the duties of life to rush idiotically
into some monastery or wilderness, professing
tliat the perfection of human nature was the an-
nihilation of genial feeling or affection, and
that the passions which kind nature had im-
planted should, if possible, be uprooted or de-
stroyed. For this purix)se, many of these fana-
tics went nearly naked, letting their hair and
nails grow, dwelling in gloomy caves, or in
such rocky recesses as would afford temporary
shelter. It has been written that " the more
rigid and heroic of the Christian anchorites
dispensed with all clothing except a rug, or a
few palm-leaves around the loins. Most of
them abstained from the use of water for ab-
lution, nor did they usually wash or change
the garments they had once put on ; and it is
said that St. Anthony bequeathed to Athana-
sius a skin in which his sacred person had
been wrapped for half a century."*

Among the most remarkable of these
wretched fanatics is that of Paul, the hermit,
who, it is recorded, lived for over ninety years
in an Egyptian desert more like a beast than
a human being. Gregory Nazianzen tells of
such early fanatics in the following words :
"There were some who loaded themselves
with chains, in order to bear down their
bodies; others who shut themselves up in
cabins, and appeared to nobody ; some con-
tinued twenty days and twenty nights with-
out eating, often practicing the half the fast of
our Lord. One individual is said to have ab-
stained entirely from speaking, and another
passed whole years in a church with extend-
ed hands, like an animated statue."

But it is said that the most astonishing
account in ecclesiastical history of self-pun-
ishment is that recorded of an infatuated per-
son called St. Symeon, a native of Syria. He
lived thirty-six years on a pillar, erected on a
mountaiu in that country. From this pillar
it is said he never descended except to take
lx)8session of another, which he did four
times. The last one which he occupied was
loftier than the others, being sixty feet high,
and but three feet broad; and the account
states that on the last pillar lie stood for sev-
eral years, day and night, summer and winter,
exposed to heat and cold, and to all the sud-
den changes of a severe climate. The breadth
of the pillar was not sufllcient to permit him
to lie down; and it is said that he used to
spend most of the day in meditation and

* Sec DowHng's History of Romanism, p. 88, Taylor*!
Aucieut CliriHtlttiiity, pp. 43(M(il, otc, otc.

EXETER HALL.

.!. .

prayer, and in the afternoon until sunset ha-
ranpfue the crowds from all countries who
flocked to hear him.

The superstitions abounding in the early
ages of the Christian Church were most de-
grading, and overwhelmed the reason of all
classes. According to Mosheim , there were fas-
cinated biographers in the sixth century who
used to " amuse their readers with gigantic
fables and trifling romances. The examples
they exhibit are those of certain delirious fa-
natics whom they call saints, men of corrupt
and perverted judgment, who offered vio-
lence to reason and nature by the horrors
of an extravagant austerity in their own con-
duce, and by the severity of those singular
and inhuman rules which they prescribed to
others. For by what means were these men
sainted? By starving tliemselves with a fran-
tic obstinacy, and bearing the useless hard-
ships of hunger, thirst, and inclement seasons
with steadfastness and perseverance ; by run-
ning about the country like madmen, in tatter-
ed garments and sometimes half naked, or sliut-
ting themselves up in a narrow space where
they continued motionless ; by standing for a
long time in certain postures witli their
eyes closed in the enthusiastic expectation of
divine light — all this was saint-like and glori-
ous ; and the more iliat any ambitious fanatic
departed from the dictates of reason and com-
mon sense, and counterfeited the wild gestures
and incolierent conduct of an idiot or a lunatic,
the surer was his prospect of obtaining an
eminent rank among the heroes and demigods
of a corrupt and degenerate tliurch."*

Then in the tenlii century, scourging as a
penance was the prevailing custom, and sin
ners of the highest rank cheerfully submitted
themselves. Henry XL was flogged by tlie
monks of Canterbury in 1207. Raymond,
Count of Toulouse, was flogged with a rope
around his neck at the door of St. Giles's
churcli. Tlie chaplains of Louis VIII., King
of France, were flogged by order of the
Pope's legate, and Ilenry IV. of France was
treated the same way by a cardinal.

In the thirteenth century, men almost nak-
ed, witli a rod in one liand and a crucifix in
the other, flogged themselves in the public
streets, and from that time flagellation became
a common practice nearly all througli Europe
until tlie sixteenth century ; and it was thouglit
Bo commendable that Henry III., by the advice
of his confessor, the Jesuit, Edmund Auger,
placed himself at tlie head of the flaf ellators.
Even to the present day, in parts of Italy and
Spain, ^;ersons may still be found who prac-
tice tills bodily chastisement ; and now, in
the middle of the nineteenth century, when
we find ritualism on the increase, when we find
a Protestant Ignatius in England, and nunne-
ries, and other gloomy places of refuge for
pious visioiTiries, in every part of Europe, as
well as in Asia and America, one may well ex-
claim, that the race of silly saints or of wild fa-
natics is not yet quite extinct.

Protestant Christians, liowever, as a body, de-
sire to claim an exemption from such acts of
folly and barbarity, aud assert that their bo-

/ Sec Mosheim, century vi. part 8, chapter iiJ.

lief does not require a denial of any proper
or reasonable enjoyment. But Protestants,
though perhaps not yet as guilty to the same
extent as the faithful of Koine, can not assert
that tliey are free from this charge. They
never had the same opportunities ; but when
opportunity offered, they have been as intoler-
ant, as bitter in persecution, and altogether as
overbearing in spirit, as were tlie cruel dogma-
tists of any other form of religion. Protes-
tants ought not to boast of their religious liber-
ality, or freedom from religious folly. What
has been the liberality of that monster of cu-
pidity, the English Establishment? Already
in Britain the black draped seri's of the High
Church, yearning for heathen and Romish for-
malities, have done much in a quiet way to
establisli religious ordtjrs, and confessionals,
and places of seclusion ; and were it not for
tlio strong common sense of the common peo-
ple ; were it not for the hatred of oppression
and the proud love of freedom that exist in
that ittle isle among nature's great legion of
honor, there would be another Star Cham-
ber, and another importation of relics and
thumb-screws ; and we should find crosses and
pictures and holy water and holy candles, and
other sanctified trumpery in many places of
worship erected under the auspices and au-
thority of that greedy insatiable mammoth.

Are Dissenters or Nonconformists free from
the sin ? Not at all. Cromwell's praying le-
gions were a set of morose jangling fanatics ;
mouthing texts of vengeance, and whetting
their swords to glut them with blood. To the
elect of the Puritan cast, we are indebted for
genuine specimens of ascetic folly, supersti-
tion, and intolerance ; they recognized witch-
craft in America, and gave weeping, pleading,
and feeble old women to the flames in Boston ;
they hounded, persecuted, and destroyed un-
oflfending Quakers ; and established a rule of
terror in the noted Blue laws of Connecticut.*

Although there are ' y far too many good
Christians who, like Mrs. Manners, still think
that ilxL^y should be ready and willing to re-
sign the dearest earthly treasure — ^jewels of
the heart — husband or wife or children, in the
vain fancy that the sacrifice would be pleas-
ing to God ; yet the majority of pious people
are getting more sensible — a sacrificial theory
to this extent has the preference — and the
godly seem determined to enjoy themselves.
And now, if you had an opportunity, Asmo-
deus-like, to ])eep in through the little parlor
window of the comfortable house of the Rev.
James Baker, you would at once have a con-
vincing proof that the straitest of formalists
and the strictest of church -members can be,
at certain times, as cosy and contented, and
can enjoy the creature comforts as well as the
most worldly-mintl'id.

Looking, then, into this little parlor, we see
a smiling set of faces around a cheerful tea-
table. The carpeted apartment was very pleas-
ant ; the pretty lardscapes which hung on
the papered walls seemed to hnik their best ;
the bright tea-pot glistened, and its odorous
fumes twirled around and around as if iu
ecstasy to reach the white ceiling. It was

*8ee Note A.

EXETER HALL.

not exactly what mijjht be called a small tea-
party ; it was more like a moderate female
convention. There were eight ladies quietly
slppin<; tlie fragrant decoction; most of them
were of rather mature ago, and they seemed
to be engaged in the pleasant discussion of
some subject which alternately produced very
opposite feelings.

The lady who presided was Mrs. Baker, wife
of the minister, and leader of the class in
which Mrs. Mannors met for religious exercise.
Mrs. Baker was a person evidently well fitted
for the position assigned her in the church.
Though her mental culture was imptrfect, she
was confident in manner, fluent in words, and
well supplied with liymns and texts, wliicu
enabled her to give force and point to any re-
ligious remarks she might make. She led in
conversation as readily as slu' did in prayer ;
and if she could use texts i good purpose
with her own sex, she could aiso occasionally
give wings to a joke, and drive away any svx-
perfluous gloom that might follow her suc-
cessive phrases of pious observation.

Th(! ladies who were guests at Mrs. Baker's
that afternoon wore the members of her class
who met at her house, by regular appoint-
ment, one evening in every week ; and it often
happened that after tlie performance of tlieir
religioas duties most of them would be in-
duced to remain for tea. Tims these periodi-
cal reunions Avere very social, i)leasant, and
profitable ; and through tlie week this meet-
ing was anticipated with much pleasure. The
conversation which their little parties found
most interesting generally related to the pecu-
liar interests or concerns of their own society —
something about new churches, new ministers,
or new members ; and anecdotes concerning
the formation of choirs, or Sunday-schools, or
tea meetings ; but the subject most generally
attractive was that about great puljlic as-
semblages, in which Methodism was expected
to appear in particular refulgence. Regular
anniversaries were therefore talked of for
months previous to their recurrence ; and
meetings of conference, or missionary meet-
ings, or Bible souiety meetings became for a
])eriod not only a household theme, but our;
which for a time absorbed all others.

Mrs. Mannors being one of tlie most regular
attendants at class was, of course, among those
who remained at Mrs. Baker's little party ; but
as she labored under a ])eculiar spiritual de-
pression — a fre(iuent liability — she had the cor-
responding sympathy of her sisters. With the
usual formal recital at class of tlie trials and
temptations and impressions of the week that
had just passed, she gave a glowing account
of lier supposed vision, and her inference as to
its appearance being a providential token of
spiritual succor to her and her house ; and
she claimed tlio prayers of all present on be-
half of those so near and dear to her. The
appeal had its intended effect ; she had the
tears of many, and the promise of the affec-
tionate prayers of all ; and for the time she
felt how gfiod it was to bo there, and she grew
more confident that, where two or three met
together in her behalf, the expected blessing
would bo sure to follow.

Mrs. Mannors had another object in view ;

she expressed a desire to entertain at her
house the next junior preacher appointed to
the circuit ; she lioped that ouch a person in
social intercourse with her husband might be
able to counteract or eradicate the skeptical
notions which he unfortunately entertained.
As it was, he never attended any place of wor-
ship ; and as she had failed to inhuence him,
or give his thoughts the direction she desired,
she trusted and ligped that the preacher, as
a temporary member of the family, might be
able to drop a word, time after time, which,
with the supplication of God's people, might
have a good effect.

" Sister Mannors," said Mrs. Baker, with
great earnestness, " I approve of your plan ;
and it is most singular that it occurred to
you at the present time. Strange, I never
thought of telling you that Mr. Baker was
notified l^y the district chairman that n young
preacher would be sent to Ilampstead at onco,
and that if he was found acceptalile, the Con,
ference might sanction his continuance." Mrs
Mannors was delighted with the information
and she immediately told her sisters in the
faith that she looked upon this intelligence
as the first-fruits of her prayers ; and her con-
fidence in the vision grew stronger than ever.

" When do you expect Mr. Baker home t"
she asked eagerly. " Let me see, ho left for
the circuit on Wednesday ; lie expected to
meet the new preacher at brother Moflatt's,
and it is likely that he may be here to-mor-
row evening, or perhaps sooner."

" This is Friday," observed one of the sis-
ters ; " Mr. Baker has not been long from
home."

" Indeed, I wish he was away less," replied
Mrs. Baker. " I often envy most of you.
When you are at home with your family —
with children and friends — I am here mostly
alone, and my poor man may be wandering
over hill and dale, as the song says. Well,
well, I sometimes think that this way of serv-
ing God is very hard."

" And so it is, sister," said a member of tho
class ; " but you know it is a great privilege
to b* a helpmate to a servant of tho Lord ; I
often wish that my John had a call. What an
advantage to be the wife of a true minister !"

" I fe(!l it to be so ; but you must not forget
how rebellious we are by nature, and how
dissatisfied we are apt to become at times.
When I am here alone thinking, I often won-
der why so much money and labor should bo
required for the spread of the Gospel • why
there should be so m uch running to and fra ;:
why such crowds of preachers, and why so-
many voices to make known that which our
presumption says ought to be as free as air ;
but these are unworthy thoughts. Who can
understand the way of the Lord 2

' IIovv beauteous are their feet > •

Who stand on Zion's hill,
Who brint; salvation on their tongues
And words of peace reveal.'

Oh! this reminds mo of the great meeting
we shall soon have in Exeter Hall."

"Exeter Hall? — to be sure," said another
in delighted surprise ; " yes, next month, you,
know, will l)ring the anniversary of the great.
Bible Societv."

EXETER HALL.

■ rl

Half a dozen sisters now became most pleas-
ingly excited, and concentrated a look of in-
quiry at Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Manners forgot
auglit else at the moment, and exclaimed:

"Yes, that will be a great meeting, that
will be a blessed time ; eternity alone can tell
of the good works of Exeter Hall !"

"Well," continued Mrs. Baker, "I have
heard that our next meeting there is to be
something wonderful," and she was now
the ol)ject of a rapturous stare from all
present. " The last time our district chairman
was here, he told me that native missionaries,
I think he said from a plrce called Tongata-
boo, were expected ; and that a Chief from the
Feejees, who but a few months ago was as
wild as a Turk, is to appear in his curious
dress and with his horrid weajMins, and ho is
to talk to us in his native language."

"Won't that be interesting?" said a de-
Jighted sister ; " how I wish they would make
him perform one of his war dances ; it would
give one an idea of how savage they were by
nature."

" Indeed, it would," replied several.

"You remember," said Mrs. Baker, "that
last year we had a most interesting missionary
meeting. I do like them meetings the best ;
I almost forget now all the strange things
which we heard and saw. Don't you remem-
ber, sister Manners, the ugly idols that the
black man took out of a bag V What a lot of
big and little ones there was ! You remember
the war-clubs, and the tomahawks, and the
horrid scalps, and what the big Indian said
about fire water, something worse than vit-
riol I suppose, and about drinking blood ? I
thought it very interesting. What a dread-
ful state these poor creatures must be in with-
out the Gospel ! We must all pray that the
chariot wheels of the Lord may move faster.

' Lord over all, if thon hast made,

Ilast ransomed every sonl of man,
Why is fliy prace so long delayed f
Why unfulfllled the savinn; plan ?
f. . ■ The bliss for Adam's race designed

When will it reach to all mankind ?' '

" Well, it is a mystery why saving gr»ce is
80 long delayed, and poor sinners suffered to
perish. Lord, hasten thy coming!"

Just as Mrs. Baker finished speaking, the
rattle of wheels was heard at the door ; she
hurriedly went toward the window, and ex-
claimed, " As I live, here is Mr. Baker and the
new preacher."

In a moment Mrs. Mannors and every sister
in the room made a rush to the window.
Sure enough, there was Mr. Baker, home be-
fore his expected time, and with him the per-
son above all others in whom Mrs. Mannors
for a special purpose felt most interested.

" Why, bl(;ss me, sister Baker," cried Mrs.
Mannors, ". but this is providential ! Praise
the Lord for all his mercies! Who would
have thought it V" And as she quickly rubljed
her hands in actual delight in response to the
rushing thoughts of sure and certain victory,
she again exclaimixl, "Thisw providential!"

The sisters stood around as Mr. Baker enter-
ed ; he did not come empty-handed. He car-
ried two baskets, which he said contained pres-
ents from some of the brethren. The young

man followed, and was introduced to the assem-
bled sisters as " Brother Capol." Then, in-
deed, there was a shaking of hands. Mrs.
Mannors was the very first to dash at the
young preacher, and was so rejoiced that were
she to have followed the strong impulse which
almost controlled her, she w )uld have saluted
him with her lips ; as it was, he had a narrow
escape, and one might judge from his looks
that he actually thought so. The other ladies
followed in turn, and on the whole he was, no
doubt, not a little surjmsed at the warmth of
his reception and at the number of " motliers
in Israel" who were present to meet him.

It was evident at once that his appearance
told much in his favor. He was of middle
height, his hair was nearly black and in-
clined to curl, his eye was dark, but Avithout
any vicious ray ; his cheek was red, and its color
was now much heightened by his peculiar
reception. The expression of his face was
mild and pleasing, and though his manner
was somewhat diliident, ho was sufficiently at
ease, even before so many ladies, to reply with
readiness to their inquiries.

Mr. Baker himself was no way surprised at
the number present ; he took it as a matter of
course ; he knew that the class met at his
house on that day, and that Jlrs. Baker's soi
cial afternoons were not few and far between.
Indeed, as his wife had no children to take
care of. he rather preftjrred that she should
thus enjoy herself in his absence. Although
a matter of pounds, shillings, and penpe was of
as much conseqv.ence to him as to most other
householders, yet he lost nothing by the hos-
pitality of his wife ; none of her visitors ever
hesitated to bring a parcel of something use-
ful or necessary in domestic matters, and very
often his table was in this way quietly and
abundantly replenished, even with the addi
dition of sundry delicacies so agreeable to the
palate of ladies in general. He therefore felt
as little discomposed as a man could be under
the circumstances ; he rather derived a kind
of satisfaction from the knowledge that his
wife could make herself the centre and attrac-#
tion of her class. In the most blaiitl and cor-
dial manner lie addressed a lew words to each
sister, answered some unimportant inquiries,
and in a few minutes the ladies resumed their
conversation, while Mr. Baker and his friend
retired to partake of refreshment.

The Rev. James Baker had long been a
preacher in the Methodist connection. He
was now over sixty years of ag(', nearly thirty
of which were spent as an itinerant. He was
a thin, delicate-looking man ; his iron-gray
hair and sallow, beardless face, with such a
hard, worn expression, might lead one to
think that he was an invalid ; but soon as he
began to converse on a favorite to])ic — Method-
ism — ho would, as it were, warm up, his eye
would kindle with a peculiar light, and you
could then perceive that he posscsRed great
energy of character, and that sullicient physi-
cal power was not at nil wanting. H(i was an
active, untiring preacher, and went through
the laborious duties of his circuit with pimctu-
ality and faithfulness. There was, in his ojiin-
ion, nothing equal to Methodism ; it was that
alone which could meet the religious require-

• ^

EXETER HALL.

ho asspm-
Then. in-
(Is. Mrs.
ill at the
that were
Ise which
e saluted
a narrow
his looks
her ladies
e was, no
armth of

mothers
him.

ipearance
if middle

and in-

withoiit
d its color

peculiar
face was
» manner
ciently at
eply with

rpriscd at
matter of
let at his
aker's so^

between.
1 to take
10 should
Although
npe was of
lost other

the hos-
itors ever
hinjT use-
, and very
lietly and
the addi-
ible to the
refore felt
I be under
id a kind
) that his
nd attrac-*
J and cor-
;l9 to each
inquiries,
med their
his friend

[T been a
tion. lie
rly thirty
He was
iron-offay
h such a
d one to
ion as he
-Method-
[1, his eye
, and you
sed great
mt pliysi-
le was an

through
li punctu-
1 his ojiin-

was that
s require-

• ^

ments of the age. He did not believe in the
efficacy of any system wliich only re(iuired
that a modern ajwstle should preach l)ut on
one rtay «>f the week and let the other days
take care of themselves. Every one, he
thought, who had a call to preach, should be
at the work as long as he could get a sinner to
syind before him. The Established Church
he looked upon as a ra])aciou8 monster, burrow-
ing out tlio vitality of the Gospel ; and he al-
ways felt indignant when certain servile
prominent Methodist ministers would obseciui-
ously pander in public to its spiritual lord-
sliips, and assert that the National Church
was " the strongest bulwark of our beloved
Protestantism." It was, in his opinion, no bet-
ter tlian downright popery.

He had a show of toleration for some of the
minor sects ; but he considered Presbyterian-
ism as a creed, cold, fornxal, add lifeless ; moral
in its aspect, but deaden .g in its influence.
Methodism was the all m all to him ; he
could dwell for hours on the virtues of " our
founder," John Wesley, and ho believed that
no man since the days of St. Paul ever equaled
the curate of Wroote. The Methodist body
was, therefore, the " salt of the earth," and its
ministers were destined to be the true apostles
of the world. On doctrinal points, ho \jas
a resolute stickler for Arminian views ; he had
a leaning to controversy, in which he was ex-
pert ; and it always gave him particular pleas-
ure to harass an opponent into an admission of
the scriptural views of the venerable Wesley.

Such was Mr. Baker as a preacher ; ho was
unwearied in his work ; and now, as that work
was becoming too extended, the timely assis-
tance of his younger brother in the ministry
would be the means of supplying every call
on the circuit. Of Mr. Capel he had lieard
the best accounts. He was recommended as one
" holding fast the form of sound words," and
who would be an example to believers " iu
word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, in purity ;" ho therefore had no doubt
but that there would be a great extension of
their beloved Methodism ; and that their ef-
forts to " win souls" would be sure to pros-
per.

Mrs. Mannors could not now forget one of
the main objects of her visit ; and as soon as
an opportunity olFercd, she made known her
desire to Mr. Baker, and he admitted that suc-
cess might follow the adoption of her plan ;
but he would not be too hopeful. It was, how-
ever, a peculiar failing of his — in common
with most Christian ministers — that he could
never exercise sutticieut patience to contend
or even reason with any person of skeptical
views ; he thought such opinions the best
proof of the wickedness and |)resurai)tion of
the human heart, and that no man who was
not both vile and stupid could for a moment
re:^ist the overwhelming evidences in favor of
divine revelation. He therefore kept aloof
from all such persons, doubtful alike of their
honor or honesty ; and during the period lie
had been in charge of his present circuit, he
rarely visited Heath Cf)ttage, and scarcely ever
addressed Mr. Mannors beyond a few words of
ordinary politeness, lljion consideration, how-
ever, he was pleased with what Mrs. Manno's

had suggested ; for he had not as yet made
ai rangements as to where Mr. Cai^el should
find a temporary homo during his stay on the
cin'uit.

The itinerant systenit^ of the Methodist re-
quires that a preacher (Aall be regular in his
ministrations, according to what is called a
" plan ;" and in the course of a month the
greater part of the time is spent in traveling
from place to place, preaching often two or
three times a day. Tlie remainder of the
period may be spent officiating at or near
home ; and during that time, with younger
preachers, they are required to attend to certain
prescribed studies preparatory to ordination,
which rite is not conferred until about the end
of the fourth year from the time of their ad-
mission as itinerants ; nor are they members
of Confei'ence until after that period.

" My dear sister," said Mr. Baker, " I see
no difficulty in making the arrangement. Mr.
Capel has left himself, as it were, in my hands,
to locate him where I may ;'wo will speak to
him at once, and I have no doubt but that in
the course of a few days, if your worthy hus-
band should not object, you will find him
dwelling beneath your roof."

" You should know, brother," replied Mrs.
Mannors with a little warmth, " that I would
not have made such a proposal if I anticipated
any objection from my husband. To do him
justice, he does his best in most respects to
contribute to my happiness; he never inter-
feres witli any arrangement I choose to make ;
neither does he offer to limit what I may de-
sire to give for the support of the Gospel.
He is truly kind — I might almost say good,
were it not for his unbelief — ^and I therefore
long for his conversion."

" My opinion is, sister, that your husband
has sense enough to know that you are right,
and that he is wrong ; were it not for this, he
would oppose you. If he were honest iu his
convictions, he would resist ; and his conduct
toward you is but a plain proof of human de-
])ravity. While he, like many others, boast-
fully sneers at our faith, there are solemn mo-
ments when his conscience bids him beware."

" I know him to be sincere, brother Baker ;
no man was ever more true to his belief. In
times past, I used to accuse him of a denial of
the truth ; I would not do so now ; he speaks
what he thinks ; and he still asserts that scarce-
ly one at the present day can be truly liberal
or tolerant who remains bound to any of the
principal sects of Christianity. I may profess
what I like ; he would not interfere with me
if my happiness consisted in a worsliip of
Juggernaut."

Notwithstanding this generous defense of
her husband, Mr. Baker was not convinced.
He would never believe that an undisguised
skeptic could be a trustworthy person, or
a good member of society. He hatl no more
faith iu their integrity than he had in the do-
cility of a wild beast ; nothing but the grace
of (iod could subdue the heart ; and a person
who, like Martin Manners, had, from a pious,
patient wife, line upon line, and precept upon
precept, and who could after all, in semblance
or in reality, successfully resist the prayers of
the people of the Lord and the promptings of

EXETER HALL.

.'M

■ \

tho Divine Spirit was a person to bo avoided.
With such ho desired to have neither inter-
course nor communication. For this view liaii
ho not scriptural precepts ?

" But tlioujfli we or an angel from heaven
preach any other gospel unto you than that
wliich we have preaclied unto you, let him be
accursed." " If there como any unto you, and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into
your house, neither bid him Ood speed. For
ho tliat biddeth him God speed is a partaker
of his evil deeds." A jjerson, therefore, lilio
the Rev. James Baker, who thorouglily wor-
shiped the Bible, could not possibly resist
the force of such texts. He was therein told
to " beware of dogs," and like a true believe/
ho acted accordingly.

When the offer of Mrs. Manners was made
known to Mr. Capel, he expressed himself
quite satisfied ; he was, he said, in the hand
of Providence, ready to enter whatever door
was opened for him. A few arrangements
had yet to be made, and in the course of tlie
following week he would possibly avail him-
self of her kind and generous proposal.

Here, indeed, wtis a consummation ! Who
but tlie Lord, thought good Mrs. Mannors,
could liave brought tliis thing to pass ? She
could now return with renewed hojie, and — a
thought struck her — would it not bo well that
betore they departed that evening their closing
prayer should be made to the throne of grace
on behalf of her unconverted husband 'I The
proposal was readily accepted ; and after thoy
had nearly all prayed in turn, tlie closing ap-
peal was made by Mr. Baker, who, wliile
kneeling erect, with closed eyes and extended
arms, and head thrown back, tlius concluded
his petition :

" And now, O Lord ! thou knowest how sinful
and depraved we are by nature. Thou know-
est tliat through the fall of Adam we, his de-
scendants, are but filth and pollution in tliy
sight, truly hell-deserving, and only worthy
of eternal banishment from thee. In thy
sight we are so corrupt that without grace
our best actions are but an abomination. But,
blessed be thy name, thou hast provided a
ransom for us, oven in the death of the second
Adam. For since by man came death, by man
came also the resurrection of tho dead ; and
now as there is blood upon the mercy-seat,
wilt thou not be appeased ? Wilt thou not
again, O God! stretch forth thy hand and raise
some dead Lazarus from the tomb ? We plead
for our afflicted sister ; we plead before thee
for the conversion of her unbelieving hus-
band. O Lord ! break his stony heart. Un-
loose the bands of unbelief, and set him •free.
Set his feet upon the Rock of Ages, and turn
his face Zion-ward. For years thou liast borne
with his rebellion, and hast not cut him off.
For years with unrelenting heart he has de-
nied thee access, and resisted the drawings of
thy Spirit ; and yet he is out of hell, out of
that abyss where neither hope nor mercy ever
(jomes. Then spare him, oh ! spare him a littlo
longer. Lengthen thou the day of grace.
But if, Lord ! in regard to thy divine justice,
thy Spirit has forever taken its fliglit ; if now
he stands like a condemned wretch awaiting
the execution of thy sentence, and ready to be

i hurled over the precipice of destmction when
thi/ sword falls, and when he is lost — forever
I lost — and writhing under thy merited ven-
geance with the eternal tortures of the danfhed,
when neither sighs, nor tears, nor prayers,
nor sacrifice can move theo again in his be-
lialf, then, O Ood 1 pity, oh ! pity our poor
afflicted sister ; supjwrt her while passings
through the deep waters, but al)ovo all things
enable her to approach tho throne of grace,
to be reconciled to thy decision, and to ac-
knowledge tho purity of that justice which
overwhelmed thine enemy. Amt^n, amen."*
There was a dismal pause, a feeling of awo,
a great silence. Mrs. Mannors's heavy sobbing
alone fell uixm the ears of those kneeling
around her, like the tapping of a muffled
drum in a solemn dead-march. But even
then, if an angel could have lifted the vail of
distance, and have exhibited to them the ob-
ject of their prayerful solicitude, Martin Man-
nors might be seen with smiling face hand-
ing bread to a beggar at his gate. Mary and
William could be found close by, and, like
their father, following with pitying eye tho
feeble steps of the old mendicant as he moved
slowly away. The setting sun might be seen
as if lingering on a distant hill, while part-
ing beams in fading glory were spread far
around. Then if, during the pause, the an-
gel could have touched the ears of those
who had becm praying, the mellow voice of
Martin Mannors could be heard to exclaim as
he looked upward into the sunlight, " How
beautiful ! how beautiful !" — and tho poor
wanderer's blessing would seem to brighten
the sunbeam that now rested like an aureola
upon the head of his benefactor.

CHAPTER V. ■.'-*»

After ^Irs. Mannors and the other guests
had departed, Mr. Baker and his wife and Mr.
Capel sat around the parlor fire. There was
a lull in the conver.«ation, and eacli was look-
ing in thoughtful silence at the few half-con-
sumed coals that were losing their fierce glow
of r-xlness and getting every moment darker
and darker. Mr. Baker appeared very refleo-
tive, as if some mental problem had to be
solved, and that he was determined to succeed.
The expression of his face changed very often
and very suddenly. His lips would be com-
l^ressed, and a rapid and peculiar contraction
of the brow indicated a struggle of emotions
which one might hope was rather unusual.
He was now very absent, and apparently lost
in a flurry of wild, conflicting ideas.

Mr. Capel looked at him, as if desirous of
making some remark, but he noticed his ab-
straction at a glance ; he therefore dallied a
little longer with his own thoughts, and went
hand in hand with memory a long, long dis-
tance.

* The charity exhihlted in tho above clerical prayer
is fairly illuatrated in an extract taken Iroiu au Amer-
ican paper, namely: Rev. Mr. , of Oberlin, Ofeio,

in a recent prayer made the followinj; invocation : ' But
how sliall 1 pray for the President * O Lord 1 if thou
canst manage him, witliout crushing him, spare liim.
Otherwiae, cruah, him 1"

ed.

EXETER HALL.

tion when
; — forovor
rited ven-
jdairihcd,
• pray^re,
in his be-
our poor
I pasHing'
all things
of grace,
nd to ac-
ce which
amen."*
g of awo,
y sobbing

kneeling
I muffled
But even
lie vail of
n the ob-
iftin Man-
iice hand-
Mary and
and, like
; eye the
he moved
it be seen
hile part-
pread far
.', the an-

of those
r voice of
xclaim as
it, " How
the poor

brifrliten
,n aureola

ler guests
fe and Mr.
rhere was
was look-
r half-con-
ierce glow
nt darker
ery refleo-
lad to be
;o succeed,
very often
\ be com-
uBtraction
' emotions
• unusual,
rcutly lost

38irou8 of
od his ab-
duUied a
, and went
, long dis-

srical prayer
iiu an Araer-
berlin, Olilo,
atiou: 'But
}rd 1 if thou
, Bpare him.

But the silence was suddenly broken. " Be
ye not uiie<iually yoked together with unbe-
lievers : for what fellowship hath righteous-
n»;88 with unrighteouHuoss? and what com-
munion hath light with darkntseV aud what
<'onc(>ril hath Ch^i^*t witli Belial V or what part
hath ho that bolhsveth with an infidel T " Yes,"
Hiiid Mr. Baker, " that woman is deceived ; she
huH been unequally yoked, yet she would now
sliifld and even hope for a bla»i)hemer that
openly denies the Lord who bought him. I
can not aud will not forever sympathize with
her ; she still clings to a wrtjtch that may yet
drag her down with himtodesurvc^d pi-rdition."
The preacher spoke with his teeth almost
chmched, and the nails of his fingers were
buried iu the soft palm of his tightly shut
hand.

Mr. Capiil gave another earnest look at his
Buperintendent ; and his eye turned immediate-
ly from the dark frown that met his view. The
individual befuie him was almost completely
changed from what he had been a short time
previously. The seemingly courteous Christian
was now a bitter, viudictive accuser, and the
zeal of intolerance and persecution flashed in
his eager eye. His last prayer, uttered so af-
fectingly, had brought tears f Jjm almost every
one present ; but with him, to make such an
appeal was a ministerial faculty. He could
raise his supplicating voice and make others
Aveep ; aud, strange to say, could ai such mo-
ments even wee]j himself : yet his o\v'n heart
would not bo affected ; while his face was
bathed in tears, that vory heart could be as
cold and as hard as iron.

"She need not tell me," he continued, "of
his honor or his honesty ; ho is a deceiver,
base and black as the father of lies, and the
poison of his vile tongue will yet bring maay
to eternal ruin. It is hard to pray for such
an enemy. W^ould it not be better for the
church of Ood that a visitation swift, sudden,
and destructive should bury such an aiwstate
in his own sin, and be another signal warn-
ing to the black brood of scoffers increasing
around us? Would it not be better that some
of the vile sneering herd should remain de-
ceived and be swept away, rather than that
they should remain to delude others with eter-
nal misery ?

" ' For this cause God shall send them a strong
delusion that they should believe a lie. That
they all miglit be damned who believed not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.' "

" Brother," continued Mr. Baker, " you have
a ciirious mission before you. Your prayers
must be divided between a believer and an
unbeliever. Y'ou must become a practiced
hand in dealing out spiritual sympathy to sis-
ter Manuors, while you have daily to confront
the infidel blasphemies of her sneering hus-
band. What do you think of that? She, poor
simpleton! imagines that you may bo able to
influence a man who would deny the bread of
life even to his own children — who would
leave their minds a i)erft;ct blank as to relig-
ion. Reason with him, indeed ! why, he is and
has been all reason, aud philosophy, and com-
mon sense ever since I knew him ; yet these
worldly-wise-isms only leave him more delud-
ed, and a still more furious and determined

BcoflTer at the truth. Y'ou will find none more
plausible ; he thinks that by a show of liber-
ality his sin can be overlooked ; it might be,
were it only to bring destruction on himself;
but IfMjk at the iicrnicious influence of his
teaching, for I have heard, alas! that srune
have even fallen away from grace, and have
become confirmed backsliders through hia vile
but honeyinl words. Talk of educationand en-
lightcnmont and progress! would it not bo
b(!tter for the scuis of men that gross ignorance
of all other things should prevail, rather
than that the world sliould be depraved with
tluit scum of nu)dern reasoning — Infidelity V
Would it not be better that all secular know-
ledge, aud s(!ience, and high sounding philoso-
phy, should be completely lost to man, rather
than that the knowledge of the true G'od
should be forgotten in the vain rush after the
flighty S])eculations of modern science? As
soon as w > arc so weak and uncertain as to
submit our glorious gospel light and our
blessed faith to scientific investigation ; as
soon as mo submit faith to reason, or allow
our confidence in divine inspiration to waver
in the least, so soon may we close the Bible
forever, and let the enemy of souls have full
sway."

Mr. Baker here stood up and commenced
to pace the room. He had gradually evoked a
feeling of Christian indignation. The very
thought of presumptuous opposition to wliat
he deemed the inspired word embittered his
spirit to such an extent as to make him al-
most ready to consent that ancithcr fire should
be kindled in Smithfield, rather than Protes-
tant truth should suiter. Unknown even to
himself, intolerance was here doing its work
in the mind of one who claimed to have been
regenerated ; and James Baker, who had a
strong belief that he was chosen and called
to preach a "gospel of peace," might now be
easily induced to plant a stake and kindle a
faggot or buckle on a weapon — A'erily a sword
of the spirit — and become at last, like a thou-
sand others of his calling, a fierce persecutor.

"JamRS,"said Mrs. Baker quietly, "I fear
that you allow the carnal feeling to govern
your words sometimes. Would you becoiAo
the avenger of the Lord? Would you ask
assistance from Satan lo put down unbelief?
If (iod is willing that some should be de-
ceived, or if he is willing to exercise patience
and long-suft'ering with such as are puffed up
in their own vain imaginations, shall man do
less ? We have been furnished with weajjons
for the enemies of the Gospel that the Evil
One will never use — weapons that are sure to
overcome. Have we not prayer and faith ?"

" Very true, wife, very true. I admit that I
am sometimes rash ; but when I think of the
labor I 'undergo for the spread of Bible truth ;
when I think of what is sacrificed in missions ;
•.vhen I think of the years which I and others
have spent in the ministry, calling sinners to
repentance, and then, may be, when we fancy
our harvest is ready, in rushes some midnight
plunderer and destroys our prospects. It is
perhaps wrong to be too impatient in ^ch
matters; but who can justly tolerate crime?
Yes, patience may be necessary ; but who can
submit to the presumption of gross, palpable

EXETER HALL.

ill

\r 1

•Ml

error ? I can not help believinjf that our prc-
HCnt laws are far too Imlcnt ; tlio fnitli nltould
bo more rijridly upheld ; there shonld be some
det«?rmined Btop put to the open diHwrnina-
tion of pa^an erro#; there Hhould bo some
stern, ' Thus far shalt thou go and no further.'
Our nation can not surely prosper while wicked
men are allowed to beguile others away from
the truth. Reason and liberalism are now
rampant all over the land, desiMiiling the pious
efforts of centuries. They must be tramped
out. To be plain, if coercion is necessary to
enforce the laAvs of erring man, how much
more requisite is it thus to enforce the man-
dates of a just and jealous God '>. Arc we not
liable to incur his divine wrath by our ajjathy,
our forbearance, or our so-called toleration V"

"My dear brother," said Mr. Capel, "let
the wicked man and the scoffer and the wor-
shiper of the glory of this world remain in
the fortress of their own strength. The Lord
has promised to conquer all his adversaries,
and he will do so in his own ^ wd time. Has
ho not said that 'kings shall fall down be-
fore him,' and that ' all nations shall serve
him'? and have we not an abundance of
precious promises in his word of how he is to
overcome the world, and does he not bid us to
be of ' good cheer'? Then, brother, let us wait ;
we have our allotted work to perform ; let us be
faitjiful, and God will not be forgetful of his
waiting saints. The Lord still says, ' I have
sworn by myself; the word is gone out of my
mouth in righteousness and shall not return,
that unto me every knee shall bow, every
tongue shall swear.' With these blessed
words, who can doubt ? Let the heathen rage,
and let the world scorn us as it may, what is
erring.presumptuous man before Omnipotence?
He says, ' Ask of me, and I shall give thee the
heathen for thine inheritance, and the utter-
most parts of the earth for thy possession.'
' Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron ;
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's
vessel.' 'Evil doers shall be cut off; but
those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit
the earth.' These are assurances that should
make us patient. I have no fear, brother ; a
good work will yet be accomplished, and truth
must prevail."

Mr. Baker already felt that he had shown
Symptoms of indiscreet zeal before his co-
worker. He now appeared more satisfied.
He was again reassured, and his wonted confi-
dence returned. He was much pleased with
Mr. Capel's words and modest remarks, and,
like him, he was again willing to trust in the
Lord rather than in the arm of flesh.

" Brother," said he, " I have been in the
vineyard of the Lord for a long time. I have
often witnessed the closing scenes of life and
the final triumph of many of the people of
God. I have seen them, while languishing.in
their Inst moments, bear witness for the truth.
Then, again, I have seen men once strong in
the faith fall— oh ! to what a depth— and
pass away forever in the whirlwind of un-
belief. How mysterious are the dealings of
the Almighty ! 'Why are millions still left in
darkness tc perish for lack of knowledge?
Why is unbelief yet allowed to prevail?
Why are not all saved? What a number of

enemies wo have around ns ! What traitors
we meet on all sides ! And those we h .ive most
to dread prof(>s8 to belong to the houHehold of
faith, to b<Oieve in the written word, yet bring
it into contempt. Alas! how the infidel can
laugh at Christianity. Crowds of believers,
and crowds contending for forms and cere-
monies and precedenc(\ Kome anathematiz-
ing Kngland, and England gloating over tho
degradation of Rome — one desiring to usurp
over the other. The Bo-calle<l Christian
church is a mystery to many. Who are its
members. Are the numerous sects Avhich bit-
terly denounce each other deserving of that
distinction ? Are the emissaries of the Po-
])i8h system of delusion and superstition to be
acknowledged as such ? t^honld the credu-
lous slaves of its Greek sister be set down as
members? What are we to call these who
allow the rai)acioufl apostles of our wealthy
Church Establishment to rule over them?
Shall we include as members all who cling to
Presbyterian morality and its election and
reprobation? How are wo to designate the
exclusionists of close communion and immer-
sion ? What are Unitarians, and Trinitarians,
and Quakers, and Dunkers, and Universalists,
and the fifty otl^r sects to be called ? Who
are the real exponents of the true faith?
There are sectaries of every degree, many of
whom have in turn routed and jiersecuted
each other, all claiming to be memb«>r8 of the
true church, yet nearly all difllring widely in
what many of tliem deem essentials. We
may talk as we like about unity of spirit.
Some think there may be unity in diversity,
and diversity in unity; but experience goes to
l)rove disunity in contending bodich, and a
leaven of bitter jealousy working through
the whole. The Evangelical Alliance prom-
ised great things at Exeter Hall ; but where is
the fulfillment ? And what is our own Metho-
dism ? it is not at the present day what it
once was, the most scriptural of all systems.
It is not, alas! what it ought to be. Look,
brother, at our aspiring men, and at our con-
nectional hankering and ambition. Our Con-
ference is aiming for power and influence, and
wishes to make its oft assumed authority felt
and recognized outside of its own proper lim-
its. I feel that Methodism is fast drifting
down to worldliness, and that it will soon bo
another synonym for pomp and vanity. Its
love for money is unspeakable."

" My dear," replied Mrs. Baker, " we all
know that it is impossible for us to rend the
heart ; God alone can do that. Afpiring men
have no doubt entered among us, and have
caused heart-burnings and divisions ; but
when we know that Satan himself will some-
times appear like an angel of light to gain his
own ends, when we find pretended friends
in our midst, our duty then is to be more faith-
ful ourselves. Methodism is God's right hand
in the salvation of men ; it is a rock of
strength : though it has enemies within and
without, and though many on the side of
Church and dis.sent would unite to-morrow for
its downfall, let us not fear, but say —

' Come, glorious Lord, the rebels spnm ;
Scotter thy foes, victorious King ;

■4

EXETER HALL.

And Oath ^tid Askclon shall mourn.
Ami iiil 'tu; cons <»r God Bhull *ln;{.'

"Weill, li't ilicm rejoiro whin it happens.
No doubt Saf..Ji would rfjoicii overtho down-
fall of our luiiovcl WiHleyanism alHo. Yos,
wife, I know som»! of those 8iK)utinpf Protes-
tants — rank dirtscntrrs, too — who profess to be
ready to join hands witli us for the conversion
of wild Indians, or for a crusade ajjainst Knjj-
lish or Romish Popery, and who, uncler the
pretense of Christian love, will meet and coun-
sel and pray with us, and who yet would at the
same time (five us a stab in the dark if a
chance offered. Yes, 1 know them ; they will
fraternize with us on a publig pliitfi)rm, they
will make >;reat speeches about tlie poor
heathen, and about missions, and Bibles, and
tracts, and temperance, and all tliat, but,
bless you ! they are merely actinj; — they hatt)
us. When reliy-ious teaeh.'rs enter our pul-
pits and dissemble to such an extent, wliat
can we evjxvrt from Papists and unbelievers?
A worthy ohl brother once whisi)er(Hl to me,
when we were seated tofjether on a missionary
platform, and after we had heard some fine
speeches and a nrreat display of liberal senti-
ments from the reverend representatives of
various hostile denominations who took part
on the fK-casion, * Brother,' said he, ' I thought
I knew these men, but I see every man has
a mask, and puts it on before he addresses the
people.' He had them that time."

Just then there was a rap at the door and a
note was handed in for Mr. Baker. He tore
it open at once, and after looking at it a mo-
ment read aloud:

" A meeting of the Hampstead Branch Bible
Society will bo held, God willing, in the
Baptist vJhurch on Tuesday evening next.
The chair will be taken precisely at half-past
seven o'clock. A full attendance is reouested
in order to select delegates and to make other
preparatory arrangements in view of the
great anniversary meeting to be held next
month at Exeter* Hall."

When Mr. Baker read this little epistle, he
closed his left eye and looked down thought-
fully at the floor, which he patted smartly at
the same time with his foot. After a few sec-
onds' cogitation, he spoke very slowly, as if to
himself: " In the Baptist Church, on Tuesday
evening next — very, very sharp practice —
very." Tlu^ words fell from his lips as separate
and distinct as if there were no possible; connec-
tion between them — as if he had been merely
practicing an elocutionary ntterance.

" Now, brother," said Mr. Baker, recovering
himself, " here is a nice little plot, dexterously
managed and arranged, to ket»p us as a body
in the background ; and I think we are also
indebted to the su])ineness and extra liberality
of some of our wise memliers for such a very
agreeable invitation. If this is not a happy
illustration of the sectarian jealousy which
we were just deploring, it is a very forcible
one, and not at all pleasant to my feelings. I
can see through it. They have made a cat's
paw of the Bai)tists to put the Meth' dists on
the shelf — tiuifs it. I understand the manceu-
vre. I can see the Presbyterian finger in the
pie just as jdainly as I can see that table. If
you want a i)lotter of the right kind, give ine

one of your moral, nnooth-faced Free-Church-
men, one who wears a continual smile, jiist as
attractive to some as the glittt f of a seri^nt's
eye to a foolish bird. A first-class wire pull»'r
always smiles; he wears an appearance of
great candor, but he always keeps in the
background and will not show his hand if he
can help it. He holds the wjres; for instance,
he pulls one for the Baptists, and another for
the Inde[)endent8, and one for some other sect
or creature willing to fall in with the rest ;
and this is what we find the Ilev. Andrew
Campbell of the Free Church has just been
doing. He has burrowed pretty deep and
thinlis to hide himself; but I will unearth him.
and that before he is aware of it."

And Mr. Baker rubbed his hands in eager
anticipation of a brush with his reverend an-
tagonist.

" Brother Capel," ho continued, " here is a
plain case of jealousy and disstimbling on the
part of a man who claims to be the pastor of a
most exemplary body of Presbyterians. Last
year, a minister of our Society was appointed
a delegate to represent our Branch Bible So-
ciety at Exeter Hall. There were murmurs
as usual from several of Mr. Campbell's people,
and from some others ^»rho are always grum-
bling at the Methodists, but he, worthy man !
appeared to be quite satisfied ; jndeed he said
he would not have select d any other person
were the choice left to himself So far, so
good ; but in the course of a few weeks, a ru-
mor was heard in one place and in another
that the Methodists had succeeded in gettinpf
the meeting held in their own church, and
that by force of numbers a Methodist dele-
gate had been chosen to display his eloquence
on the platform at Exeter Hall. After a little
inquiry, I traced this report direct to the Rev-
erend man himself; there was no chance for
his escape. And you may judge of my aston-
ishment when he told me to my face at a com-
mittee meeting that it was every word true;
that he never denied having said so, and that
I and my adherents on all occasions tried to
monopolize certain positions before the public
to the exclusion of better men. When he told
mo this, he looked no more shame-faced than a
parson who was pocketing tithes. With such
a man, it was useless to waste words. It
would be very unseemly to contend with him
before a committee. I withdrew as soon as I
conveniently could, and I have never met him
since."

" The feeling that Mr. Campbell has toward
us," said Mrs. Baker, "has influenced many
others with whom we were formerly on terms
of friendship. For instance, but a short way
from this house there are two maiden sisters
residing ; they used to visit us very often, and
wo frequently went together on missionary
tours and on tract collections. They were
never, to be cure, very warm toward us as a SCK
ciety, but they never made any unkind r»
marks ; they are, however, members of Mr.
Campbell's congregation, and since the occur-
rence at the committee meeting they have
never entered our door, and if I happen to meet
them at a Dorcas meeting or at any other place,
they merely give me a formal bow. Why,
bless you I I never thought people could he m

EXETEK HALL.

111

uncharitable as we now find many of the Bap-
tists and Presbyterians."

" And what is worse," urged Mr. Balcer,
" after the discreditable conduct of Cam])l)ell,
I tried to keep the matter as quiet as possible.
I did not wish to let it be known around that
a number of professing Christians who had
met in order to devise ways and means ^or the
circulation of the Scriptures had, at such a
meeting, a fierce altercation ainongthcmselves.
I said as little as I could about it ; but the fol-
lowing weeli out comes tlxj Evangelist, the
newspaper or organ of the Presbyterian body,
with a communication denouncing the ' shab-
by tricks' (this was the expression) ' of a cer-
tain Methodist prcacJier, whom it did not
nar^e, and the hypocritical rabble that follow-
ed at his heels,' and then it went on retailing
the current scandal about the appointment of
a delegate. To this, I sent a contradictory re-
ply, with c?rtain exi)lanatlons which I trusted
would not be oftensiv<^ ; but back came my
manuscri])t ; they would not insert any thing I
had written ; and now to this day we have the
greatest trouble to keep up appearances and
prevent another outbreak more scandalous
than the last. You know in the course of the
year there are many occasions on which we
have to meet. Protestants of all denomina-
tions, with the exception of the High Church
party, profess to unite their efibrts at Bible
meetings and tract meetings, and for other
objects of common interest ; but lately I find
it Ixard work to keep my temper among thom,
and were it not that scoffers might triumph I
would enjoy far more peace of mind by stay-
ing at home, like our pious, prudent friend,
the Bev. Andrew Campbell."

" Scenes like this you have described," said
Mr. Capcl, " I am sorry to say, have been wit-
nessed in other places than this neighborhood.
The very first year I was on a circuit we had
a difficulty nearly in the same way with the
New Connection Methodists ; 1 hope never to
witness the like again. What hapjjcufd
there was a scandal to the whole church for
months afterward; I would be ashamed to
mention even now all that occurred."

" You need not tell me, brother ; I think I
know it just as Avell as if it Avas written for
me : but I tvM you now that before you are
much older, you are likely to b(! ])resent at a
Bcene which may altogether surpass any you
have yet witnessed. We shall see wh(>tlier
this sleek, jealous, undermining calumniator
can do as he plenwes, even i)rotected as he will
be by the streannng walls of a Baptist Con-
venticle, lie no doubt has had cn-cry Presby-
terian and Ba])tist and Congregationalist with-
in his reach warned to atteiul ; but we can
play the same ganu', and in a way that will
open their eyes and nu\ke their lank faces a
little loiiger. We arc as numerous as t iiey
are altogether, an;l I think that between this
and Tuesday, we can g(>t a sufficient number
of our friends to vote down any hostile resolu-
tion, and turn the tables on them. What do
you say, brother? Don't you think wo can
succeed '?"

Mr. Capel was very reluctant to give an
opinion ; the very idea of another sccuie was
not reliehed by him. He did not wish to anti-

cipate trouble ; but it was plain to him that Mr
Baker was determined to enter a contest and
to drag him into it also. IIo>y was he to es
cape from this? The thought of going to a
public meeting called for the ostensible pur-
pose of promoting the circulati«m of the word
of God, and then and there to enter into all
the arrangements for a display of sectional
strife and unholy disunion, was pninful ; it
was actually to descend from his position as a
preacher of peace to fraternize with men
who gave way to angry feelings. Hewasvery
much perplexed. In the short period of his
ministerial career, he had had sutficient proof
of the bitterness and animosity that existed
betwer^n sects. It was to him astonishing how
preachers and people loudly boasting of a re-
ligion of peace and love, preaching about the
"unity of the spirit," quoting texts about the
" bonds of peace," and almost forever talking
and writing and preaching about humility and
hiu-mony and brotherly love, and spending
time and money in the circulation of an in-
spired book which was said to be suflicient to
enlighten all to the way of virtue, and to make
"the wolf and the lamb feed together, and
the lion eat straw like a bullock," and yet
to find these very people who were always
pitying and rebuking the heathen and the un-
believing and the ungodly, as willing and as
ready on certain occasions to indulge hatred,
engage in strife, and harlior malice as the veri-
est barbarian ! He often wondered at the pomp-
ous and exjiensive display of ])hysical force
material by Christian nations and people, and
of their readiness for battle and murder. Ho
contrasted certain acts of so-called pious mon-
archs — the profuse shedding of human blood
— with those of the rulers of even idolatrous
people, and in nearly all cases he was forced
to decide against the cruelty of Christian po-
tentates, and to admit the many proofs of tho
su])erior si)irlt and humanity of imperial
heathenism — the superiority of a Julian to a
Constantino. But to think that the " peojjlo
of God" should, by " anger and chinior and evil-
speaking," degrade themselves even below
those that knew not the Lord n(U' his word ; to
think that those who op(>]ily professi^d re-
generation should by controversial brawls
strengthen the position of th<; scofl'tT, was to
him incom])rehcntible. He therefore did not
wish to attend such a meeting ; but how was
he to escape ?

" I v ill tell you what I thiid?," said Mr. Ca-
pel, after some rcfiection. " I would far rather
let these ])eoi)|{! have llieir ,vn wiiy than that
we should follow in their footstejis and assist
in ].erpetuating strife. Of what consequence
is it to us whether a Methculist or a Bajjtist or an
Independent is chosen as n delegal(!? The
great cause of Christianity v. ill not sufl'er, or
be more benefited one way or other by the re-
sult. I therefore think tluit our wisest plan
will be, to let things lake; their ow n course at
the nu>eting, and no doubt a greater good
will (iventually result."

" See here, brotliiT Capel," re])lied Mr. Baker,
with assumed calmness, "such sentinu-nts
mav do very well witli persons who are real
and true Christians ; tho course you advise
might then be most nroper toward such a

EXETER HALL,

tn that Mr
jntest and

8 ho to t'S

■ojnjr to a
isible piir-
f the word
r into all

Pectional
minful ; it
sitionas a
with men
e was very
riod of his
ient proof
at existed
shinghow
\g of a re-
about the
about the
er talking
nility and
spending
of an in-
fficient to
d to make
'tlier. and

and yet

always
id the un-
ig and as
yc hatred,
IS the veri-
tlie pomp-
'ical force
?ople, and
rder. Ho
ious mon-
iian blood
idolatrous
as forced
list Ian po-
ofs of the

imperial
ilian to a
; " peoi)]o
I" and evil-
tn below
word ; to
essed re-

1 brawls
'T, was to
V did not

how was

(1 Mr. Ca-
I'iir rather
tlinn that
ind assist
secjuenco
)tiKt or an

10 ? Th(!
sufler, or
ly the re-
^it'st plan
course at
tiT good

r. Baker,

ntimentH

are real

11 advise
1 such a

cla&-» ; but r(;inomber with whom we have to
treat, men \^ ho are continually endeavoring
to bring oar cliurch and our discipline into
disrepute, who are madly jealous of our suc-
cess, and who now try to lessen us in the esti-
mation of the woi'ld.

" No ; in this matter we must have our own
way, wc uuiHt light them with their own weap-
ons — ay, fight; the strongest will be sure to
win ;" and Mr. Baker (juickly snapped his
large bony tiujrers in defiance.

" Well, as lor mysijlf, brother Baker, I am
but a stranger here yet, and I would not like
to make my first apjiearance as a partisan.
If, however, you think it right for me to attend,
I will do so ; but it will be rather to throw oil
on the troubled waters, shoukl any arise, than
allow sectarian distrust and alienation to
grow strouger. It may be after all, brother,
that these people will give us no cause to
complain."

"Indeed, I hope not. It would be a great
satisfaction,a very agreeable disapi)ointment,
werti I to discover that a better feeling ex-
isted; but I have little hope.of that. I know
them, and 1 know that tht; Calvinistic crowd
will show tlieir dark faces for a certainty.
Yes, I am doubtful of Campbell, and, as you
already know, not without cause. And, friend
. Capel, you nmst recollect that at the ju'cseUb
day, wh(!n W(! iind outsiilers and the uncon-
verted attracted toward a religious body as
much on account of its reputed standing and
influence and popidarity — even by the size
and grandtnir of its (churches — as by its in-
trinsic y)iety or merit, we must be on the look
out, and, in a worldly sense, catch all we can.
We . nist not allow our denominational inter-
ests to suffer through a sentimental diliidence,
or a reluctance to enter the field as couqieti-
tors. For a denominational prize, I will nyf.
shirk (mroUintuit as a gladiator, not I ; (ireek
to Greek, our church against all others.
But, brother, wo \k'ill talk this matter over to
morrow ; it is now gtitting late, and after a
word of prayer we will retire."

When Mr. Cai'el was left alone^that night,
a midtitudi! of thoughts crowded upon him,
and seemed to overturn each other in their
struggle for prectnleiice, lie felt unnerved l)y
an utter feeling of loneliness and despondency.
lie had but lately left his nalivis country, Ire-
land, and was now for the first time among
peo])le coin|>aratively tmknown to him. His
fatlu'r had been dead for several years, and he
had seen within the last fifteen months the re
mains of his bi-i>lher and mother conveyed to
the silent grave ; he had now scarcely a rela-
tive living, and was here thrown among
strangers to follow a line of life not altogether
in accor<lance with his own feelings, but more
out of a dutiful complianc;! with tin; earnest
and afleetionate desires of a pious mother.
Previous to her death, he had traveled nearly
a year ou a circuit near the city of Cork, in Ire-
l.'ind ; and lit.' had recently b(;en advised by cer-
tain friends to oiler ^is services to the English
Conference. Ho came highly recomnie!i(le<l,
and the district chairman being anxious to
Bupply the wants of a few places on the out-

skirts of London sent Mr. Capel for a few
months under the superintendence of Mr.
Baker until the next meeting of Cori'erence.

No wonder then that his thoughts came fast,
f nd that, from what he had just heard, he was
nearly bewildered with strange ideas about
contending sects and inconsistent teachers ;
about the sordid and unholy motives which
seemed to actuate preachers as well as people,
lie was surprised at the v(ihemenco of Mr.
Baker, with whom he had but lately become
acquainted. He thought of the strange mis-
sion that was to be imposed on him by a re-
sidence at Heath Cottage, and he tried to
fancy what kind of a person Martin Manners
could bo, of whom Mr. Baker spoke so bitter-
ly — of whose ill' pure and dangerous senti-
ments he had heard so much. Already he be-
gan to feel a distaste for his mission, and a
prejudice against a jierson whom he had never
yet seen, and v/hom it was expected he might
enlighten.

But his own heart told him that such a pre-
judice was unfair, unmanly, and unjust, and
he tried to banish the feeling with all his
might. Ho dislfked controversy, particularly
when called upon to combat opinions against
divine revelation. He could not rely upon
his own strength with a wily adversary. He
never doubted scriptural truth ; but even to
him, as well as to others, there were things in
the Bible hard to be understood, but which
he believed would be made plain " in the
grt^at day of the Lord." He felt a dftep sym-
pathy for Mrs. Manners ; and in humble ccnifi-
denco would strive to remove the mountain
of unbelief that overshadowed her dwelling.
He would simply do his best to establish di-
vine truth ; and if he failed, God would not
j udge l.m for neglect. lie would take up this
cross ; and if ho succeeded, would he not bring
happiness to one home, and would not his
mother in heaven rejoice with the vast as-
sembly of saints at the repentance of a sin-
ner, and whose conversion he might after
w'ard claim as a seal to his ministry ?

Th(* mild moon was shining through his
window as he look<^d out, and her soft, sympa-
thizing light brought back the most tender
recollections. Memory presented its fairest
pictures, and the dim scene in the distance was
changed in imagination to his own still loved
home. lie heard his mother's evening hymn,
and again hr saw his little tired brother sit
sleeping by her side. In imagination he stood
once more upon the jjleasant banks of the
river Lee, and wandered away among the
green meadows by its margin ; he saw the
W(dl known tall trees, and tlieir long shadows
on its shining water. He lookcsd again ; but
that home had faded with the past ; the dear
ou(!8 had fled, and the pure love of that moth-
er's eye would be seen no more forov(!r. In
his dreams, that night lu! again heard the
sweet sounds of the Bells of Shandon, and
again he saw the waters of the pleasant riv-
er ; but before he awoke, he was once more
standing and weeping by his mother's grave,
hand in hand with his tired brother, in the
old churchyard of St. Finn Bar.

'f '"'"N

EXETER HALL.

■ni

.Ml

I-

'.iLi

CHAPTER VL

TnTi church in which the Rev. Andrew
Campbell officiated Avas situated on the hijjh
road between London and Hampstead, rather
closer to the city. Indeed, speaking more cor-
rectly, it might be said to be within the sub-
urbs* wliich every year stretch out farther and
farther. His pastoral charge, however, includ-
ed a veiy extensive district and extended to the
north as far as Hampstead. The church was
therefore in a central situation, and was very
convenient not only for the regular ministra-
tions, but for the occasional transaction of
other matters affecting the interests of the de-
nomination to which it belonged. It was also
a very suitable place for clerical reunions, and
for small private meetings of such of the
ministers, elders, and deacons of other reli-
gious bodies as understood each otiun-, and who
were prepared to fraternize and form a com-
pact against the encroachments of a sectarian
enemy. At these quiet contentions, a great
many plans were matured, and w) t;n any im-
portant object was to be attained, a special
meeting could be easily held at the shortest
notice.

In old times, to be sure, before the establish-
ment of Methodism, the Presbyterians in and
about London formed a very strong body of
Christians, who, with the additional force of
other dissenters and non-confonnisis were often
very successful in their attacks on the proud
pretensions of the Episcopal C'hurch. For
many years, the united efforts of these bodies
were mainly directed against the Establish-
ment, which, like a leviathan, was confident
of its own strength, and satisfied with its en-
vied position as a national institution. But in
the course of time, when Methodism raised its
head and became a power on the earth, a " lit-
tle horn which waxed exceeding great," those
bodies discovered in it an insidious and danger-
ous intruder; one most liVely to attract tlie
common people, and. therefore, more to be
feared tiia;; tl>o ,'>la State Church wliich was
fast losing ground in popular affection. The
great policy of the Church Establishnu^nt
seemed to be the acquicition of wealth and po-
litical power, and as long as that object was
secured, it was not of so much importance as
to the number of its adherents ; wealth and
power will always attract followers enough to
secure for the grossest usurpation and tyran-
ny a spurious popularity. As long as the
church had the monarch and a mnjority of the
nobility and great men of tlu; nation, and as
long as its status of PU])eriority was legally ac-
kno\vledg(!d, the English hierarcliy were ijuite
indifferent as to the chimorings of disappoint-
ed and disaffected aspirants.

But Methodism was a power that made it-
self felt. From small beginnings, it gradii-
ally grew and gained strengtli ; stooping to
conquer, and leaving nothing undone to gain
the multitude. At last it strode out like a
pampered giant, lifting in its brawny arms first
the poor and illiterate, then impulsive working
men and traders, tlu^n the more intelligent
and worldly wise- class above ch ss — until

finally, bearing its head aloft, it entered with
stately step the palace of the people, and
placed its representatives on the floor of the
imperial parliament.

This was a power, then, to be dreaded. In
little more than a centr«ry. from an insignifi-
cant sect it had gainea such a footing in Bri-
tain as to leave nearly ill other demuuinations
completely in the shade. Churches that for
centuries had stood the successive assaults of
Popery and Prelacy now became more and
more forsaken and desolate ; and the once popu-
lar preachers of the metropolis had often to de-
liver their lengthy and somniferous expositions
to bare wal.'- and empty seats, while Wesley
and Whitfield were followed from place to
place, and could only accommodate increasing
and excited multitudes by winning them to
Christ under the great cathedral vault of
heaven.

It was difficult, indeed, for ordinary human
nature to stand this. It was not easy to feel
indifferent, and see your household scattered ;
to see the children you had nurtured and
trained from lisping infancy ieavc you in
their sturdy manhood, and give to strangers
the comfort and support to which you consid-
ered yourself entitled by the natural ties of
spiritual consanguinity.

But, it might be said, what difference did it
make, if the children about whom you were
so anxious were now receiving an abundance
of every thing necessary, and were plentifully
supplied with bread of a better quality than
that p(!rhaps which you yourself had to offer ;
what difference did it make if you were desi-
rous to start them in life with a certain
amount of capital, and tliat another person
came forward and generously granted them a
sum greater than your limited means could
issure — what was the difference ?

This mode of reasoning might satisfy some,
but if you were doubtful of the <iuiintitv of
nutriment your children were getting ; if you
vv-^ro dissatisfied as to the quality of bread,
I or had discovered l)y your own testing that it
contained a subtle poison which would pro-
duce drivelling idiocy, or a desire for d^ath;
or if you believedlhat instead of their being
the recii)ients of a liberal allowance, they
were but meagrely fed, and while busy, la-
boring, handed to strangers tin' wages of
their toil wliich yon neiidtHl so much yourself;
if you saw this, and could s(;(! your children
pass you, and even disown you, would there
not lie a feeling of resentment against the
obtruder V

It was from this stand-point that Methodism
was judged by the older sects to whicli the
peoph? wtM'e once so much attached ; and it
required more grac(^ and patii.'ucc! than had
yet b(K;n liestowed to become reconciled to
the rule of such specious (iretenders.
Policy, however, demanded great caution in
' making an attack on a system wliich had al-
ready obtained such a hold on the popular
mind ; the ajiproaches sbouid be made with
secrecy. It would not do to array powerful
texts, and openly denounce its antisci-iptural
t(mching8 with regard to idection and prede»-
til ation and backsliding; it would not do to
speak too rudely about its unlearned preach-

EXETER HALL.

crs and their noisy haransfucs, their pulpit
shoutinor, or their wild, alisurd, and maddenin};
protracted meetinfrs. Keliijion has at all
times b(ist succeeded when the feelings were
enlisted in its favor ; and if the Methodists
were so eminently successful by such strate-
gy, a reserve in denouncing their peculiar
niodii might be most prudent. In the course
of time, the most excitable people would begin
to reason, and reason would bring reflection,
and reflection, even in such matters, might
bring common sense. If a man becomes infat-
uate(l, it Is not always the best way to set him
right by force of ridicule ; opportunities would
arise wlwn a blow could be struck without
observation ; there was even then a Metho-
dist schism, several branches hcd been lopped
off tlie parent tree, and the disinterested
hand of appan-nt symjiathy might be extend-
ed to these scions without evincing too great
a desire to increase the rupture or advance se-
cession.

Thus thought many of the principal men
of the older sects ; and they acted accord-
ingly. There was the usual display of cour-
tesy, pulpits were exchanged, there were union
prayor meetings, and fraternization at j^ublic
meetings ; there was the mutual denunciation
of Popery, and the tacit understanding against
the High Church ; and, therefore, while on the
surface (jvery thing looked calm and pleasant,
there was in reality a working of deep de-
signs, and a determination, when oi)portunity
offered, of detracting and humiliating the
rampant Methodism of tlie day.

On tlie evening before the meeting whi(!h
Mr. Baker was notified to attend, there was a
special reunion in Mr. Campbell's church of
most of the ]>rincipal ministers and official
members of the Presbyterian, Baptist and
Congregational churches, and of one or two
minor sects. Besides the usual number of
ministers, deacons, and elders, there were also
souK^ of the great ones present on the occasion.
Dr. Theophilus Buster, moderator of the
(iimeral Assembly, attended ; so did the Rev.
Caleb Howe, a distinguished preacher and
administrator of the Baptists ; there wen; also
the Hev. .lunah Hall of tin' Independents, and
some of till! most shrewd and active members
of other (lenominatiiins.

Dr. Buster, tbe nu)d(>rator, was sitting at the
end of a large table near the vestry door, and
three or four ministers sat close by, exclusive-
ly engaged on some subject of imjjortance.
There secnned t(j be a disagreement ; for occa-
.sionally a fist would conu: down on the table
with suilieient force to attrnctthe attention of
other persons dispersed in twos ami threes in
different parts of tin; church. Tlu! discussion
at tlie taide rtdated to some ]ilan which was
to be submitted to' all preseni that evening,
and sei'iiieil to keej) the reverend debaters
scnuewhat restless; whilo the mutter of con-
versation around indicated a probable differ-
ence of opinion on the subject which then en-
gaged attention.

An indifferent looker-#n that evening would
have readily discovered that even the select
ministers fluMu* assembled were not of one
mind ; and that within the very precincts of
Mr. C'ampbell'H sanctuary all wuB not har-

mony. Faint whispers, those shadows of
thought, after awhile gave way to loud words
which followed faster and faster from the lips
of ijxcited men. Away from the rest, two dea-
cons sat astride of a fonn, and facing each
other ; they had once been members of the
Close Communion Church under the pastorate
of the Rev. Caleb Howe ; but recently, one of
the deacons became more liberal, and allied
liimself to the Open Connnimiomsts. For this
he was eluded by his more ste&dfast and con-
servative brother ; there was a lively contro-
versy for a time, and a grand flourish of texts
in attack and defense of their different vitnvs.

" I tell you what, John," said the steadfast
dea<'on, "you left us because you had itching
cars, and wanted to hear novelties. The Scrip-
tures are plain and positive on the subject of
my belief, and any who will not conform to
the strict letter of the law have neither part
nor lot in the matter. ' Come out from among
them, and be ye separate,' ii the command,
and you know it, John, as well as I do."

" And why don't you keep separate ?" re-
plied the other. " Tlie Regular Baptists show
the same inconsistency that you do now.
Here you are among unbelievers in one of
your very essentials — ready to take counsel
from them and advise with them upon church
matters; and yet you believe that the major-
ity present, because they differ in opinion with
you, are outside of the pale, and imregener-
ate. Tut, man, if I didn't think these people
fit \o sit with me at the table of the Lord, I
would keep clear of them altogether. I have
r(>ad and re-read the tract of tlie great Robert
Hall on your illiberal Close Communion ; ho
was a true Baptist, and I well remember his
words. He wrote, ' It is too much to expect
an enlightened public will be eager to enroll
themselves among the members of a sect
which displays much of the intolerance of
Popery.' These were the deliberate words
of that saint ; get over them if you can."

" Ay ; but Robert Hall, the saint as you call
him, wasn't gospel," said one of a few listen-
ers who had gathered around the pair of dea-
cons ; " neither was lu; what I would wish a
man to be who pretended t(» continue ' stead-
fast and immovable.' "

" There was no pretense about him, friend ;
you haven't a man among you, at any rate,
that is his ecpial," rei)lied another.

" I think," said a Presbyterian brother,
siding with the defender of Mr. Hall, " I
think that man was an honor to this age;
and although I entirely differ from his opinion
as to what Christian baptism ought to be, Ite
was a man of free mind and made of the
right kind of stuff. If a person finds himself
in error, he ought not to be called inconsistent
because he is willing to be set right, and then
sticks to Avhat he has proved to be truth."

" Eh, now, friend, but that's a strange view
to take," said the steadfast man. " I doubt if
ever any one who had the rvifness of tlio
Spirit would be so ready to change his opinion
at every hand's turn as to the meaning of the
plain command of God. Robert Hall's belief
as to how baptism ought to be administered
was right enough ; liut when he advocated
open communion with the supporters of infant

EXETER HALL.

I if!'*

sprinblingr, lie was wronj?. "We can't budge a
peg from the true word ; nay, man, we have no
right to recognize people as worthy communi-
cants who have not been properly baptized."

" Infant sprinkling ! Well, do you mean to
say," retorted the other, " that any Christian
man who has not been thrust under water
like a gaping duck has not received the prop-
er baptismal rite ? Do you mean to say to my
face that I am not yet baptized ; I, who was
sprinkled by the great Doctor Chalmers him-
self even before I was a week old ?"

" I mean, friend, that unless we are, accord-
ing to Colossians the 2d and 12th, huricd
■with him in baptism, we will be buried in the
earth without it. A mere fillip of mist in the
face may do for Methodists and such Papist-
like folk, but will never do for men who wish
to conform to the plain word — never, man."

" Ah, mon ! but yee're delooded !" struck In
an irritated North Briton, " ye wad twist an
twist the ecriptur to suit yoursel. Wha merit
hae ye in a ploonge abnon a sprinkle? ye
hae nae mickle. Why the poorest body o' a
Mithodist wad sniffle a' that."

A Congregationalist brother now came to
the rescue of the church of John Knox, and
insiste 1 that the language used against infant
baptism was not what might be expected
from any person who knew any thing of
divine grace. It ill became a sot of sour,
deluded divers at the present day to cast a
reflection on the descendants of men Avho had
shed their blond for the truth. It was a proof
that the baptism of which they boasted so
loudly was not sufficient to bestow that
charity that ' thinketh no evil ;' and as the
brother grew warmer on the subject, his decla-
mation became stronger.

At this stage of the discussion, there was
quite an excitement, and it was apparent that
any thing but a religious feeling, or even a
desire to exhibit ordinary forbearance, was
manifested by a large majority of those pres-
ent. By this time, a few of the ministers had
approached, and stood here and tliere, outside
the circle of heads that surrounded the origi-
nal combatants ; and while the deacons and
their respective adherents still hotly contend-
ed, the nil I listers took sides, and frtnn their
winks, nods, and gestures of impatience, it
might be only reasonable to infer that some-
thing more seri(,us than an ordinary alterca-
tion would ensue unless a stop were put to
the gross irregularity of a few hot-headed
men. It would be a curious thing, indeed, to
see the validity of a religious doctrine tested
■njithin the very walls of u church by a resort
to physical force, or by a dis])lay of the barba-
rous science of tl\e trained athletes so disgust-
ingly detailed in BdVii Life. There would
be a nice winding up of this little reunion of
select saints, if may bo the moderator himself
had to leave the sacred edifice with a bandage
over his eye, or his arm in a sling. What
an exani]ile for unbelievers ! and what hosan-
nas would be sung alike* by High Church
and Pa])ist! What heart-breaking connnents
would bo conspicuously printed in ihe Metho-
dist Watchman of the ensuing week! It
would never do. Baptiste and PcdobaptistB,

and all others engaged must at once give up
the unseemly strife, and turn their attention
to the common enemy.

An announcement was made that the mod-
erator desired to make a few remarks on the
present aspect of aftiiirs, in relation to theposi/-
tion and prospects of the denominations repre-
sented by the persons present, and to devise
means whereby a greater union could be estab-
lished between themselves, in order to expose
the errors and spiritual delinquencies of an as-
piring sect, and to prove that its pretended zea-
was not so much for the glory of God as for
the honor and emolument, particularly of its
clerical adherents.

An intimation to this effect was made in a
liurried manner by one of the elders, who,
while speaking, kept extending and closing
his arms, and gently thrusting himself be-
tween some who still stood their ground, as
if indifferent to any thing else but the merits
of the particular mode of baptism which they
had been advocating. By dint of patience,
however, and by giving the wink of fellow-
ship to one, and a confidential nudge to an-
other, and by the gentle force of a few of the
more sensible and discreet of the brethren,..
the principals were separated, and in a few
minutes nearly all were found either seated or
standing in front of the table occupied by the
moderator and ministers ; but although a
truce was thus obtained, it could be easily
perceived from the number of excited eyes,
and ffom certain flushed faces, and by the
lingering looks of defiance that passed from
one to another, that the troubled waters had
not yet fully subsided.

The Hev. Andrew Campbell, minister of St.
Andrews Church, in whfaJh the present little
assembly met, was a stout, low-sized man, evi-
dently well fed. He had a florid face and rcnl- ■
dish hair ; he wore spectacles over a pair of
very prominent eyes, and his countenance in-
dicated no very marked intelligence. There
was, as had been once observed, a kind of cleri-
cal sheepislmess about his looks which his re-
puted leare.ing could not qualify ; but as he
had been indoctrinated into the complexities of
Calvinism at an early age, and had tlu! train-
ing necessary to enable him as a Presbyterian
teacher to explain passages of script un* in sup-
port of that belief, he was ever ready to com-
bat antagonistic oyunions, and was stubborn
enougli to retain his mvn views at any sacri-
fice, ev<Mi against the many contradictory
texts to be found in the Bible in support of
opposite tenets.

Nearly in front of this favored pastor sat
the Kev. Cah'b Howe, the Baptist niinist(>r ; he
was a little taller and a great deal thinner than
his clerical brother of tSt. Andrews ; he, too,
wore sp(!ctacles, Init they Axere slightly shaded
and it was no doubt uncharitably said, that
they were worn as much to hide the " cast" in
one of his eyes as to be of assistance to his vis-
ion. H(! was mild in ajipearance, and one would
imagine ol a constitution too delicate to ad-
minister a spiritual bath to another without
inj ury to himself Ndlwithstanding, however,
the little rumpus that had just taken ]»lace,
he seemed to be in no way disconcerted, but waa

w<
pr

of
ra

j«l
ch

EXETER HALL.

tor pat

tcr ; ho,

IT tlmu

he, too,

sluidt'd

id, tlmt

cast" in

hisvis-

iC Avould

to ad-

vvithout

owover,

jilace,

but waa

now just us ready for other business as he
would have been to defend his idea of the
proper baptismal rite, were it necessary.

Th'jn, there wao the Rev. Jonah Hall, the
Independent minister. He was known as one
of the most popular preachers in London,
rather humorous occasionally, and his pulpit
jokes were retailed far and wide, while his
church was generally filled with the most
select and fashionable of congregotictns. Ho
was a wiry, determined-lookinjr man, alter-
nately aifected by pride and humility ; but in
defense of the faith, one upon whom you
miprbt rely, and one who was ever ready to
back his opinions, either by words or blows, or
in any other manner most convenient to an
opponent.

The other nunisters were unobtrusive look-
ing persons, connected with small sects, yet
men who felt that their spiritual authority
waG something to be recognized ; and some
of thf? elders and deacons were sufficiently
belligerent in aspect to justify the conclusion,
that in a moral combat, not to go any further,
you migiit rely on them as being steadfast
and uncompromising. One could, how(!ver,
observe that most of the persons just referred
to, particularly the nunisters, tried to appear
very mild and courteous, and such was their
ordinary address, unless agitated by doctrinal
disputes, which it seemed were too often
prevalent, even among the reputed heralds of
peace.

But the individual considered the most im-
portant personage present that evening was
tlio Rev. Dr. Theophilus Buster, who, by spe-
cial request, favored the brethren with his pres-
ence ; and with a few exceptions all within the
church paid him the greatest deference and
attention. Hf! was a very tall man, portly
and pompous in appearance ; life stood erect,
and his height seemed to be increased by the
manner in which his coarse bristly hair was
brushed up from his low receding forehead.
He certainly wished to be ccmsidered a person
of no ordinary importance, and he used all
the recognized airs to make that impression.
He wore a suit of tiie deepest clerical black,
cut and fittcnl in tlu^ most approved style ;
u neckcloth of s])otless Avhite was wound
anniiid his stout neck in such a manner as if
intended to splice liis head to his body more
securi'ly ; iiii exceedingly white pair of shirt-
wrists pec^ped out below his coat sleeves, and
though the severe look of his (H)ld grey eye
was not obscured by spectacles, yet tlmre was
pi'iidaut Croni his lUH'k a rich gold-mounted
eye-glass attaclied to a plain black ril)l)on ;
tliis ornaumnt must have added much to his
dignity ; for when he gave one of his many
fornuxl bows, the little glistening glass would
tip ngiiiiist the chain ol' his gold repeat<>r, and
make a tinkling sound, like that which in
Honie i)laces might bo t>xpected to announce
I lie coming of somo great higli priest.

Then his clerical attitude was nu)s't perfect
— jjorfect dignity. His lu^ad and shoulders
were thrown bac'k, and his tiiuml)8 inserted
into thearni-hol(>rt of lus smoothly fitting vest
giving to his soft open hand on each side, t'.-.e
appearance of a rudimentary wing, which
might be 8upi)osed to indicate a preparation

for his final flight from the pomps and vani-
ties of ti'is world to a more exalted sphere of
la'ior.

He was dignified ; not a smile cheered the
sage serenity of his countenance. Ho was
superbly demure, and in nearly every other
respect fitted to make a profound impression
on the ordinary race of believers. From his
tact and finesse in the pulpit, he won the re-
ligious attections of his congregation — the
ladicis in particular were enraptured — and by
such means his church became crowded with
admiring worshipers, and his pews* were
let at exorbitimt rates, the gross rental being
annually a very large sum. He was also im-
mensely popular with his more wealthy hear-
ers ; and by his courtesy and address toAvard
his ministerial brethren, by his advocacy of
sound Calvinistic views, and demand for a
puritanical observance of the Sabbath, ho
won his way until he attained the impor-
tant position as moderator of the General
Assembly.

Dr. Buster's influence with the ladies of his
flock partly arose from another cause ; he was
laboring under a painful difficulty, of a do-
mestic nature. Thorougaly orthodox, ho
could never sanction any under his control to
interpret Scripture so as to conflict with his
ideas ; and while he abhorred a schismatic, he
seemed to exult in pronouncing a dreadful
woe against any imfortunate who dared to
d(mbt a single passage of tlie word of Go'd.
Strange to say, his own wife diff"ered from him.
Her mind had been cast in a different mould
from his ; she was highly intelligent, liberal
in opinion, and benevolent, and could not be
forced to believe contrary to her convictions.
She was not sufficiently passive to be the wife
of a minister ; she would make no empty
formal profession ; and this independenct of
thought and action highly exasperated the
doctor, and ultimately led to alienation, and
sy.stematic persecution. Of this, she was at'
last forced to complain ; but the doctor won
the sympathy of true believers. He made af-
fecting private appeals to many of the chief
men, and to sonu) of tho admiring women,
who were spiritually fed by his hand. None
would countenance tlu! recreancy of his wfe ;
he was looked upon as an afflicted man, whose
efforts to establish truth should be applauded.
None would l)elieve that he was capable of
harshness ; and when he was thus sustained
by nearly all, he became more positive and
exacting, until it was at last rumored that a
separation had taken place, that his domestic
hai)piness was at an end, and that his wife
had taken her de]iarture, none knew whither.

He was now left the sole guardian and pro-
tector of his two children, a boy and a girl,
l)oth of tender years. He had placcMl them
under the care of an old housekeeper who had
lived for some tinu- in his family, and subse-
(juently under the numagement of a more ac-
tive person, who was a memlwr of his own
diurch, a womati who would Xm sure to im-
press their minds with sound religious princi-
l)les. N« wonder then, deserted as he was,
that the doctor had sr many fair sympa-
thizing friends. The ladies of his congrega-
tion looked upou him as one whoso name

EXETER HALL.

:"!

might yet bo hand(^ down to posterity as an
example of patience' under affliction. Tliere-
fore, as an inj ured uncomplaining man in the
cause of truth, his trials were almost a con-
stant theme at tea-parties; and a great portion
of the time, not taken up by missionary or
church afiairs, was spent by his spiritual sis-
ters and daughters, in devising how to add
a little comfort or sunshine to the dreary, win-
try life of this suffering and exemplary Chris-
tian pastor.

There were some reputed wise ones, how-
ever, who were bold enough to assert tliat the
chastened moderator was not altogether a
true pattern of saintly perfection. There
were many, who, like the Rev. Jonah Hall,
for instance, thought he was but a specious
pretender, a cold, unfeeling hyjiocrite, and
that time would yet develop his true charac-
ter. There were murmurs and mutterings
liero and there, that the doctor's public and
private life wcsrc in sad contrast. What had
become of his wife 'i Did he cast her from
him, or was she now the hidden victim of
his resentment ? Was it j)ossible that lie knew
nothing of her ? Why did he keep his house
like a prison, and his children with a stranger ?
There was something irreconcilable in his con-
duct ; and, as these things were, time after
time, mooted, the knowing ones [Tew diuly
more mysterious.

But tlie doctor stood fair with the members
of his own church ; such defamingreports grew
out of sectarian jealousy — notlung else could
be expected. The great Presbyterian body
looked upon him with i)ride as the embodi-
men'.; of learning and piety; and now, as he
was about to address the few assembled in
St. Andrew's Church, wrangling elders and
deacons subsided, and all awaited in silence.

The reverend doctor, on rising with a kind
of easy dignity to address the few around him,
first drew from his pocket a white cambric
handkerchief which he delicately applied to
his lips, as if to remove any impediment to the
flow of words which might be expected to fol-
low. He then made a stately inclination and
commenced:

" Kev. gentlemen and most esteemed friends,
aconmrrence of circumstances has rendered
it imj)erative on mo to solicit your attention
for a short period tliis evening. I desire to
state a few important facts, for the purpose of
stimulating you to prom[)t action against en-
croachments of a ])ecu]iar nature. 1 wish not
to excite an unchristian ebullition, or a mere
effervescence of transient indignation. No,
my friends, we must not be betrayed into any
unseemly demonstration ; we must proceed
cautiously. Therefore, first, I desire calm de-
liberation, secondly, confidence and co()j)(!ra-
tion, and thirdly, strenuous and persevering
effort."

He paused; tho lengthened words uttercid
with such classical jjrecision by the learned
doctor seemed to have 8tep])ed out from his
lips witli measured pace, and to have ranged
themselves about him like a body-guard of
grenadiers.

No wonder that tho Rev. Andrew Campbell
should look upon this fountain of eloquence
with a feeling of denominational pride. No

wonder that elders and deacons, and simple
pastors should stand almost amazed at the
sound of language which they could scarcely
comprehend ; while others huddled closer to
the speaker, as if they fully understood tho
deep meaning, at the close of the finished jHi-
ricd.

The learned doctor continued for some min-
utes in the same strain. He again urged them
to be active ; and though he cautioned them
to be as wise as serpents, he was forgetful of
the context concerning harmlessness of doves.
He made some very pointed and severe remarks
about the illiterate and presumptuous preach-
ers of the day ; he alluded to one particular
sect which he said was as overbearing in its
ignorance as Avas the Church of St. Peter —
the Romish — with all its scholastic attain-
ments. An effort must be made to keep such
men in their proper position. It was not for
Presbyterians, "ho, through many trials, had
once held in submission tho Popery and
Pj'elacy of a former period, to retire before
such a religious rabble ; something more than
a formal protest was necessary ; it would
never do to leave the field to others.

By tliis time the doctor grew warm ; the dig-
nified placidity which at first seemed to hang
like a silken vail over his face, was now drawil"
aside, and a countenance depicting fierce and
vindictive passion was exposed to view ; even
his very admirers felt somewhat uneasy at the
transitifm, and found relief when he took his
seat and applied the white handkerchief to
his heated brow.

There was a murmur of applause, but it
was only a murmur. The brethren breathed
mor(! freely, and looked at each other as if they
had but just escaped from some impending
danger.

In a moment or two, the Rev. Mr. Howe
stood up ; he approved of what tho Rev. mod-
erator had suggested, and remarked that he
was quite free to admit the services and pious
determinatitm of his Presbyterian brethren
in times past, but they must not forget what
others had done. No religious body of ])eo-
ple W(^re ever more ready to make a sacrifice
for the truth than the Baptists, of whom ho
was an unworthy ministiT. He wished to
speak plainly ; he had no confidence in tlie pre-
tensions of Methodists or their allies. He
had been among them often, and had onco
hoped that people who could meet and i)ray
together for the diss(>minati()n of the word,
and for the downfall of Popery — not excepting
that of the High Cliurch — would find no rea-
son to be on thtnr guard against (>ach other.
The Methodists were full of monopolizing de-
signs, he could not trust them ; and he re-
gretted that after all that had been said and
(loiK! by the boasted Evnngelict, 1 Alliance, sec-
tarian jealousy still existed and was particu-
larly manifested by the Wesleyans.

These remarks were agreeably received.
The spirit of the meeting was, " Down with
th(! M(!tliodists !"

" I am glad that the Reverend gentleman
has partly explained himself," said the Uisv. Jo-
nah Hall, of the Independents, " though I wish
that while he is so liberal toward Presbyteri-
ans and Bai)ti8ts, he would not be so forgetful

•■;&

EXETER HALL.

iiitlnman
llov.Jo-

of what, Inclopondonts have done. I hope,"
Haid ho humorously, " that lio does not in-
tend to k'live my particular friends out in tlie
cold, or to classify them with the blatant rant-
ers of the day. The Independents could and
would be indepeiident of all others, if ne-
cessary ; they had sutFered in the cause, and
would occupy no secondary position in the
strufjffle for ri^ht. But, friends, wo have not
met hero to discuss private opinions of supe-
riority ; we came here to try and counteract
the mischievous designs of a eomuion enemy,
and this is the timo and i>lace to begin the
work."

There were cries of "hoar, hear," and the
worthy men assembled felt as if they were
about entering into the s[)irit of the thing.

" I tell you what, " lie continued, " no matter
now about the trifling ditt'erences that may
exist among ourselves, we must put a stop to
the gallop of these Methodist cavaliers who
are cantering about so confidently. It may bo
some time yet before they take the beggar's
ride ; but the swaddlers are on horseback, and
as they are the chief beggars of Christendom,
the adage must come true, for they will surely,
ride to the — well, of course, in this place, and
in presence of so distinguished a divine — " and
he accomi>anied this ironical expression with
a bow to the moderator — " I won't say wlu?ro.
Anyway, we must put a five-barred gate in
their way that they can't jump."

There' was a burst of applause, some loud
laughter, and fresh cries of, " hear him, hear
him." The Rev. moderator about this time
began to show symptoms of displeasure. Had
they forgotten who he wasV His dignity
was hurt ; for the speaker's irony was lather
pointed. This was a case of ministerial jeal-
ousy, tlie general result of mixed assenil>iieH.

" Now, my friends," continued Mr. Hall,
" we have the ranters in a cornijr. They want
to flourish again at Exeter Hall. Let us meet
them to-morrow night on our own ground, and
rout them. Let us now decide who shall be
nominati'd to-morrow evening as our delegate
at the coming anniversary ; by so doing, we go
there prepared to take the wind out of their
sails."

" Yes, that's it," cried two or three, "let us
gopreparedfortlKui. and have (mr man ready."

'riio llev. moderatr)r now sugge.sted that
such a course might be i>remature ; the ninu-
ber tluui ])reseiit was too insignilicant to takc^
a proceeding of that kind. They Wtiulrl meet
many additional friends to-morrow evening
wlio miglit wisli to have a voice in thi^ s(^l(^o-
tion ; and were they now to name a person for a
delegate, it would be unpleasant to be obliged
to lay him asi(l(>. It would be IxMter to let the
delegate be chosen at the regular meciting.

The Kev. Andrew Cami)l)(>ll coiuuirred in
this vi(!W. It would no doubt be mor(> prudent
to leave the selection to the meeting ; while
here, they could make other arrangtnnents,

The Rev. Jonah Hall c(mld not t^ee the
force of such objections to a nomination.
What other arrangciment could th(>y make at
present? lie could not understand the motive
fiU" delay. "With all due deference to the supe-
rior j udgment of the distinguished moderator,"
said he, in his former ironical strain, " there

might be a few pinsent who would approve of
taking action at once. Let us choose some
name to be presented at the meeting ; none of
our absent friends can object. We are now
comparatively calm ; wo might not be bo
much so to-morrow evening."

" I propose," said an Open Communion bro-
ther, starting up, " that the Rev. Jonah Hall be
the person nominated."

Cries of " no, no, yes, yes," were now heard.
Several persons spoke out together, and some
curious expressions were audible. The mod-
erator and Mr. Campbell jumped up at the
same moment, and almost with one voice
rudely condemned the proposal.

Already, there was not only a division but a
subdivision. The moderator, and Mr. Camp-
bell, and Mr. Howe, the Regular Baptist min-
ister, with a few others, were in favor of de-
lay ; while the Rev. Jonah Hall, and the mem-
bers of his church, one or two other preachers,
and nearly all of the Open Communionists
were for proceeding at once ; while still a few
others from each party stood apparently in-
dift'erent, but I'et.dy to join the fl|»jority.

A consiu -arable time was tMft spent, as it
were, in charging and counter-charging. The
Rev. Jonah Hall and his supporters being
most numerous, vould not give way, but
continued in angry altercation and bit-
ter recriminations. The Rev. Mr. Camp-
bell was denounced in his own church.
Ho inight, he was told, order them out if
he liked ; but if he tried to overrule them
as ho seemed willing to do at present, the
motive would be only too plain. If he had
a majority on his side sufficient to sup-
port the nomination of the moderator, all
would be pleasant enough ; but the moderator
was not the man for them, and they would en-
deavor to prove it on the veiy first opportimity.

The discomfited minister of St. Andrew's
had to hide his mortification the best way he
could. The result of this select meeting was
very unexpected. He had hop(^d tiiat the mer-
its of Dr. Buster would have been surtlcientto
decide in his favor ; and although he expressed
a desire to delay the nomination of any person
for delegate, yet ho would not have made the
least objection had the doctor been chosen.

\V'hat an utter want of appreciation and re-
spect was thus shown by the leader of an in-
significant sect toward such a person as the
moderator of the General Assembly ! In a few
minutes, ti'o manifestations were fast becom-
ing pers(mal, and the spirit of sect wa;? again
in the ascendant. The moderator and his par-
ticular friends were in high dudgeon, and were
preparing to leave the church ; but the Rev.
Jonah Hall and his party, desirous of showing
their contempt of the whole proceeding, col-
lected in a body, and as they hastened away
together, the heavy bang of the great church
door resounded through the whole building.

Half an hour after the departure of these
great religious luminaries, the sexton of St.
Andrew's extinguished the lesser lights in that
church — what purpose had they served ? and
as he walived away, alon(!, along the dreary
street, ho met shivering women and hungry
children ; and he looked back at the stately
proportions of the edifice, looming up iu the

"^^^

EXETER HALL.

misty night, and thought of the thousands of
homeless wanderers who would be glad to
find even temporary shelter within such walls.
But there is no humanity in their marlla bo-
soms ; those splendid and costly religious mon-
uments could not be desecrated to charity.
They were not erected as a refuge for the
wretched and forlorn ; they wen; not intended
for the mitigation of real suffering. If they
do not open their spacious doors to shelter the
living poor, they can, lilie the great Abbi^y of
Westminsti-r, receive and protect the wither-
ing remains of the wealthy dead.

CHAPTER VII.

If the Rev. Dr. Buster had reason to feel
aggrieved at the want of courtesy shown him
in St. Andrew's church, and at the indignity
to which he had been subjected by the minis-
ter of a petty sect of Independents, he felt in
some degree compensated by the distin-
guished ) eception he met with at the house of
his reverend friend, Mr. Campbell. ^Vhen it
was known that the doctor was to be the guest
of the minister of St. Andrew's, the ladie.s of
that congregation turned out in companies of
five, or six, and, by tlieir constant calls for sev-
eral hours, fairly besieged the dwelling of thtMr
pastor, which was for the i)reaent to be the
transient or rather temporary abode of one of
the elect, whose Calvinistic virtues and do-
mestic long-Hufferings endeared him to so
many.

It is almost needless to say, that the reverend
doctor was always particularly pleased by such
attentions. To be ministered unto by tlu!
soft hands of Christian sisters, and to be iool^ed
at with affection through their softer evi.'.s,
ought, in a measure, to enable any man to feel
reconciled or indifferent to the unkindness or
hostility of his unscrupulous opponents in the
struggle for precedence or distinction. The
reverend doctor was hut a man in these mat-
ters, and was highly gratified at meeting with
many of his fair friends ; and to look at him,
as he sat in the handsome parlor of Mr.
Campbell, surrounded by so much sweet sym-
pathy, one might be led to suppose that tlie
doctor would bo willing to suffer some slight
misfortune every day, in order to be restored
by sucli a dcslightful remedy.

To wonum, in every relation of life, man is
indebted tor his noblest and most persevering
eltorts. Without the cheering word or stim-
ulating smile of Avoman, many a vast project
■would have been forsaken, and many a con-
eiiicuous laurel never worn ; and, although the
orthodox of the present day might not, in
all cases, be willing to select the women of
the Bible as patterns of feminine goodness, or
domestic virtue, or as models for the heroines
of modern civilization, yet it is asserted that
witliout her influence religion would decay
or languish into the most trivial formality ;
that patriotism would become extinct, and
that many of our most cherished notions would
he forsaken.

In every age; of the world, woman figures
on t^c page of history as the handmaid of

religion. No matter in what form it has ap-
peared, how rude or liow ])ert\ct has been its
revelation, she has favored its progress and lias
assisted in its extension, eitiicr as priestess, si-
byl, vestal, or nun. The lionian, as well as
the Reformed Church is loud in her praise ; and
Protestant missionarits would have very little
success without her cooperation. Among the
distant, rude, half-starved tribes, the mission-
ary's wife in the kitchen "lay be often far
more persuasive than the m.-isiomiry himself
inthe pulpit; and the shii. wrecked mariner
in his distress is often comforted by the
prayer he learnt at his mother's knee, or by the
possession of her Bible as the last endearing
token of her memory.

All sects, therefore, readily acknowledge
that by woman's pious industry churclies are
built, endowments made, missions eslaldished.
Bibles printed, tracts circulated, Sunday-
schools opened, antl worldly comforts secured
for ministers. In fact, by lu.'r zeal, nearly all
the rel'gious machinery of the age is lubrica-
ted and kei)t in operation. As her faitli is
uuecjualed, so her constancy is secure ; and
while doubting, reasoning, incredulous man
is restlessly wandering in Highty speculation,
woman's eye remains unalterably fixed oa.
some bright particular star of hope, and it
watches fondly and lovingly there forever.

It is well, then, that those devoted men who >
undertake the performance of so much minis-
ti'rial drudgery can count on her assistance ;
and it is wt^ll that in seasons of personal
trial, or spiritual adversity, sisters of the
church, whether of Russia, Rome, England, on
Utah, can be found ready to soothe the priest-
hood into forg(!tt'uliiess of private wrongs,
and <'ncourag(! them to "press forward to the
nuirk of their high calling."

This sweet inHuence had ever a most potent
and peculiar effect on the Rev. Do(;tor Buster.
No matter what ])rivale wrongs, what minis-
terial jealousy, what vile misri'])resentations
might disturb his Christian serenity, or cause
; him to feel for a moment the combatative
jiromptings of the old Adam still strong
witl'.in him, when the fair members of his
, own denomination cared for him, and defend-
: (id him, and prayed for him, what cause had
[lie to fearV \\ hy should he despond?
' Biicked by such an angelic host, he could over-
])()wer every assailant, and triumph over every
I enemy.

I The worthy doctor was, therefore, ever
! most gracious in his intercourse with Christian
ladies; indeed, his prefereiici! for female soci-
' ety of any kind was a marked characteristic ;
j but with sisters of the faith, he could for the
time forget every thing of a personal nature ;
with th(;in, evcm in the more formal inter-
change of spiritual courtesies, lu; appeared to
realize perfect happint'ss. Thus it is tluit
good men — the persecuted ministers of the
I liord — are ever rewarded ; thus, while the
} world affects to despise ancl frown upon hum-
ble servants of the cross, they are i)rivileged
to bask in the bright smih'S of pious, devoted
woman. What a sw(>et rewanl for ^lersonal
I sacrifice in the cae.se <»f religion, while the
scoffer and the scornful may bt^ but a prey to
' sullen discontent and uncertainty !

"^.

EXETER HALL.

it lias np-
s been its
SB and has
'iu.xtc'sti, si-
.3 well fts
raise ; and
very little
.monjr the
J misfion-
often far
y himself
[I mariner
1 by the
!, or by the
endearing

inowledge
iirches are
slublisheci,
yunday-
■ts secured
nearly all
is lubrica-
;r faith is
•cure ; and
ilous man
)(Culation,
fixed oa.
)pe, and it
re forever.
i men who ^
uch minis-
issistance ;
r personal
rs of the
Ingland, or
the priest-
,e wrongs,
ard to the

ost potent

or Buster.

lat minis-

sentations

or cause

ibatativo

1 strong

rs of his

1(1 dofend-

auso had

Icspond ?

uld over-

ver every

)ro, ever
Christian
nuile soci-
nctoristic ;
1(1 for the
il nature ;
ml inter-
)poai't!d to
is tliat
rs of the
ivhile the
pon hum-
)rivilegod
i, devoted

])ers()nal
vhile the

a prey to

Next to the interest which the doctor's visit
created, tliiTe was that causi.'d by the meeting
of the Branch Bible S(X'iety, to be held that
evening. Tlu; doctor would bo present on
that octrasion, and the ladies of Mr. (.'anii)b(>ir8
congregation were in a state of comnjotion:
a number of fair collectors were marslialing
their forces, and malcing out sums total ; all
wen; anxious to have a large amount placed
to the credit of Pr(!sl)yt(;rian energy. Then
there wtus to be a great preliniinury tea-meet-
ing, at which the doctor would ask the jjlesa-
ing ; would not this be a treat".' And then to
hear him relate some missionary anecdote, or
repay your own Sunday-school trials with
one of his bland smiles ; would not that bo
agreeable 1 It was altogether a time of great
interest to the pious ladies crowded together,
and one miglit be inclined to excuse the total
neglect of sundry little household matters,
when such affairs of religious importance had
to be transacted ; the L ud's business of course
required tiieir first attention.
. However, while the soiree at which the doc-
ti«r presided was comfortably crowded with the
well-dressed ladies of St. Andrew's, and while
the (ixtensivo tea-tabl at Mr. Campbell's was
enMvened by innocent chit-chat, and by the
Bmart witticisms and soft tlattery of the mode-
rator, the llev. Jonah Hall was similarly engag-
ed nt a tea-m(3eting in his own house. There,
also, many of the gay but sanctified sisters of
Israel met to sip Boliea and discuss its price ;
and afterward to ascertain the amount of local
collections for the circulation of the Great Book,
and to make out certain lists of lady collectors
for the ensuing year. Presbyterians, and Meth-
odists, and others had of late succeeded in get-
ting a choice of such officials almost to the ex-
clusion of the Independents, and an attempt
was to bo made at the meeting that night to
rectify thisomission, as well as to teach Dr. Bus-
ter and other aspiring people a lesson of humil-
ity. Pastors are general.y regarded with
great interest by the female members of their
congregations, and the Rev. Jonah Hall was
not an excei)tion. There was a certain dash
about him which made his manner rather at-
tractive to the younger women of his flock ;
and of course, in their opinion, he was every
way superior to the pompous," pretentious
moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly.

After these rcsjjective tea-meetings were
over, it was expected that all concerned would
wend their way to the Baptist church. The
annual gathering of the friends of the Hamp-
Btead Branch Bible Society was always an occa-
sion of great interest to worldlings as well as
to worshipers ; more particularly to pious dis-
Benters. Indeed, taking it altogether, the so-
ciety was a popalar institution. To be an offi-
cer, to be one of its many vice-presidents, or
to be able to contribute a fair amount to its
funds was sure to pay, or to turn out a good
Investment. Tlie meeting that evening would
HO doubt be very interesting ; it would be like
Exeter Hall on a small scale ; there would be
the local ministers of several denominations ;
there would bo a few great ones, like Doctor

JBuster ; and there would be anthems and an-
j^idotes, ami speeches, and thrilling extracts

-jfroni missionary reports. And then how pleas-

^i •

ant it would be to see ministers and members
' of different sects meet atvono body, act with
\ one spirit, and be enlivened by the same Oos-
I pel vitality ; it would be pleasant, indeed;
would it not be a sight to abash the scoffer
and infidel ? There would be the place to
prove how Christians could be " kindly affec-
ticmate one to another, in honor preferring
each other." That would be the place to put
unbelievers to shame, and to prove how worth-
less were the insinuations and predictions ut-
tered against Christian fellowsliip. Yes, the
harmony that should jjrevail among an assem-
bly of believers would be an overwhelming
evidence in favor of tho " unity of spirit" and
th(^ " bonds of peace."

What wrecks of fancy are strewn upon the
rocks of fact ! Our once bright hopes are now
but phantoms to the memory! Upon what
moonbeams have our noblest structures been
erected ! How seldom are our most pleasing
anticipations realized ! how often, on the con-
trary, are th'- budding leaves of Hope sudden-
ly withered and blown into our faces by some
chilling blast of adversity ! It is hard to see
the creations of faith, that 1' .)k so bright and
beautiful in the distance, become dim and
faded on nearer apjiroach ; but such is the
experience of life, and the Icjson is often and
often taught us when perhr.ps we least expect
its r(!petition.

While many of the good people who were
then in social intercourse and enjoyment at
the respective houses of the Rev. Mr. Campbell
and tho Rev. Jonah Hall, and while many
other less demonstrative Christians were
making prepavations to attend tho meeting
that evening, the Rev. James Baker was at
home with a few friends, making ready for the
same occasion. He had only returned an hour
or two previously, after having taken a long
ride through various parts of his circuit, not
for the pur^wse of filling his regular appoint-
ments, but he hud been to places where he
was sure to find some of the strongest friends
of Methodism, and some of tho stoutest and
most bitter opponents of Calvinism. That
his journey, for whatever purpose undertaken,
had been successful, was apparent at a glance.

Tho preacher was in tlie best humor. It
was (juite plain that he felt like a man who
h(!ld a trump card, that tho game was secure,
or that ho could checkmate his opponent at
the proper moment. The friends who were
now his guests were men who could be relied
on ; their mental bias was unalterable. They
were })rominent local preachers and circuit
stewards. They, too, had a confident look
about them, which seemed to say, we're ready
for a brush, for we know we can win. There
was no mistaking their appearance as being
church functionaries of some kind. They wore
black coats of peculiar cut, and heavy wh'.tish
neckerchiefs ; only one or tv.^o were dressed in
a more worldly fashion.

Mrs. Baker also had company. A few of
the members of her class had, as usual, remain-
ed after their religious duties were over,
among whom wis Mrs. Manners. Altogether,
there was a good number of persons present,
mostly all of one mind,a<id lively in anticipa-
tion of an assured success. Tea Iiad been.

EXETER HALL.

' ■ ',1 .

provided for all, and tlie various topics pleas-
antly discussed at tlvp table were on this occa-
sion particularly intercstinjf . After Mr. Baker
and liia frieiula had partaken of tlie good
cheer, they retired, as if for a short rehearsal
of the respective parts to bo pcrformeil at llie
meeting. During their absence, the ladies
continued sipping at their cups, and were en-
gaged in the frivolous chat which among
church-members becomes almost religious un-
der the mild inspiration of Young Hyson.

Mrs. Mannors made some anxious intpiij-ies
about Mr. Capel. Ho had not yet returned
from the circuit, but was expected every iiio-
raent. She wished to let him know how
pleased lier husband felt that ho consented to
make lier house his homo for a season. She
contented herself in the mean time, however,
by edifying her sisters with the relation of a
very strange dream she had had since her first
meeting with the young preacher, and she
was curious to know what would be his inter-
pretation.

The cliurcli of the Rev. Caleb Howe, the
regular Baptist minister, Avas a jjlainer edifice
than St. Andrew's, but fully as large, aiid
might possibly accommodate a greater num-
ber. Its pews were not so richly cushioned as
the luxurious dens of the Presl\vterian sanctu-
ary, and, therefore, not so liable to be injured
during demonstrations at religious anniversa-
;ries. The building was brilliantly lighted up ; a
••spacious platform had been erected and cover-
ed with rich carpeting. There was a fine arm-
chair for the president, and a small table at
which the secretary could sit, with a sufficient
number of cliairs for the acconinnxlation of
the reverend gentlemen, and other speakers
who were expected to address the meeting. It
was yet early in the evening ; only a few elder-
ly persons had entered the pews, and several la-
dies of the congregation werc*conipl(;ting sun-
dry little arrangements necessary for the occa-
sion.

Tliere were two large arched doorways in
front of the building. In a few minu „es, there
was a rush of persons through them, who, upon
entering the cliurch, hastily took possession
of the front seats and pews, and of such otlier
places as would afford the best views of the
different speakers. The rush continued. In
they came, disorderly enough ; there was crush-
ing and crowding for any spot nearest the
platform, and with many jjersons there was as
little propriety of manner as if they had l)een
jostling each other at a circus. The respect
usually shown for the house of the Lord now
seemed to have been forgotten, and so punctual
was the attendance on this particular evening,
that in about half an hour from the time of
tlie first rush, th» church was completely filled
in every part ; even standing-room in any spot
of the building could be found but with
great difficulty. There was a perfect jam ;
and many of the more orderly church-goers
wondered, no doubt, at the very unusual zeal
or fervor exhibited by such a number of pro-
fessed ('hristians.

There was not, however, the same hurry
shown to occupy the platform; the chairs
were yet vacant ; and although there were a
;iiew elders and deacons present, tliey merely

stood conv<Tsmg in a quiet corner, as if await
ing orders.^ There were none of tlu! rulers
yet to be seen, unless the Uev. Mr. How(;. the
l>astor of the church, might be called one of
that class. Ho was of course there to receive
those who were about to lienor h's tabernacle ;
and lest there should Ik; any show of impa-
tience exhibited by the expectant crowd, lie
directed the choir to sing an anthem. The
trained voices were soon heard ; but before the
anthem was ended, the Kev. Doctor Buster
had been allotted tlie most conspicuous jdacn
on the carpeted elevati<m. He was followed
or attendc^d by the Rev. Mr. Cami)bell, and ono
or two others. The doctor had scarcely been
seated before the Rev. Jonah Hall took up a
positiim, and, immediately afterward, the Rev.
James Baker, Mr. Capel, and the secretary,
took their seats upon the platform. As each
minister made his appearance, he made rather
a formal bow to his clerical brethren, and a
kind of partisan greeting could be heard hero
and there from people in the pews, though
not sufficiently loud to attract any particular
attention.

Other preachers liad arrived ; every thing
was now ready. The difl'erent ministers and
speakers were seated like enthroned saints be-
fore tlie assembly, and a deej) sihrnce prevail-
ed, something of the same nature as the omi-
nous stillness which it is said precedes for a
short time an impending battle, while the
combatants stand ranged before each other
awaiting the dread command for the begin-
ning of deadly strife.

Tho Rev. Mr. Howe, pastor of the chiuch,
stei)ped, at last, to the front of the secretary's
table and gave out a hymn. He read it slow-
ly, and then the choir, aided by a few of the
ministers and by several voices in the body of
the church, sung it through. Mr. Howe then
called on tlie Rev. Andrew Campbell to ofRjr
up a prayer. That gentleman stood up, and
having piously closed his eyes and lifted his
hand, began a prayer which for genuine fer-
vency could not be surpassed. He alluded to
the gross darkness which once prevailed over
the whole earth, and to the great and glorious
effects of the Gospel in enlightening tlio hu-
man mind, and in dispelling the clouds of
error and superstition which in times past had
oversliadowed the world. He spoke of tho
salutiiry influence of Christianity on the licai-t,
and of its power in softening and liumanizing
men who were by nature and habit hardened
in iniquity. Without the Gospel, what would
the world be, how deplorable the condition of
niiinkind ; but what blessed results had follow-
ed in its footsteps. Now, the scoft'er and un-
believer could witness its efficacy in bringing
together men who were once aliens ; in mak-
ing men of every land and clime love each
other with childlike simplicity, and in estab-
lishing a spirit of union and harmony among
all who became subject to its divine influence.
Yes, it was the i)roud boast of Christianity
that it was peculiarly the religion of peace
and love.

Tho reverend gentleman toiled for somo
time through the various repetitions of his
prayer: he was felt to be tedious; but lie,
worthy man, was almost tearfully affected by

■i

EXETER HALL.

, as if await
f tli<i rulers
r. IIowc. till!
alli!(l one of
re to receive
i tabornaclo ;
ivr of impa-
it crowd, lie
itliem. The
it before the
)ctor Buster
icuous place
vas followed
bell, and one
I'arcely been
11 took up a
rd, the Rev.
le pecretary,
m. As each
made rather
thren, and a
3 heard here
!ws, thouffh
y particular

every thinj;
inisters and
cd saints he-
nce prevail-

aa the omi-
icedes for a
!, while the

each other
r the begin-

the church,
secretary's
read it slow-
. few of the
the body of
Howe then
3eU to offer
ood up, and

lifted his
genuine fer-
e alluded to
vailed over
nd glorious
ing the hu-

clouds of
les past had
)ok() of the
n the heart,
uimanizing
it hardened
what would
ondition of
had follow-
er and un-
n bringing
in luak-

love each
d in ostab-
ony among
o influence,
.'hristianity
l>n of peace

i for Bomo
ions of hin
18 ; but lie,
affected by

the solemn sound of his own words, and no
doubt liiaiiy i)ersons in the chun;h followed
liirn in his pious ejaculations. But there were
two or three friends near him. who, although
in tiie various attitudes of devotion most ap-
proved of by their resj)ective sects, did not
seem to heed his jKitition, but were intently
watching the peculiar expression of his face.
The Uev. James Baker knelt on one side of
him. whil(i the Kev. Jonah Hall stood in the
opposite direction ; and, aUhotigh neither of
the ministers could see the other, their steady
ffazo was fixed on the imjRirtuning ])asti)r of
Bt. Andrew's as if perfe(!tly astonished by the
liberality of his address, or at some personal
singularity which seemed to engage their
whole attention.

When the prayer was ended, another an-
them was sung Ijy the choir with good effect ;
and at the conclusion of this service, the sec-
retary intimated that, as the president was
unavoidably absent, it would be necessary to
appoint a chairman, in order that the riiport
might bo read and the business of the eve-
ning forwar.led.

lie had scarcely finished these words before
several persons started up, each as if deter-
mined upon naming a different gentleman for
chairman. This was the cause of some con-
fusion, as nobody could be distinctly heard.
At last, during a momentary pause, the Kev.
Mr. Baker rose, and moved that Thomas Bol-
ster, Esq., take the chair.

Mr. \Vesley Jacobs, a local preacher, second-
ed the motion.

Mr. Jolin Tliom])son, a deacon of the Regu-
lar Baptists, said he regretted that such a mo-
tion had b<!en made ; it was a great breach
of docorum to nominate any other than the
vice-president ; it was his place to take tlu*
chair in the absence of the president. He
thought tlie motion of Mr. Baker was signifi-
cant ; it. boded no good to the society. He
•would th(Tetbre move in amendment that the
vice-president do take the chair.

Tie Rev. Doctor Buster said it was a very
unusual thing indeed to exclude at a public
meeting any ofUcer from his proper place.
Tlie yjosition of cliairman was duo this eve-
ning to the vice-president, and he would second
the amendment.

There was then a great (mtcry on the plat-
form. The Revs. Baker, Campbell. Dr. Bus-
ter, and others, all vociferating together, either
for or agaihst the amendment ; while, at the
same time, strong symptoms of excitement
were manifest among the peo])le.

Shouts of " Motion, motion, motion" were
now hoard arouad ; and the secretary after some
dehp' and much altercation declared the
amendment carried, and called on Mr. Thomas ]
Johnson, the vice-president, to take the chair.

A sctmo of great confusion now ensued ;
peop'o in different parts of the church were
using loud, angry words; and the wild and
rapid gesticulations of many almost terrified
the trreater number of ladies present.

The vice-president then moved toward the
chair, bit it was pulled aside just as he was
going to take his seat, and he would have
fallen violently, were it not for the readiness

and activity of the Rev. Mr. Hall in arresting
his backward descent.

The Rev. Ca'eb Howe cried out, " Order, or-
der, order !" and declared that such conduct
was most disgraceful. He was going on to
speak, but fresh cries of " ("hair, chair, chair!"
obliged him to retire without being further
heard.

The vice-president at last became seated ; but
the Rev. Mr. Baker in an excited manner im-
mediately cried out ; " I protest against this
decision. The chairman has not yet been
fairly appointed ; I move that — "

Hero the uproar increased to such an extent
that many left the pews and got upon tho
platform, which was now nearly crowded.
Doctor Buster and the Rev. Jonah Hall stood
face to face, as if boldly defying each other, and
using gestures which might lead one every
moment to expect that the argument between
these brethren was not going to bo entirely
decided by mere noisy words.

The vice-president, in order the better to at-
tract attention, now stood on tho chair, and
winding about his arms, loudly demanded to
be heard even for a few moments. He must
have had some courage to do this ; for he was
swayed about on his narrow standing place
and one might expect every instant to see him
fall over on the heads of the reverend comba-
tants by whom he was surrounded.

" If you are Christians, I demand to bo
heard, I wish to say a few words. I will not
detain you. Let me say only a — "

The Rev. Doctor Buster fairly staggered
under *he load of humanity that had just
flopped into his arms. The poor vice-presi-
dent was as much astonished at the suddenness
of his own descent. There was no time for
apology, and ho as suddenly remounted the
chair ; and while the doctor was trying to re-
cover his surprise and look calm, the vice-presi-
dent again demanded the right to be heard for
a few moments.

Appearances were now becoming more
favorable for him. Voices from all sides were
heard, and the words " Hear him, hear him !"
came so fast and loud, that all seemed willing
for a new issue by hearing somebody,

Tho vice-president then said, that it had
been objected that he should occupy the chair
at that meeting. Why such an objection was
raised, he couUl not say. He did not wish to
claim any right to dictate, but tliis he did
know, that in any other place, or on any other
occasion, or among tho most worldly people,
more respect would Iwive been shown to any
one occupying the position of vice-president
of a society than had been shown to him by
that assembly of Gospel ministers and profess-
ing Christians ; even the well-known decency
and decorum observed among open unbelievers
should put them to shame. The usages of
p]xeter Hall Avere entirely different ; such con-
duct would not be tolerated there for a mo-
ment. The professed object of the meeting
that evening was to promote tho circulation of
the Holy Scriptures; but it was apparent ths*;
that was not tho sole object of all present.
If a sectarian battle had to be fought in that
place, he would not be tho umpire ; neither

EXETER HALL.

would lio he tlio 8tftn(lnrd-l)carr'r for any party.
Up only Haw nn array of sect ajjainst Hcct, and
not a union of well disjioHed men. lie wf)uld
now leave the chair, for he was painixl to see
Christianity so de^adud by its professed
friends.

" Then leave it at onne," slionted some one
at his elbow, after which there was cheering
and hisses.

The Kcv. Mr. "Baker a^jain called lustily for
his nominee, Mr. Bolster. " I aj;ain demand
that Mr. Bolster take the rhair."

The noise was now much increa-i^ed ; there
wore hootinjTS and catcalls from several parts ;
and the Rev. Mr. Howe once more tried to gay
somethinjr. but could not {jet a hearinjj.

The Rev. Jonah Hall here rushed to the
front, raisinjr nnd tlourishinj; his shut fist ; he
wanted to know if British law would not i)ro-
tect them in their just rights ; he wanted to
know if — A concert of yells prevented another
word from beinff heard, and after a continued
strufrpfle with the discordant crowd b 'fore him,
lie was forced to retire ; but all the while
made desperate efforts to raise liis voice high-
er and hi<rher.

The platform was now one scene of confu-
sion. Doctor Buster still sat with an apparent
stubborn indifference to what was {join*? on ;
lie cast occasional side {jlances at his Reverend
brothers Hall, and Baker, and thought what
a relief it v/ould then bo to him could lie con-
sistently throw asidr;, but for a few moments,
his wearied, injurwl dijrnity, and give these
irritatinn; l)retliren a slijfht evidence of his
physical power — even of his rifjht arm and
shut fist — or even the layinj; on of but one
liand, that they lonjEf mifjlit remember. But
this could not be ; and the doctor still sut
lookinpr quietly at the 8ideli<?hts — (me would
think the most patient of men — heroically in-
different to the squabbles of contendinff cler-
gy and official members. Yes, there the doc-
tor sat in exemplary forbearance, as the distin-
guished moderator of the General Assembly.

The Rev. Mr. Campbell was, however, very
much affitated. He had for the last half hour
made several attempts to speak ; but as sure as
he began, his wo Is were drowned in groans,
and hisses, and ytlls, innumerable ; one could
see his lii)S and jaws going, in a vain effort to
make himself heard ; yet, after having manful-
ly faced the storm, making the best use of his
most practiced frowns, he had to retire in con-
fusion from shouts of laughter. What made
his case worse was, that by some means in the
mett'C one of the glasses of his spectacles got
knocked out ; and as he violently waved
and nodded his head about, the remaining
glass gave his face a singular appearance as
if he were trying to wink continually with
but one glistening eye.

Again, cries and veils came from all parts
of the church : " Chair, chair !" "Campbell !"
" Bolster !" " Buster !" " Baker !" " Hall !" and
then there was a waving of hats and hand-
kerchiefs ; and even many of the ladies now
caught the excitement, and held up their
hands, waving away violently whenever a
favorite name was shouted.

It was now felt by nearly all present who
could still think with any calmness within the

'circle of such n babel that to try and hold a
meeting that night, and in'thnt church, wt\s,
or would be, an utter iuipossil)ility. Witii the
exception of Mr. Ciq)el, and another young
minister, «'very i)reacher, and deacon, and el-
der in the place was as i-xcittil and as ready
f«r fight as his neighlior ; and the continued
shouting, and laughter, and confusion in the
body of the church was almost «leafeninjr
Tho secretary had prudently bundled up his
books and jiapers, and stepped down from tlu?
platform, anxious to push through the agitated
mob that was still crushing and crowding.
With some difficulty he was permitted to forc(5
his way to a side iloor, where he and a few
others found egress from the building, and
who were, no doubt, glad to reach the open air
again.

At this stage of the proceedings, when near-
ly all were satisfied that it would be useless
to try to transact any busine.ss, perhaps tlu^
only person then within the church who could
say with any effect, "Peace, b«! still !" now ad-
vanced toward the secretary's tabh). There
was no trace of either fear or excitement upon
his countenance ; he was perfectly calm, and
his very appearance created such an interest
in his favor that all seemed anxious to hear
him speak. There was a lull in the storm,
and in a few minutes the breathing of an in-
fant might have been hoard, so great was tl>e
sudden sf.llness.

Mr. t apel then stood before the people, and
in a low, but audible voice, addressed them.

He said ho was but a stronger, and he
might sriv in a strange lan.i. He had Imt
lately left his own country to labor in their
favored island, and in the vineyard of tho
Lord, among the followers of Knox, and Bax-
ter, and Wesley. He did not come as the
supjiorter of sectarianism. He did not want
to know who wa.i for a Panl, or for an Apol-
los, or for a Cephas ; but who was for Christ.
He appeared that night before them as his
unworthy servant, to say that he was grieved
at the great disunion manifested, and that it
was plain to perceive that they seemed entire-
ly forgetful of the great object for which they
had ostensibly met. As it was, it would be
now better to depart in peace, until some
more gracious opportunity would bring them
together. He felt pained to say one word by
way of reproach, but he must speak plainly,
and say, that God was dishonored among his
own people, and in his own house. He would
now ask all present to retire, and not by any
further attempts at discord to bring the Gos-
pel into contempt and give a triumph to un-
believer'5.

He spoke some time longer in the same
strain ; and his Avords had the desired effect
with a number of persons. A great many
immediately left the building ; but the spirit
of contention was »»ot yet subdued, and the
speaker no sooner took his seat tlian some
one cried out :

"A speech from Doctor Buster! — Buster,
wake up !"

The learned doctor felt indignant to be
thus rudely called out to face a rabble ; but ho
apparently suppressed every feeling of agita-
tion by merely turning his elegant eye-glass

EXETER HALL.

nncl lioM a
hurcli. wnrt,
Witlitliw
tluT younjj
■f)n, and el-
id as rea<iy
e conliniu'd
ision in tlio
d«'art'ninjr
llt'd up liis
\n from tlin
Ihcafritfttcd
1 cTowdinfj.
tied to forci!
' and a Ibw
lildinj?, and
tlio open air

when near-
l 1)0 useless
perlinps IIk^
ii who could
II !" noAv ad-
bh;. There
enicnt upon
y calm, and
an interest
oua to hear
1 the storm,
nff of an in-
reat was t^

' people, and

ised tliem.

;er, and he

[le had but

or in their

•ard of the

X, and Hax-

ine as the

not want

an Apol-

br Christ.

em as his

IS frrieved

and that it

nied entirc-

which they

would be

until some

bring them

ne word by

ak plainly,

among his

lie would

ot by any

g the Gog-

nph to un-

the same

ired effect

eat many

the spirit

, and the

than some

! — Buster,

ant to be
le ; but ho
T of agita-
eye-glass

in the direction from where the voice had
pn weeded.

Sliituts were again renewe<l for "Truster!"
"Haixei-:" '•('ami>b(ll!" "Hull!" Numbers
Wert' Uivving the cliurcii as fiwt as they could ;
nearly all the ministers hud left, but there
weri^ many who renuiined jeering, shouting,
and huigliiug, dcterniined. as they said, " to
Bi'A'. I he tini out." The <'hur<*h luid now a dim
appearance ; it was getting giiMiiiiy, as the gas
had b«;i'ii turni"*! otl' in many places : but there
still lingered on the platform a s«*t of n'ckless
fellows, as if exju'cting something else to oc-
cur, and t lieir expectations were stMm gratified.

Tliere wjis on<; of these, a strong partisan
of Mr. Haker, who was an ade((t at mimicry,
niid who tried, as if on a stage, to give a bur-
les((ue representation of the »ir and manner
of Doctor Buster, and (o turn the moderator
into ridicule. This conduct was not approved
of by at least one stout man, who, with a
heavy stick, struck the mock actor a violent
blow, ami was going to repeat the exju'ri-
nient, when in a nu)ment there was a rush of
excited jjersons, and the platform was at once
converted into something like a prize ring.
Two angry men wens struggling tor posses-
sion of the stick, and there was a swaying to
and fro among a knot of men, pushing and
lycking in all directions,

Xt this time, the noise could l)e hearti some
distance from the chundi ; seats were knwked
about, ])e\v-doora pulled off, and books torn ;
and were it not for the timely arrival of a

Ijarty of constables, the building itself might
uive been much injured. The Sfictarian revel
was over ; no gtiod had been done, no dele-
gate had been cho.sen, but the reverend chief
actors in tluur jealousy had determined, each
for his i)arty, to 8upix)rt indejuindently and
more fully, with Ciod's help, the noble cause of
cheap Bibles at the next great anniversary in
Exeter Hall.*

When Mr. Baker got home that night, he
felt highly ])leased, and in the best humor.
M'ith his o))en hand he gave his wife a hearty
elap between the shoulders, and said : " I told
you we w«)uld be read}' for C'ampbell. Ha,
ha! I wonder what tlio great Dr. Buster
now thinks of ue ! He tries to make others be-
lieve that Methodist intiuence is waning, 1
fancy his notion is a little changed already.
Let them send a delegate to Exeter Hall, and
we will show ourselves there too, by way of
no thanks. (t(m1 will ])rosper us, in si)ite, of
all theycjmdo. Won't ])oor Campbell pray
for us after this? Ha, ha!"

Mrs. Baker, good woman, though not at all
dissatisfied at the residt of the meeting, was
yet more guarded in her exjiressions; she saw
that Air. Cai)el was very silent ; she knew that
young preachers, like fresh converts, are for a
time very ardent and fraternal, and she did
not wish that any thing should l)e said to
make him feel that her husl)and was too sec-
ftariau, or forgetful of his position as a Cliris-
"tian minister. Nevertheless, she was greatly
pleased that the Presbyterian scheme was de-
'featcd, and her faith grew stronger and
.^'Stronger in the God of Wesleyanism.

After Mr. CajK^l had retired to his ro< m, he

♦ See Note B.

I felt like one that had been dreaming. He
fancied that he still sat on the platform ; he
saw the |)eoplo before him ; lu! saw the glare
of lights, and he again heard the wild confu-
sion. Was it all a dream ? He could hardly
realize that he had been to a church where a
pidilic meeting was to have been held by se-
rious Christian men, and that from the hatred
of sectfi tin; work of the Lord had been en-
tirely disregarded, in order to secure a secta-
rian triumph. Could he believe that such
loud ])rofes8ion should, after all, be but as " a
sounding brass or tinkling cymbal ;" that
men who loved their Bibles, and who prayed
and wept for sinners, should exhibit such ha-
tred toward each other? Was this the grand
result of what the Gosptd had done for thctn
— was this CHiristianity V And if that (insjicl
had thus failed in controlling the jui;..'lses of
the semi-civilized of Britain, whai v ui d it do
among barbarians at Madagascar? He had
often discovered hypocritical ])rofe.ssors of re-
ligion, but he did not expect to witness such
actual jealfjusy and hatred among a class,
numy of whom had made au open dcolaratioa
of faith, and who had sohimnly testified that
they felt moved by the Spirit of God to go and
preach the (lospel. Were these men mad or
deluded? Why were there so many creeds,
even among Protestants, bitterly anathema-
tizing each other as teachers of error ? If the
Scriptures were truth, and if the truth was so
plain, why so nmch contention — why such di-
versity of oi)inion? He then dwelt upon the
historical havoc caused by Christianity, and
the solemn question arose : What has the Bi-
ble done for mankind?

In times of great doubt or perplexity, Mr.
Capel often resorted to the common practice of
opening his Bible, and reading the first pas-
sage or text that met his eye. In doing this,
he sometimes thought that he had ftund
many comforting assurances. He now ojjened
the " inspired book" in several places, but con-
flicting verses only caused greater dep-sssion.

" No man ha''\ seen Ood at any time." John 1 : 18.
" For I have gceii (tod liicc to llice, and my lil'e is pre-
served." Gen. 32:30.

" And God saw every thin<» that he had made, and
behold it was very coed." Gen. 1 : 31.

•' And it reixaitecfthe Lord that lie had made man ou
the earth, ana it jjrieved him at his heart." Gen. G : 6,

" For I am the Lord ; I change not," Mai. 3 : 6.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of
peace." 1 Cor. 14 : ;W.

" I make peace and create evil, I the Lord do all these
thinjin." I*. 4.5 : 7.

" Out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not
evil and good." Lam. 3 : 18.

" For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that
Fcoketh fludeth, and to him tliat knoeketh, it shall be
opened." Matt. 7:8.

" Then shall tliey call upon me. but I will not answer;
tliev fliall Keek me early, but they shall notflud me.'*
ProV. 1 : 28.

" Let no man say when he i? tempted. I am tempted
of (Jod : for God can not l)e ti!mj)t.(!d wiih evil, neither
tempteth he any man." .Tas. 1 : 13.

'• And it cAme to pass after theue tilings that God did
tempt Ahruham." Gen. 22 : 1.

" If any of you lack wiFdoui, let him a^k of God that
giveth to all meu liberally, and upbraidoth not ; and
ft shall be given him." Jas. 1:5.

EXETER HALL.

" no hath blinded their ovcs and hardened their
hoart, that they should not nee with their eves nor
understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them. John IS : 40.

" Who will have all men to bo saved, and to come
unto tlie knowledge of the truth:' 1 Tim. a : 4.

" And for this cause (Jod shall send tliem stronc: de-
lasion that they should believe a lie:' 2 Thess. 2:11.

Gofl delude men unto the belief of a lie!
Could this be so ? lln paused a lonj? time, and
liis finjjor still touched the passajre he had
just read. If the Lord is" abundant in good-
ness and truth," can he or will he ensnare a
man to his own destruction? This Avas what
he now thouofht ; and the contradictory texts
which had opened to him seemed to rise \\y> —
a horrible cloud of doubt, cold, bleak, and des-
olate. He was startled, and looked eajrorly
around as if Jiopo and happiness h.ad left him
forever. A^ain he ventured to seek another
text, and read :

" The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger
and plenteous in mercy." Ps. 103 : 8.

'• His anger endureth but a moment." I'.-*. 30 : 5.

" The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. Jas.
5 : 11.

" For his mercy endureth forever." 1 Chron. 10 : 34.

These were blessed reassuring words ; and
lie opened the book again.

" I will not pitv. nor spare, nor have mercy, but dc-
strov." Jer. 13 : 14.

'• If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take
hold on judgmcint, I will render vengeance to mine ene-
mies and reward them that hate me. I will make
mine arrows drunk witii blood, and my sword siiall
devour tlesh ; and that with the blood of'^ the slaiii and
of tlie captives from the beginning of revenges upon
the enemy." Dent.

'•Depart from mc, ye cursed, into everlasting fire."
Matt 25 : 41.

Agan he relapsed into despondency ! For
the iirs'u time ho began to think whether he
could really love an omnipotent Being who
was so im^dacablo. He closed the BilJle and
put it aside, and then sat Avith his head re-
clined or the table until it was far in the
night, thinking of the crimes, and batthis, and
brutalities ; and of the butcheries, murders,
blood, and obscenities, recorded as the author-
ized transactions of a benevolent Dt 'y. He
shuddcretl at the fearful record ; it M'as revolt-
ing ! Was there blasplieray on his lips when
ho muttered, " (^ood God! It is like the rev-
elation of a tiend !" ? Again he bent his head,
and us the siicctral shadows of his own
thouo'htg dosed around him, he beeanie
startled from his rev»;rie of skepticism, to re-
tire langaldly to bed ; and the clock struck
more than on", tedious hour before ho could
again visit the smiling friends and beautiful
laud of his dreams.

CHAPTER VIII.

DtmiNd the forenoon of the day after the
disturbance in the Baptist church, three priests
W(!r(> leisurely pacing up and down the in-
closed yard connected with ihc Koiiuin Catholic
chapel at Moorlields. They were walking
abreast, and only the middle di^rgymnn wf)re
bis sontane. Ho was ri-uulug a morning
paper for their edification, and occasionally
they would laugh heartily at Bomo ludicrous

circumstance in the narrntion. Certain ungod-
ly correspondents and news-mongt>rs had sup-
l)lied exciting accounts of the fracas at the
iiible meeting, and the burlesipie of the cleri-
cal actors thereat was madi; jjarticularly ex-
travagant The ]>ricst who was reading the
paper, Fai' .er Thomas McUlinn, was a\>()ut fifty
years of age, a stout, low-sized nuvn, with dark
iiair. He had a very red face, and the top of
his nose was remarkably tlorid ; and when he
laughed, he displayed a 8etf)f teeth wliich with
ordinary care might be warrant(!d to last him
for another half-century. He was a ruddy,
jovial, good-natured looking person ; and he
had to utter but one word to satisfy you of his
pure Milesian extraction. His ready wit and
humor were genuine, and would haVe at once
obtained for him the standing of a '" rale jolly
Irish gintleman" even though appearing, like
many of his predecessors, as a missionary from
the Emerald Isle to the heretical and de-
luded iSassenach. His two companions were
also natives of the same country, so justly re-
puted for its hereic men, and virtuous women.
" Well, begorra. Father Mick," said he, raising
his fist antl bringing it down on the paper
with a whop, " fast day and all as it is, I'd like
to dlirink the fellow'^ health that upset the
chairman ; it was so nately done as a com-
mencement. Oh ! divil a better."

" Faith, I wouldn't mind to do the same
myself," said Father Mick Daily, the priest on
his right, " even if it should com(! to the ears
of the bishop that the dose was a little extra."

" By my sowl," said Fatlier Tom, " Buster, as
they call him, musn't have felt very comfort-
able with such a fftn-noon in his arms ; 'twas an
atlecting sight. l)idn't Cami)bell cut a pretty
figure with his one glass eye ? Well, bedad,
but it was a beautiful row at any rate. What
a blessing it was to S(>e the pack of haythens
pitching into each other ; and if it wasn't for
the cloth, I wouldn't want blotter fun than to
be there myself 'Tis a pity the ould joker of
a moderator didn't lave the sign of the cross
on some of tliem ; but sure that sign isn't in
his track, and never will be."

" And d'ye mind the Rev. Jonah," said
Father Dennis Lynch, the other priest, " Jonah
didn't lave them have their own way f(-r noth-
ing. There's a dhrop of the blood i'n that fel-
low, if he had only the training. He stood up
b(,'i")re the modt'rator in rale style. That
sani'! Jonah is a whale in himself, and
wouldn't mind taking a hand in, if he had a
good Itacker."

" Och ! isn't Baker a beauty," said Father
Tom; " swaddler and ranter and alias he is,
he is al)le tor them. He gave the Knox m(;n
a fidl baker's dozen on tlie occasion. How the
divil did he escape a walloping at all at all '!
It's a wonder that Bnsterdidn't moderate him
with a p:i.r tecum, betune the eyes."

" But, Father Tom, didn't you know that
CapelV" askt.'d Father Mick.

" To b(! sure \w did," at once replied the Rev.
Dennis Lynch ; "he used lo live near Blackpool,
in Cork."

" Oh I no ; vou're wrong," said Fatlnir Tom,
" Harry Capitl's fatli(>r lived on Patrick street ;
he was a sa(liller;but whin I knew him, he
was in the ])c,lice. He was a daycimt creature
enough to bo among Buch a gan^. Many a

EXETER HALL.

ertain unp;od-
ffurs had sup-
Iriicas at the
e of the cleri-
rticiilarly cx-
i rcadiuf? this
vnH u\»i)Ut fifty
an, with dark
ud the top of
and whon he
Iv wliich witli
id to h\Ht hhu
was n, ruddy,
rson ; and lie
isfy you of his
•eady wit and

I haVe at once;
fa '■ rale jolly
|)pfarin<x, like
issionary from
;ical and de-
paniona were
% so justly re-
tuous women.
Liid he, raising
on the paper
s it is, I'd like
lat upset the
•ne as a com-

do the same
, the priest on
n(! to the ears
a Ihtle extra."
m, " Buster, as
very comfort-
nns ; 'twas an

II cut a pretty
Well, hedad,

If rate. What
of haythens
it wasn't for
fun than to
uld joker of
)f the cro?s
si<rn isn't in

\ (

onnh," said

iest, " Jonah

way f(«r noth-

xl in that fel-

II(! stood up

style. That

iuisrlf, and

if he had a

said Father
all as ho is,,
10 Knox m(;n
on. How the
it all at all 1

odr rate him

know that

ied the Rev.
ir Blackpool,

Father Tom,
trick street ;
lew liira, he
lent creature
ng. Many a

pot of Beamish and Crawford's pf)rter we had
totfotlier bcfor.; I went to MayiDoth."

"But, wasn't he a rale paadircii?" asked
Father Lynch.

" I'aiK'.reen ? Musha ho was, and he
wasn't," repiiiui Father Tom. " Divil u mucli
he cared wluit In; was, at any nitc. He's
dead now, (iod rest his sowl ! 'Twould be
well for the ould sod if there was more like
Lim."

" Well, isn't this Capel, who is mentioned
in the paper, his son ? and if ht> is, iiuw the mis-
chief did he get a.uonj^ the swaildlersV"

"Sure you know," replied Father Tom, " his
ould mother was always amouj? them, and nev-
er aisy whin she wasn't psalm-sin<^hi<4- or street
begi^injj for theni hunofry thieves of preachers.
Her husband, poor Tom Oaptd, l(;ft her have
her own way with the ciiildron, as well as
with every thinj? else. Ihs didn't much care ;
in fact, it was said that he was one of these
free-thinkers tiiat are now so ))lenty, and ho
never asked whether tjh". went to a Cathedral,
or Conventicle, or to Quakers' meetint^ ; she
might go to a Synagogue for the matter of
that, lie usi^d to say, by way of a joke, that if
there was anv ditt'erence they were all alike.
She, of coorse, hoisted the children away with
' her. But, Uod help us ! they're all dead
now ; Harry is the only one left."

'" Well, isn't hv, a swaddling preacht r, doesn't
lie rant ahmg with the rest t — Of coorse he's
promoted to the saddle-bags T

" Well, I believe he is ; but sure his mother
wouldn't let him rest until he promised to go
and do the work of the Lord, rambling about
like a showman. I met him by chance the
Otluir day, and he tould luo that they sent him
out to Hampstead with ould Baker, Someway,
I dim't think he cares for that wandering kind
of a life. He's liouest in his error, anyway;
"Ihere's a good deal of his father in him, and
the Lord knows what he may be yet. But,
Father Dinny," said the priest, lowerin/yr his
voice to seriousness, " he is now like oursL'Tves ;
'lie is just what circumstances have maile him ;
exactly so. Ih; has hiul no control over the
eircumstancos of his birth, of his country, or
of his religion ; he is now what he was brought
up to be, and in Turkey he might have been p
Mussulman, or in India he might have bee'i a
Brahmin or a I'arsi.'e ; and so might we."

" Very good. Father Ttun, very good ; if the
bishop lieanl all that, I wonder what he'd
think of one of his priests? He'il make j'ou
Cry ' incd cttlp'o' duri.ig scdidu, aeculornin."

■' Bather.shin, failii ho might, Dinny; but
many a time, in my own (piiet way, I'vts made
the bishop stagger a little himself, ay, just
while you'd be looking al)out you. His miuo
doesn't cover an incli min*e brain than he got
from his motln'r, may be not so much ; and if
his father had been a Quaker, tiio bishop, in
stead of wearing a mitre, might lignre about
with a broad brimmed hat and a drab coat,
6.1, Dinny'.'"

"Bo me sowl," said Father Lynch, " you'll
have to say th » seven penitenliul psalms
backward for this, and may be a few doziwi
extra jiiUcru and <toi;n in the l)argain. Och !
what's tile use. intalkingV Sun;, we know your
ways. But faith, Tom, wo must be going, and

we'll expect to meet you at five. You know
w(! can't have much of a dinner to-day — divil
take tliese fasts — but any way, if we don't have
any thing stronger we'll have a noggin of
holy water and a rosary together. And, Father
Tom, acushla, as I b'lieve you've got some
df'alings with the Ould Boy, after all is over,
and if you're able to stand, I'll exorcise you."
" Faith you may, Dinny ; but if I was to re-
! turn the compliment, after the job was done,
I might only hear the cackle of a goose in-
stead of a yell from your friend with the
j hoof and horns." And here, with mock piety,
Father Tom made the sign of ilie cross on his
forehead with the thumb of his right hand.
I A general laugh then took place ; the two
! priests went their way, and Father Tom Avas
■ left alone. For a few minutes he continued
j walking rather briskly around the consecrated
; building ; he then paced more leisurely, and
seemed in deep thought, as if bearing," some
] mental burden which caused him anxiety ;
and lie often paused, looking down intently at
the hallowed ground upon which he stood.
! The Irish Catholic population of the city of
Lond<m is very large, and wherever the Irish
j i)eople go, the priest is sure to follow. Betweea
■Aio Irish Catholic and his priest, there has ever
existed, not merely warm friendship, but
j strong affection ; the presence of a priest la
I !vn Irish neighborhood is almost indispens-
abte, <\nd, should he, as is asserted, venture on
the occasional use of the blackthorn by way
of argument, or as an incentive for the per-
formanco of duty, mutiy consider it his privi-
lege and submit ; while with others loss under
control, it is a matter which can be soon for-
gotten. As a general rule, it is only regarded
as a friendly mode of persuasion rather than
an act of clerical tyranny.

Now, throughout the city of London there
was not a pf'iest, ho matter what his degree,
could rival Father Tom McGlinn in the atfec-
tions of t ho. 'Irish Catholics; he was beloved
oven by children, who, it must bo confessed,
have a kini^ of instinctive dread of any person
w(niring a.'soutane ; but his heart overfiowod
with gooc|(nature, and children forgot that lie
was a priest when they saw him smile. Then
ho boasted of " ould Ireland," and of his
countrymen, and of Cork, his native city ; and
at certain times when he grew into a peculiar-
ly soft mood, he would talk and sing about
the " Bells of Shandon," and of the river Loo,
and of Sunday sAVell, until the remem-
brance of these fond tilings and places filled
his good-natured eyes with big tears ; and,
priest as he was, he felt just as kindly disposed',
to his countrymen of all creeds as if they
were members of his own church. Indeed,,
after all, he seldom judged of a man by his.
nation ; nationality was an idea out of which
he tried to grow : but on occasions when hei
used to recount the wrong.n inflicted by Britaia^
ui>on his chuivli and country, then he asserted.
his nationality, am', became almost vindic-
tive.

For many years Father Tom officiated iui
Cork, under the friendly eye of Doctor Mur-
phy, its Catholic bishop ; but after the death,
of that prelate, iie took a notion to remove to
Loudon; he was successful in obtaining a>.

EXETER HALL.

H
I lift

good parish, and amonj? the priests as well as
ainon<; the people of that city lie became a
great favorite. If, however, he had many of
the virtues of his countrymen, he had also a
few of their failings. Although he had been
intimate for a long period with the late Father
Mathew, and had expressed an approval of
his temperance principles, yet, with regard to
self-indulgence in one particular, lie never had
strength of mind sufficient to turn up his nose
at a tuml)ler of hot whisky-punch, tliat is
to say, after a certain hour toward evening.
His ailherence to. the temperance pledge, if ho
ever took it, only lasted during the excite-
ment of the time, and like a majority of liis
countrymen he relapsed into a usage almost
canonical among the clergy.

He was, however, a little singular in this
respect, he seemed to have his appetite under
perfect control ; for no human being could in-
duce him to touch a drop of strong lic^uor un-
til after the clock had struck tliree in the
afternoon ; he might then take an odd tumbler
immediately before dinner, just to regulate
his appetite, but when that meal was over,
particularly if he had a few genial friends
Avith him, he would resolutely confine his legs
mider the mahogany and drink and debate,"
and debate and drink, until every opponent
was silenced, or until every man was reduced
to a state of blissful oblivion. On such oc-
casions. Father Tom became fiercely poleijii-
cal, and was rewarded by the sobriquet of
"Controversial Tom."

About the time that Father Tom had im-
bibed a dozen tumblers, his eyes would attain
an unnatural brightness, and he used to
say that he was then getting " into good
tune ;" after that, no matter how much more
he swallowiid, it seemed to have no othei ef-
fect than that of increasing his thirst, and ho
could then be scarcely civil to any man in liis
company whom he thought could not stand
the thirtietli tumbler.

To si)end a night, then, with Father Tom
was by many regarded as a privilege. Afttsr
his reverence got in good tune, his pecu-
liarity was then to become ccmtroversial ; and
from him there was no escape. He would
badger away until Ik; found an opponent — no
matter whether i)riest, parson, or pope — and
he would then argue from the fathers, and
from an overwhelming array of texts and
traditions, just as fierci;ly as if the very fate
of his church depended ui)on the issue'; and
many of his brother priests, knowing his weak-
ness, would not let the opportunity pass, for
one or another was always ready to make an
attack and assume the ixisition of an oppo-
nent in ord<;r to draw him out and h(^ar his
defense. At such times, his whole thtMiie
would 1)0 his church and its suprmuacy, with
an occasional dash at the apostasy of IJritain ;
and then, if lie even knew that it was the
.pope in state who disputed with him, he
would still argue away, (piito inditlerent to
his holiness or to the splendor of his triple
' crown.

No two persons could bo mon^ unlike than
Father Tom in the forenoon and the same
Father Tom in the evening. He was humor-
ous and good naturod enough at all times ;

! hut in the morning, when reason har! full con-
I trol, he would be more priest-like, more seri-
I ous, and more thoughtful ; in the evening,
when he was less troubled with doubts and
speculations, he was full of wit, and at the
right stage, when fully primed, he would
mount the controversial hobby, and ride away
as if for dear life.

There was some secret infiuence, however,
to work this change. Father Tom in morn-
ing conversation often expressed strange
opinions regarding many of the rites and
doctrines of his church, and even before
priests he would say some very startling
things ; but they said they knew him, wasn't
he " controversial Tom " V the very divil for
argument, and what was the use in minding
any thing he .said ? He was, they asserted,
sound to the backbone, a stout d(!fender of
the faith. They had often heard his exposi-
tions after the fifteenth tumbler. That was
the time to see what was in him. In vino
Veritas.

Yet Fatli(;r Tom was not understood ; for
years he had been troubled with grave doubts
concerning many points of his religious be-
lief ; and while he had to appear before his co-
livborers as faithful and submissive to the
dicta of his < h --^h, and to manifest the con-
ventional coucompt and hostility toward hereti-
cal teaching, yet he dreaded to subject tire
mysteries and doctrines of his religion to tho
ordeal of reason ; it was an insatiable inter-
rogator 1 He was often very much perplexed,
and dreaded uncertainty. He lovecl the great
old ecclesiastical structures of which Peter
was the head. The ceremonies of tho Romish
faith were grand and attractive, and it cost
him a severe struggle to entertain ideas which
were not strictly orthodox. The very exist-
ence of doulit made him irritable at times, as
if some rapacious intruder had stealthily en-
tered his dwelling and would not depart. He
tried to persuade liimself into full belief; and
thus it often was that in combating tlie views
of an imaginary oppoi; iit, he was in reality
trying to defeat him •H', and get rid of his
own doubts by force ^ ' a'-ument with an-
other.

After his clerical friends i' ut away, Father
Tom still coutinuiMl imcing up and down;
even tin; noise and stre^'t sounds of the great
city did not seem to distract him for a mo-
ment. n.e had celebrated mass that morning,
and was in a short time to enter the confes-
sional. This was a duty ho disliked very
much, but he dare not murmur. He was still
sui)erstitioiisly circunisiicct in the perform-
ance of his various obligations as a priest, in
tho hope that his faithfulness in holy orders
might yet dis[)el his, doubts, and iMiablo him
more clearly to understand and uppn^ciate the
doctrines, mysteries, and imposing cc^nunonies
of tho " Motht^r Church." Ib^ was, in his un-
certainty, still anxious to cling to the anci mt
faith, and to uphold its supremacy <n'en whiUi
he tram|)l<;d upon his reiison ; but he dreaded
to investigate tlit! authority for confession, and
indulgeiKM^s, and invocation, and, above all,
the authority for transuhstantiation ; this was
too •-.•Mxt a strain on his faith. Ho was ready
to adtuiro tho shapely exterior of tho sopul-

oi
o

EXETER HALL.

liar? lull con-
e, more siiri-
tho evening-,
(loubis and
and at the
I, ho would
kd ride away

CO, however,
ni in morn-
icd strange
3 rites and
n'cn before
y startling
him, wasn't
sry divil for
in minding
ey asserted,
defender of
[ his exposi-
. That was
m. Ill vino

erstood ; for
jrave doubts
eligious be-
)erore his co-
isive to the
est the con-
ward hereti-
subject tke
igion to the
tiablo inter-
. perplexed,
eel the great
vhich Peter
the Romish
and it cost
ideas which

very exist-
at times, as

althily en-
de]iart. lie

belief; and
g the views
in reality

rid of his
it with an-

f th

vay. Father
iiiul down ;
le great
for a mo-
lt morning,
tlu! confus-
iliked very
le was still
e perform-
a priest, in
loly orders
nablo him
rociiite the
eremonies
in his un-
he anci mt
even whilt>
he tlreaded
esslon, and
al)ove all,
; this was
was rcudy
the sepul-

chre, but recoiled at the idea of entering its '
ploom, to grojje amid relics and rottenness.
Between these things, poor Father Tom often
had un uneasy mind, while many of the credu-
lous faithlul with wliom he was in constant
intercourse believed him to be the happiest
of men, and felt proud of him as a champion
of the churt.'li.

He was still moodily thinking ; and as he
stepped alona over the inclosed greensward,
he begun to dwell upon what he had said
that morning before he administered the sac-
rament to the few devotees wlio were regular
attendants. He tiiought again of the formal
Avords he had used — wonderful, if true — and
now, as he reywated them to himself, ho stop-
ped suddenly and frowned at tlunr meaning,
and at his own partial incredulity.

" Eccc Af/ii lis Del — Behold the Lamb of
God — moust rous ! This can not be ; no matter
what either impe, or council, or bishop may
say to the contrary. The simple wafer which
I held in my hand this morning was no more
the Lamb of (iod than I am. Good God I to
believe that I can swallow the great Creator
as I would a pill ! What an outrage on my
reason ! Yet how many believe this ; how
many of the learned and profound sulnnit,
where I doubt I Am I right, or am I on the
great higlnvay to ])erdition V Heaven direct

'^mo !" And Father Tom, in his mental agita-
tion, still stood looking intently on the ground,
as if he waited and longed to have the earth
open aiul swallow him up fo.over. He then
commenced to walk rapidly, and after a few
■minutes, he entered the church ; and as he al-
most involuntarily bi'ut before the high altar,
lie muttered to himself, " H'this is truth, then
woe unto mo, for I am undone !"

Father Tom was very punctual that after-
noon : he siH'uied, or tried to be, in good

■"■spirits, ami when he entered the domicile of
Father Diuuy Lynch, he swept in among
them like a warm glow of sunshine. A more
jovial set of priest* never sat at a table. Be-
sides Father Tom, and Father Mick, and
Father Diiiny, there were two or three other
old friends, not in ord<;rs ; and, although it
was fast -day with many of the faithful, the
clergy seldom or never took the trouble to
a])piy'jbr a special license to eat meat; the
privilege they might grant to another they
coidd surely ywrtake of themselves; and there-
fore the nia>t and boiled on Father Dinny's
table appean'd and disai)pear(>d in good time,
after whicli digestion was assisted by a rous-
ing glass of ^^fhdltern, prepared by the Rev.
Mr. Lyncli himself, after an old receipt by one
of the ancient irisli Fathers.

" Well," said Father Tom, after some other
matt(!rs hud been discussed, and who now be-
gan to feel very coiufortubh! and locpiacious,
" 1 wish 1 was on thoould sod once nun-e ; I'm
getting tired of the cockneys. You may talk
as you like about Saxons and Telts, and alxmt
your big city —your modern Sochnn — but give
me the Ishmd of Saints yet, where; our church
can count nearly fifty to one with any other.
Sure, here we are like wheat among tares,
cheek by jowl with lia])tists, ami Swaddlers,
aiul Hantei-s, that are ready to tear each other
tt> pieces for thu lovo of'Uod. The Virgin

save ns! Och! the """ord bo with you, sweet
Cork ! bctune you una me, I'd like to be back
there now. Ullagonc, sure it's nol, in this wil
derness of brick and mortar that you'd have
me spend my days. Wait, Dinny avick, if I
don't show you a clean pair of heels it's no
matter." And Father Tom began, in a kind oi
regretful mood, to hum the " Groves of Blar-
ney," an air which always had for him a most
ins[,:ring effect.

" Tom," said one of the priests, " give us
Father Front's song ; you can do it ; you'll
never forget ' Shandon Bells,' although they're
hung in a Protestant steeple. Here's the way
it goes — "

" Arrah, sure that's 'Sheela na gxdra ' you're
trying to whistle, you ummadhmcn / Micky,
allannah, I can't easily forget them bells ; I
never can ! I remember once, long ago, when
I was singing a litany, the ould bells were
chiming away, and every now and then I
thought they sent back a longing response to
our ancient service ; and when I'd sing, ' Sanc-
ta Maria,' down came the rushing sound in re-
ply, like a saintly voice from paradise — ' Ora
pro nobis.' Ah Micky ! I often liked to hear them
of a fine summer's evening ; their sweet vibra-
tions used to return to me like the hum of my ,
poor mother's soft song, when she was putting
me to sleep long ago. God be merciful to
her! Avacn. licquicscat in jMce !" And Fath-
er Tom, almost in tears, devoutly made the
sign of the cross on his forehead.

" Well," continued Father Tom, wiping his
lips with his hand, and laying down the
empty tumbler, " there's a smack of the rale
bogwater about that, anyhow. Isn't that from
Tom Wise t Faith, his distillery is only one
of the few factories wo have left to remind
these foreigners of what we once were. They
may talk of their fabrics, and of their cattle
shows, and of their great exhibitions; but
they can't bate that, divil a bit. The dirty
Thames is as polluted as British royalty ; they
haven't the clear waters of the Lee to draw
from." Ho said this as he was diligently
mixing his seventh tumbler, and he gave a.
very meaning sigh, as he stirred the spoon in
the smoking contents. " Micky, what are you
doing ? Don't be afeard of that ; there's not
a headache in a whole puncheon of it."

" Come, Father Tom, don't forget the song ;
just one verse, to begin with."

"Arrah, Mick, I can't forget the bells, but
'pon my sowl I forget lUe song ; more shame
on me I Let mo see, it goes this way —

' With (1-jp nffpction, and awcet recolloction,

I ottcn think of those Shandon bells,
Whose song 8o wild would, Intiie days of childhood,

Fllnc; round my cradle their miigic spella.
Oli-thia I, I-»

Och, divil take it, asking Father Front's par-
don, I can't make it out. I'm afeard I'll soon
forg(!t my pafcr nostcr, and every thing else
that's good, if I stay in this benightwl coun-
try. But stop, I'll make a verse for you."
He hummed for a moment or two, and then
began,

"For Cork's own city, so Mr and witty,
I'll slnu; this ditty, thouch fur iiwuy ;
And still renicnilu'r. to life's cliill DciHimbcr,
My uutlvu town thut'd across the say.

EXETER HALL.

My heart is swelling for Sundays-Well, in
That beauteous quarter where you could see

The bells of Shandon, that sound po grand on
The pleasant waf.jra of the river Lee."

"Bravo, bravo I well done! illigant !
sublime 1" and then sundry heavy thumps
made the glasses dance ou the tabh\ " Put
that in print, Father Tom, ajjd I'ailh, your
fortune is made."

This was not a labored impromptu with the
priest. His voice was soft and musical ; he
aunjj slowly and with great fcelinff', and the
words followed each other in an easy order of
versification, adapted to the popular air.

" I'm no poet ; however, I'm glad you're
pleased. But, Dinny avick, if I was a jaynu-
ine poet, I might make some verses that his
holiness the pope might clap iu the Index
Prohibitorius."

" Sure, Father Tom, you wouldn't mount
your Pegasus and canter away from the
church ? You wouldn't write any thing, no
matter how inspired, that you'd be afraid to
let your bishoj) see f

" See ? Ood help the see that he blinks at !
TJiipitm, he can't see a hole through a ladder
fionietimes. I know it, and Micky, ould Wise-
man's an ass ; ho is, by Gor !"

" O Tom, Father Tom, aisy, aisy, aisy !"

" He's an ass I say, and the prince of asses,"
and Father Tom rep(>ated a verso of the song
pen-^ally sung at Bcauvais, France, during
the Romish festival, in praise of the ass, on the
14th of J anuary.

" Eccc magnis anribus I Subjucalis Alius ;
Asinus egregius. Asinorum dominus 1"*

" See hero ; the whole of you are afraid of
that ould thief, but I'm not, divll a bit. lie's
a half-Spaniard. What did they send him
here for 'i to be one of our cardinal points V
sure, he wouldn't let me take a quiet smoke
the other night, he didn't want the smell of
tobacco ; yet he carries a gold snuft-box to
stuff hij own ould beak. I tould him in
dt)uble quick time that I'd lave; the palace and
go to more humble quarters, somewhere else,
and so I did, tlun-o now. — If they had him iu
Ireland, they'd choke him."

It was useless now to make any attempt to
control Father Tom. By this time, he had
swallowed the twelfth tumbler; and if the
Pope himseir were to enter the room, he
would face him with a piiie in his mouth and
armsakimljo.

Father Tom, after a moment's oblivion, now
gave a disdainful side-look around the tabh; ;
he appeared to rise wonderfully in his own es-
timation ; every doubt had almost vanished,
and, champion-like, he felt itching for a brush
with an oi)ponent. Looking from under a
frown at his friends, he began :

" You're i\ lot of interlojx'rs ! What do you
benighttnl heretics know V" And he imagin-
ed for the monu'ut that he was engaged in a
regular set-to with some stiff Protestant, sonus
sanctllied noi/pcv ol' the Establishment.

I'm a ])riest. I'n: none of your wolves in i

,r 3 * See that broad, mjijestlc ear,
' Born h(! is the; poke to Moar ;

All his fellows 111! surpasses,

He's the very lord of atsos I

sheep's clothing. I'm a priest of the rale ould
church founded by Peter. — D'ye want proof*
■ Upon this rock I will build my church, and I
will give to thee the keys.' Yes, the keys, and
divil a in you'll ever get unless ice open the
door. Put that in your pipe, and smoke it.
What do the Scriptures say? 'Many sliall
come in my name.' — Yes, a lot of thieving,
blind guides, with their texts, and their tracts,
rnmmaging up and down the country, beg-
ging, and i)raying, and feasting, and gorman-
dizing. A'-rah, the divil sweep them, but it's
a nice time of day with us whin we've got to
stand aside and make way for your snub-nosed
Busters, and Bakers, and Buntings ! Wasn't
that a nice sample they gave at the Bi'Dic
meeting o.^" their Christianity ? Be gor! the
public papers say that they went at it on the
very platform, before the whole crowd of
psalm-singers in ould Howe's conventicle, and
sure they tumbled one fellow clear over, and
knocked out Campbell's eye ; pity they spoil-
ed his fquint ! Och ! God be with the place
where, if they commenced such a row, we
could aisily get a dozen or so of the boys to
stf p in among them with a few blackthorns
to leather free grace into them. Wouldn't
there be ructions ? Musha, blessed be the ould
sod ; after all the tithes, and extortion, and
oppression of the gambling interlopers of par-
sons, they can't make much headway ther^.
They may think that they, soften some of the
hungry craythers, once in awhile, whin tliey
come Avith a bowl of soup in one hand and
their dirty rag of a Bible in the other. Tlie
bowl is su.-e enough emjitied, and the book,
'printed by His Majesty's special command,'
is just as certain to be left at some huckster's
stand on the Coal Quay, while Paddy has got
more than the value of it in his pocket in the
shape of tuppence' worth of toliacco.

" Then, Lord save us ! at on(( of their next
big missionary meetings, or may bo at their
great Eyf>ter Hall, how they'll turn up their
eyes, while some dandy parson, or thieving
ould ranter delights a moiiing crowd with
lying accounts of the whoh'sale conversion of
dikided Papists. — Divil a bit but 'tis hard to
have patience with such a gang. Well, faith,
ther(;'s a few texts in store for tluiin. ' Ye
serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can
ye escape the damnation of liell'^' 'And
through covetousness sliall they with feigned
words make merchandise of you, whose judg-
nuMit now of a long time lingerelh not, and
their damnation slumbereth not.' ' Let them
alone : they be blind leaders of the blind.
And if tlu! blind lead the blind, l)oth shall fall
into the ditch.' — ' Woe unto you, Scribes and
Pharisees, hyjiocrites ! for ye com]iass sea and
land to make one proselyte ; aiul when he is
made, ye make him twofold more the child
of hell than yourselv<'s.' — Faith, there would
be more truth in that if it had been written
'^7;-fold ;' but sure that's enough for them,
even out of ihelr own book. ^^ e an; tould to
'let them alone,' and that their ' damnation
sliiiiibcreth not.' So you see, th(>re's comfort
in store for them anyhow. D'yt^ hear that,
my friend V" said he, giving a S(>lf-snllicient
wink at Father Mick. " ' Amrs/uilx id d noil
audient.' Thoy have cars to hear, but they

■if

EXETER HALL.

lio rale ould
want proof*
liurdi, and I
Iw. keys, and
ice o\)Qn tlie
d smoko it.
Many shall
of thieving,
their tracts,
ountry, beg-
md jjorman-
leni, but it's
ve've got to
r pnub-nosed
:h I Wasn't
it the Bible
Be goi- ! the
at it on the
3 crowd of
'cnticle, and
ar over, and
.' tliey spoil-
th the place

a row, we

the boys to

blackthorns

Wouldn't

bo the ould
tortion, and
ipersof par-
(hvay thexf,
?oine of the
, whhi they
e lu\nd and
otlier. Tlio
d the book,

command,'
! huckster's
Idy has got
ickct in the

tlicir next

JO at their

'n up tlieir

thieving

o.vd with

nvcrsion of

is hard to

11, faith,

ici!.. ' Ye

liow can

.'' 'And

th feigned

lose judg-

not, and

Ii(!t them

Hi blind.

shall fall

ribes and

ss sea and

rhen lie is

the child

ere would

n written

for them,

i\ tnuld to

nninution

's comfort

hear that,

sulliclcnt

lit d non

but they

til

will not hear. Be gor ! it's a wonder they
don't, for sure they're long enoiigh."

Fatiier Tom h(!ro drew another sigh, and
began to compound another restorative; then
in a minute or so he said. refi(,'ctively, " Yes,
I'm a priest of the Holy Boimin Catliolic and
Apostolic Church, and I think the divil a fear
of mo if I stay where I am ; and now I defy
any of you to say that its not the rale true
ould ^iother Church. What d'ye say to
that ?" said he, looking defiantly at Father
Dinny Lynch, whom he now took for an oi)po-
neut.

" Well," repli((d Father Dinny, assuming a
controversial attitude, " I admit what you
say, I don't deny but that j'oiirs is the rale
mother church, for you know the faithful of
Rome always pay more regard to the mother
than they do to the son"

Tliis answer rath(!r staggered Father Tom ;
but after a short pause, he quietly closed his
left ey<! and kept the other on his man, as
much as to say, " Poor fool, I pity you." Then
quickly changing the point at issue, ho said,
" D'ye mane to deny the rale presence ? d'ye
mane to deny that blessed mystery of our
church that has puzzled the wliole of you for
over a thousand years? You won't say a word
to that ; that's the beli(>f that bothers your rai-
son and philosophy ; that's our prime mys-
lisry. You'll niver got transubstanliation
through your thick skulls, divil a bit, allan-
nah ! What have you got to say against our
confessional? Doesn't the Scriptures say,
' Confess your sins one to another ' ? D'ye
mane to turn up your noses at purgatory ?
Faith, nclck, I'm afeard you're in a fair way
of going a little further down. Pshaw ! What
do you know about indulgences, or penance,
or prayer to the blessed saints? Nothing.
KnhocIiUsh, you'll be glad to have the Hill of
'Howth tumble over and hide ye, some of
these fine days. Where d'ye jjet your author-
ity, let me ask you? You talk of your ' apos-
tolical succession '-^a set of fox-hunting, card-
])laying, tithe-grabbing, vagabond parsons !
Succ(!ssion indeed! Bad liu^k to the success
you'll ever have. Lord lielp us ! If St. Peter
was to take a trip back again, and see sucli a
batch of greedy wolves and hounds claiming
to b(; his successors, wouldn't he roar?
Wouldn't he burse his sides? wouldn't he
split right open ? Faith, he'd laugh at the idea
until he'd shiike himself into his very grave.
Where d"ve get your authority? 'I'ell mo
that."

"Out of the Bible, to bo sure," said Father
Dinny,

" Oh ! of coorse, out of the Bible, the Bible
is your Pan<lora's box. h!.ire, you'll get au-
thority in the Bible for any thing. Every
one of your forty or fifty diiferent sects can
(piote authority out of that for their capers,
until tliiVir cont(;ntion gets as wild as a hiirroo
at Donnyhrook. Out of the Bible the Bajitist
])roves immersion, and another proves sprink-
ling, Tiie Methodist proves \frce f/raec,' and
the Presbyterian 'election and reprnhn^i'm ;'
one to i^ray without ceasing, and another to
wait till tin* Spirit moves. In the Bibb; you
can get authority for love and for hatred; for
peace and for war ; for hope and despair ; for

jlessing and for cursing ; for revenge and for-
giveness ; for faith and for works ; for liberty
and slavery, and for almost every thing else ;
and sure tiie divil himself on a pinch could
find an odd text or two for hi-s own justifica-
tion. Dcm't talk of the Bible and its authori-
ty ; you're distracted yourselves about its rale
maning ; you're all pulling, and dragging,
and hauling each otlier, scarcely any two of
ye thinking alike. Expunge, according to
order, and what would yo have left ? Divil a
bit. Sure Luther, that bastely apostate, began
at the end of your Bible and wanted to sweep
away the book of Ilevelation altogether be-
cause it foretold of his own downfall. Not a
man of ye is certain as to what your Bible is ;
the blessed books Avhich we accejit as canoni-
cal, you timidly reject as apocryphal. Your
own commentators say that certain chapters
are doubtful, or even spurious ; others, that
whole books have been lost ; one, that certain
texts are interpolations, and another, that
there are various wrong translations. You
talk of your four Gospels ! What do ye do
with the other fifty or sixty which for all ye
know have just as good a right to be includ-
ed? Why, it is admitted that about one hun-
dred and fifty thousand different readings of
ancient manuscripts of the New Testament
have been discovered, and yet none of your
present writings are older than the sixth cen-
tury ? Now with these trifling lacts staring
ye in the face, can ye trust your Bible — ^j'our
paper idol ? How do ye know yov re right ?"

" Well, and how do you know ?" said Fath-
er Dinny.

" How do IDG know, d'ye say ? Faith, we
know that according to our feeble reason it is
impossible to regulate these matters, or to
reconcile our Bible contradictions, or to tell
v.hat is what ; but we take the interpretation
of our '•harch without a murmur; we submit
to its authority. We know we're right be-
cause the church is founded on a rock, and cau
not err ; and then we have our blessed tradi-
tions to make us more secure. We had them
before there was a chapter of your New Tes-
tament put in writing. There's no danger of
us; and if you don't retrace your steps, and
stop your wand(^ring, and hurry back to tho
ould faith, begorra, in coorse of time you'll
find yourself in a warm corner where you can
roast a herring across the palm of your hand,
or light your pipe with the top of your finger.
Hurry back, allannah, hurry back 1"

Father Tom continued in this strain for
some time longer ; he had got rid of every
doubt, and was once more fully persuaded
that the Roman Church was the pillar and
ground of truth. Between the spirits in hia
glass and its effects upon his imagination, ho
became at last violent in his declamation, and
as unruly in his theology as St. Dominic him-
self. It was late that night before his proof
texts were duly arrayed and hisdenunciationa
expended, and he would not consent to retire
until all had made due submission.

No person who attended morning mass tho
next day at Moorfield's Chapel would for a
moment imagine that the tlemure priest who
ofiiciatetl, and who bent and bowtnl with such
graceful solemnity before the lighted altar.

EXETER HALL.

was the advocate for thirty tumblers, or the
doubting coulrovorsialist — Father Tom Mc-
Gliun.

CHAPTER IX.

Hampstead Cottage never looked more
home-like and cheerful than it did on the
bright April afternoon that Mr. Capel and
^Irs. Baker drove up to the garden-gate of
that j)leasant dwelling. Although he had
consented to make this hoi'sc his temporary
abode, yet he never had the curiosity to in-
quire whether it was a modern red brick
building, bolt up to the street side, or a mas-
sive stone structure in the same position, with
thick walls, very little windows, and great
dreary looking gables, having acute angles of
the olden time ; he never gave it a thought.
He was but a wayfaring man, content to
sojourn a few months in one place, and may
be a year or more in another ; and when he
had formed f^n agreeable intimacy with a few
persons, \ui was sent away to some distant
circuit, never perhaps to meet theni again. It
was from this that a feeling of indilference
had been engendered as to where he should
reside ; but when he saw the neat cottage
surrounded by fine trees, and the trim garden,
and the young buds, and the (;Jear sun-lit sky,
and heard the songs of a thousand l)irds, many
of which seemed to flit with delight through
the fragrant air, the sceLe was most agreeable,
and one that his fancy would have readily
created as o picture of homt*.

But if he never thouglit of the house, he had
often thought of its proprietor. Mrs. Mannors
had already evinced her kind disposition
towards him, was in fact like a mother. She
was also " "'ister in the cluirch, and he well
knew that ho had her sympalhic^s and her
prayers ; her husband, however, the master of
ileath Cottage, was an entire stranger to him
personally, and not only that, but according
to report, an utter stranger to the truth of
God, and even, it was said, an avowed enemy
to the Christian faith. IIow could he meet
this man, and be content to remain as Ids
guest— as one of his family ? Would he not,
by accepting this offer of hospitality, be often,
perhaps, obliged to submit and listen to un-
pleasant insinuations against religion, or to
the open blasidiemous attacks of an unbeliever?
One wlio is firmly satisfied of the truth of the
Bible is actually shocked at the bare idea of
infidelity, and therefore presumes that a per-
son who cnn persistently reject inspiration
must be willfully ])er verse, and should be avoid
ed as far as possible. He is ])resunied to be a
gloomy, dissatisfied cynic, devoid of tender
sympathies, and of the kindlier feelings of
our nature; a man whose word is but a
snare, and wlioso honor but a lie, whose
passions are under no i)roper control, leaving
him sordid, 1 uirtless, and brutal. Tliere was
no denying tiie fact that the idea which lie had
formed concerning Mr. Mannors was not very
flattering ; he had been represented to him by
Mr. Baker ns a very dangerous ])(!rson, whose
principles and character could not meet the ap-
proval of either Uod or man.

Tlins it is that too often nn un^vtarrantable
prepossession may raise a barrier between us
and an estimable person, whom, if better
known, might exliibit genial and intellectual
qualities of a high order, and with whom
intercourse and intimacy might be a source
of the greatest enjoyment, by engendering a
friendship wliich would ma've life more hapjiy,
and even, after a final separation, leave a ray
of light forever on the memory.

No wonder, then, that Mr. Capel was anxicms
to see the individual under whose roof he was
for a time to find a home, at whose table he
was to sit, and whose mind he was to try and
im])res3 with Gospel truth. Judging, how-
ever, from the surroundings of his habitation,
the young preacher fancied that his ho.-t must
be a lover of rural beauty. Every thing
seemed to indicate the possession < f the most
excjuisite taste and love of order. If such na-
tural attractions gave a bent to his mind, it
could not be in a very wrong direction ; and
it might be, after all, that the infamy which
some were ready to attach to his name was
but the result of an unfair prejudice which
our present social enlightenment has not yet
repudiated. Detraction could surely be no aid
to religion. He would now, however, be soon
able to judge for himself, and he would try to
do so impartially.

Such were Mr. Capel's reflections while he
looked from the vehicle at the gate-side into
the i)leasant garden. Neither lie nor Mrs.
Baker had yet been observed from the house
and, as if by a tacit agreement, tliey sat still
to listen to the warbling of birds from a num-
ber of cages by the hall door ; tluy could sec
the young vines creeping through th*; trellis-
work, and sunshine and shadow commingling
around the ivied windows and meeting on the
flower-stands; and then they hei.rd the mel-
low sound of harmony from a piano and voices'
in the parlor. Mr. Mannors and his daughter
wer(! ])racticing a favorite duet, and as the full
swell or diminuendo reached the ear, Mr. Ca-
pel, who had a cultivated taste for music, al-
m(»st fancied himself at one of the ])early gates
of heaven instead of being near the entrance
to the residence! of a doonu'd unbeliever. He
still listened ; and while this pleasing far ;y
lingered, the door opened, and out rushed
Mary from the house, as bright an angel of
the earth as ever met his lyes. Mrs. Mannors
followed, and then came Mr. Mannors him-
self; while Hannah, from one of tin* dormer
windows, shouted out the arrival of Mrs. Baker
Mrs. Mannors was the first to reach the gate,
and sh(! impulsively reached ui)b()th hands to
Mr. ('ajiel in a hearty shake ; she almost
neglected Mrs. Baker, in her eagerness to
bestow her welcome u]ion the young preacher.
Mr. Mannors waited for no introduction, liut
greeted him in the kindest manner, and Mr.
Capel was actually surprised at the warmth of
his reception. Mary Mannors, now blushing,
hesitated to ajiiiroach, and with l)ecoming dif-
fidence stood at a short distance holding her
brother's hand, and waiting to be made
acquainted with their visitor.

The young j)reaclier's eyes wandered from
Mary Mannors to her brother, then to Mrs.
Mannors, nud then to the courteous gentle-

b
h

n
tl
w

u
Is

EXETER HALL.

vtarrantable
between UB
I, if better
intellcciunl
with whom
je a souico
xonderinjjf a
iKire liaitjiy,
leave a ray

was anxious
roof he was
)se table he
^ to try and
Ifrinjj, how-
1 haljitation,
is ho.-t must
very thinj;
if the most

If such iia-
liis mind, it
'ction ; and
"amy which

name was
idice which
lias not yet
y be no aid
ver, be soon
rould try to

ns while he

ite-side into

e nor Mrs.

1 the house

ley sat Btill

i'om a nuiTi-

y could sec

tlu! trellis-

'mminglinja:

tiu^ on the

d the mel-

) and voices

is daughter

as tlie full

ar, Mr. Ca-

nuisic, al-

early jjatcs

le entrance

ii vir. He

sing far ;y

ut rushed

1 angel of

. Manners

nors liim-

le dormer

Irs. Baker

I ihe gate,

I hands to
le almost
(>rness to

jireacher.
ction, ])ut
, and Mr.
iirmth of
bliiKliing,
iiiihig dif-
hling her
be made

"ved from

II to Mrs.
Is gentle-

man who had so kindly Avelcomed him, and
Avho was now, without waiting for assistam-e,
busily eugagi'd removing the small trunk he
had brought from Mr. Baker's. Mr. f.'apel
was most agreeably 8ur[)rised, and for a few
mniueuts watched Mr. Mann- )rs intently. Is
this, thought he. the person against wliom I
was warn(!d ? Is this the man whose dark
count(!naucc and vulpine aspijrt betrayed the
unholy emotions which goveriuiil his mind?
Is this he whom Mr. Baker luis so long
despised, and against whom he has hurhid so
many denunciatory texts? Surely it can n')t
bo! lie found it imj)ossible to believe that
the gentleman witli mild, cheerful face, who
had just assisted jNIra. Bak(?r to alight, who
was now holding her to the house, and whose
smile seemed so attractive to that fair girl
and her delicate brother, was the Martin Man-
ners of his imagination — the gloomy skeptic,
th(! monster of unbt^lief, the denounced intidel,
who made his pious wife so miserable, and who
wantonly treated divine revelation with so
much contcmi>t. Was this the man wln.m he
had to try to warn, reprove, and reform?
Well, considered Mr. Cai)el, if this is to i.>e
my mission lu^re, I have a harder task beforo
me than I imagined. There is nothing vi-
cious lurking in his heart, tliere is nothing
dark or designing in that generous counte-
mancc wliich throws such a lialo of happiness
all around. If the heart of man is by nature
"deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked," were; it not that it would involve the
palpable contradiction of Holy Writ, I should
Bay that Martin Manners was an exception
to the general rule, and as guileless as a
child.

Had Mr. Capel entertained any doubt as to
the friendliness of his reception at Heath
Cottage, that doubt was now etfectually dis-
pelled by th(! genuine kindness already shown
him, and by the great satisfaction manifested
by all upon his arrival. In fact, had lie been
some poor prodigal who liad long wandered
away from his father's house, and had now
returned, remorseful and repentant, ho could
not have found a truer welcome. Mrs. Man-
ners was fairly in (Ecstasies, she almost wept
with joy ; and never, since the death of his
mother, had .Mr. Capel met with any person
who appeared to take such an interest in his j
welfare.

His kind hostess was indeed joyfully ex-
cited ; accompanied by .Mrs. Baker, she led
him around the place. He was shown the
garden, and Ihc: l)irds, and tlie curiosities in
the hail ; he wastake-i to different rooms, and
then she led liim to the comfortable a])art-
ment placed at his disposal, whi're, to his sur-
prise!, he found a number of theological works
sidt! by side, for his edification. There stood
Baxter, Doddridgt^, Pascal, Paley, Wesley,
and many others, besides memoirs and coni-
mentarit^s sullicient to atl'ord liim ample range
for study ; aivl lie was still more surprised to
learn that these works had been carefully
read by Mr. Manners himself. Upon opening
several f>f them, \w discovered numerous mar-
pinul noti's in liis writing, illustrative of
close re.ading, and of the great interest taken
in the contents by tlie reasoning skeptic.

[ After having tried to interest him with other
! matters, Mrs. Mannors did not forget to re-
mind him of thtf task she wished him to un-
dertake respecting her husband. She said
she had no doubt whatever of liis success, for
her prayers in his behalf liad been constant ;
and even her dn^ams led her to believe that
(iod was waiting to be gracious, and would
not 1)0 forgetful of his promise.

Were it a,sserted that Mr. Mannors was in a
hapjiier mood than usual that evening, it
might not be strictly correct. He was
peculiarly blessed with a very agreeable dis-
position ; scarcely any tiling seemed to affect
his cquauiiiiity. Persons who had known
him intimately for year.^ seldom discovered
any ditierence in his manner. He was always
happy, always indifferent to the bauble hon-
ors v^hich so much engrossed the pious as
well as the profane ; and those who felt
gloomy or depressed before they had spoken
to him of their troubles generally went away
more hopeful. Whetlier Mr. Mannors had
discovered Svnnething in the unassuming
modest demeanor of Mr. Capel, or whether it
was the superior glow of intelligence in tho
face of the young man that excited an unusu-
al interest, it could not bo denied but that the
master of Heath Cottage was particularly
happy that evening. He had found a new
friend ; and without waiting to ascertain what
his peculiar views might be on this or that
subject, he felt intuitively that the young
preacher was a person of superior mind, and
who, from the tenor of his remarks, was pos-
sessed of a liberality not permitted by strict
theological training ; he, no doubt, anticipated
much pleasure in his society, especially as ho
was now for a time to be an inmate of Heath
Cottage, and, as it were, a member of the
family ; but ho had not tho least idea that
Mr. Capel's visit was bo contrived by Mrs.
Mannors as to make it a lapecial mission for
the benefit of himself, her erring husband.

For a young man, Mr. Capel was gifted
with great power of discrimination ; not
judging Mr. Mannors, tlierefore, by his favor-
able appearance, but from the acute observa-
tions made by him on many subjects, he was
astonished at his great intelligence, and at
the vast powers of his mind. Though but a
very short time in his society, he was inclined
to think that he had never met his equal. No
matter what any per,sou might assert con-
cerning the peculiar religious views of such a
man, a mind like his was too fearless and
comprehensive to reject any proposition with-
out its due share of consideration. Ihf already
felt that with Mr. Mannors there would I'o no
necessity of going round and round in order
to ask a fair question and demand a fair
answer ; he found in him one who was quite
willing that you should know his opinion on
any proper 8ul)ject, and ever ready to give
tho reasons which led him to a conclusion ;
that he was a person as willing to learn as to
teach, and one before whom you might lay
your opinions, in full confidence that he would
deal justly, and give a true verdict according
to the evidcnice.

The mission, therefore, which Mr. Capel had
timidly undertaken was no longer dreaded ;

EXETER HALL.

it was now to be a source of pleasure instead
of a reluctant effort ; and the rei)ugnance
which he niiglit have once felt in compljinjy
with the mutual desire of Mrs. Mannors and
Mrs. Baker continued no longer.

Tlie two persons wlio but a few hours be-
fore were utter stranj^ers to eacli otluir Avere
now Been arm in arm walking around the
garden, and engaged in agreeable conversa-
tion. It was evident that an accpiaintance
had been already formed which would, in all
])robability, continue for a long time. It was
pleasant to see them thus togetlier as they
wand(!red through the winding walks, or
standing in friendly debate in the shadow of
some huge evergreen. Both were lovers of
nature, and occasionally paused to see the
evening sunlight rush doAvn in bright streams
through the moss-covered branches of venera-
ble trees, and to hear the soft whispering' of
young leaves. It was cheerful to see tliis,
and to hear the hearty, joyous laugh of Mr.
Mannors as ho relatotl some anecdote which
almost convulsed his friend with laughter,
bringing tears to his eyes.

Mrs. Mannors was very mucli interested.
She watched the progressive intercourse
which was now gradually begetting that con-
fidence most desirable between the youn;."
preacher and her husband. She hurriedly
left Mrs. Baker, in order to have a talk with
Hannah upon the subject. After a lime, sh'j
went up to her room, and looked down into
the garden, to observe tlie two persons in
whom, for the moment, she felt most inte-
rest. She was very much gratified ; her
fondest dreams would be surely realized.
There they were, husband and preacher, the un-
believer and the expounder of truth, in cheei'-
ful conversation on subjects of mutual interest ;
there they stood, like two old friends that
had met once again, or more properly, like the
meeting of a fond father and dutiful son, who
had been long parted. What but good could
she expect from such a beginning? How dif-
ferent was tlie manner and bearing of the
young preacher compared with that of his
superintendent. Whenever Mr. Baker ven-
tured to call on her, and that was as seldom
as possible, though treated with the great-
est courtesy by her husband, his words to him
were few and commonplace ; and during a short
stay, he was reserved and moody while in
his presence. No wonder that she telt pleased ;
and now, as she stood at the dormer window,
with th(>, • light of the pure, bright evening
sky aroimd lier, burnishing the gilt picture-
frame, and flashing on the mirrors of her room,
and thus mingling with the radiant smile
upon her face, sIk; looked like a hajipy wife,
and the mistress of a happy household.

Everyone in Ileatli Cottage that afternoon
was pleased at the arrival of Mr. Capel. Ro-
bert, the trusty man of all work, was ([uito
satisfied. He fully expected to see some dark-
visaged, morose person drive up, and cast a
shadow about the place, dark as a thunder-
cloud. " But, Lor, bless you !" said he, as he
was rubbing down Mr. Capel's horse, which
was, for the time, to be an additional charge,
" Lor bless you. Master William, no one would
take him to be one of these Methodces. Least-

ways, I wouldn't. Why, he bean't no moro
like one than I am ; that is to say, if he liadn't
that ere white choker on him. I hoj)e as
mistress wont be disapiKiiuted. Ho don't
look like a moi)ingchap. that's always a pray-
ing and looking miserable. You'd think that
them ere coves what brings us the tracts on
Sunday morning, were under sentence of
death, and had nothing to do but go straight
to old Bailey, and get tipped oflT. He's not like
them ; he'd do better for one of these big par-
son chaps, only he's a great bit too civil."

" I like him verj' much, indeed I do," said
William ; " and so does ma and pa ; and Mary
says he has got suiCi a nice face and curly
hair. Oh ! yes, we all like him — Hannah and
all, and Mary, too."

" Does she? Well, that's a go!" said Ro-
bert, giving a curious wink at the wall, and
stroking his whiskers during a little pause.
" Oh ! yes, may be Miss Mary will like him a
bit, as well as yourself; quite natrl like."

" She does," replied William, in all simplici-
ty ; " she says that she's very glad he came,
and we expect to have some pleasant walks
together. You know, Robert, the summer
time is coming, and we shall have plenty of
nice evenings and mornings, and, you know,
if I am poorly, she will have some one to go
out Avith her ; that is, if pa is away."

" Yes, so I'm thinking," said Robert ; " but
may be mistress may keep him a praying all
the day, leastways, when he's here. You know
those Methodees have to be a praying or
preaching more than half the time, and the
other half they're begging. But I think he
won't do much that way. Your pa will keep
him busy. Yes. I think he'll have some sport
with him ;" and Robert, who was not strictly
orthodox, kept brushing and rubbing away at
the preacher's horse, which found himself in
good quarters.

Hannah and Jfrs. Baker had been in con-
versation together for some time before Mrs.
Mannors again joined them, and when the
latter made her appearance, she looked de-
lighted, and began to tell how her husband
and the young preacher had become such
friends, and how she thought that, instead of
having to travel away alone any more to hear
the " Word," they might before long witness
a great change. It would be something won-
derful to see Mr. Mannors a regular atten-
dant, and may be a member of a class, or even
a class-leader. Would it not be a great
thing to see him start away early every Sun-
day morning to distribute tracts among the
ungodly, instead of remaining at home as ho
now did, reading newspajiers, and magazines,
and dreadful books against religion, or talk-
ing about politics, or reform, to people of his
own sort, who called to see him ? No, it w(uild
not be too much to expect to see him occupy
a place on the missionary jilatform, either in
their own church, or, on greater occasions, at
Exeter Hall. " I feel certain," said Mrs.
Mannors, " from what I witnessed the other
morning, that Mr. (-aped will be able to in-
fluence all within this house ; and may Cilod
grant it."

" Well, ma'am," said Hannah, " I never saw
a person I could be more pleased with tlian

EXETER HALL,

11 't no moro
if ho liadn't
I h()j)o as
Ho don't
ays a pray-
1 think that
10 tracts on
icntcnco of
fro straight
Ic's not like
('SO l)ig par-

civil."

I do," paid
; and Mary
u and curly
launah and

)!"said Ro-
le wall, and
ittlo ]iau8c.

1 like him a
rl like."
all simplici-
d ho came,
[isant walks
lio summer
•0 plenty of
, you know,
le one to go
xy."

)bert ; " but
praying all
. You know
praying or
me, and the

I think he
m will keep
) some sport

not strictly
injr away at

himself in

leon in con-
Iht'foro Mrs.
when the
looked de-
\or husband
icomo such
, instead of
.ore to hear
ng witness
thing won-
uhir atten-
|as9, or even
G a great
every Sun-
mong the
lomo as ho
lagazines,
|on, or talk-
iplo of his
o, it would
im occupy
either in
;casi()ns, at
said Mrs.
tho other
ble to in-
may CJod

I never saw
with than

our young preacher ; it is, you know, only a
short time since 1 lirst laid eyes on hiiu ; lio
is the one we need, lie is the evangelist that
is to l(!a(l poor Cliristian to tlie city gates. I
believe he will yet work a miracle in this
house. 1 feel like poor Hojieful in tlie' Pil-
grim's Progress,' when (Hiristian was ready to
sink in deei) waters. 1 can now say, ' He of
goo<I cluier, sister, I feel the bottom, and it is
good.' hvX ?ilr. C'apel have his own way
awhile, and all will Le right."

"(Joodness knows, I'm sure I hope you have
got to the bottom of your trouble, any way,"
responded Mrs. Baker. " What a blessed
thing it is to be able' to trust in the Lord ;
when all fails, one can rely on him. Have
faith, and every thing else will follow. Oh !
what answers I have had to tho prayer of
faith. I rem(;mber once, when I lived with my
brother, that it rained for nearly three weeks
in harvest time, and his sheafs of wheat were
almost rotting in the field. I went to my
room and pnitciuled to be sick, and fasted a
•whole afternoon, and oh ! how I prayed to the
Lord for dry weather. Well, my dear, I slept
that night in full faith, and in tho morning
when I awoke, bless the Ijord ! there was the
sun shining right in on the bed-clothes. There
was the answer to my prayer. When I got
up, I was all praise ; I read the one hundred
and third Psalm, and, bless tho Lord! ate a
most he-arty breakfast. It was afterward dry
for a full week."

"Well then again, dear, but you know I
wouldn't tell this to any one else,*! was a kind
of -dependent on my brother, and I was anx-
ious to get settled in life. I wanted to 'j;et
married, and day and night, and night and
day, I jjrayed to the Lord without ceasing.
Bless you, how I did pvay ! I prayed for a
good husband. Well, i went at onc(i and
joined the church, attendi d class, distributed
tracts, attended t'-inday-school, made good
collections, and went to every tea-meeting in
the circuit ; and as soon as 1 laid my eyes on
James, and found that ho wanted a good wife,
I worked and prayed harder a id harder, and,
again, bless the Lord ! he answered my
prayer, and we were married. Now I give
you these as undoubted proof's of what prayer
and faith cah do;" and then, giving Hannah
a sly wink and a little ])uiicli on the ribs, she
leant over and siud to her in a half whisper,
"Go thou and do likewise.'' "Yes, my
dear," <;ontinued Mrs. Baker, '■ I hope your
trouble is nearly over. The Lord can work
wonders through the lips of his chosen ser-
vants ; but we must not forget prayer.
•Prayer moves the hand that moves "tlu;
world.' " And this pious hund-maid concluded
by re])t3atiiig an appropriate verse from one of
Wesley's liynins.

While these friends were trying to assure
each other, Mr. Cajx'l (nitered tlu! parlor to
bear a duet. Miss Manners hud just taken
ber seat at the piano, and, at that moment, one
of the latest sunbeams of that beautiful even-
ing shot in slantwise through the shining
window, and resttnl ou her golden brown hair
and on its waving curls like a nimbus arennd
ihe head of an angel. Marv never looked

more radiant. There she sat. the folds of her
white dress falling around her in graceful
lines, and developing a form perfect, at least
ill the eyes of the young i)reacher, who now
stood nervously by her side prepared to turn
over the pages of music.

During the performance of the piece, Mr.
C'apel would have liked to mingle his voice
with the sweet strains which now met
his ear and charmed him away once moro
to his old home and to other endearing
scenes, but, he must rem<nnber, was ho
not a preacher? were not all such recrea-
ticms allurements which might draw liini
aside from the path of duty, as they had
drawn others ? No ; these things must bo
avoided, must be even despised for the Cross.
Alas ! was it not a heavy cross to carry, to be
obliged to reject and condemn what ho could
not help feeling was intellectual and human-
izing? Was it not a heavy cross for one of
excellent taste, to be content with the many
dry, dreary, droning, and naked intonations
embodied in church music, and to seldom rise
above " ('ambridge," " Devises," tho " Old
Hundredth," or above solemn or mournful an-
thems, sometimes sung, but seldom well per-
formed ? But, on the other hand, if he ever
willingly gave way to the seductive power of
secular music, it might be only the first step
downward in a course of spiritual ruin.

For the time, there was a rebellion between
nature and grace. Could it be sinful to in-
dulge in harmony that was so elevating, so
pure ? Were not the angels in heaven thus
engaged, and was it not one of the enjoymenta
of the hlest iu their home of eternal rest?
Would t be wrong for him to mingle his
voice with the soft sweet mubie made liy that
innocent girl ? It could not be ; and as he
stood, listless as a statue, he never felt a re-
straint more galling than that which now
prevented him from joining in suchadeliglit-
iul exercise.

Song after song was sung by Mr. Manners
and his daughter, and the poetry and musical
composition were most suitaWt for the time
and place. The sunlight had faded away, but
so gradually tliat the mellow moonbosv.u was
now its mild substitute. And the oblong patch
of silvery light that was then seoii on the car-
pet beneath the window was an agreeable
evidence of the quiet transition.

" Well," said Mr. Manners, during a pause
after the piece was concluded, " I do not know
how it may be with others, but music has the
lia])piest effect on me ; to be a day without it
would be a deprivation I should feel very
much. Morning and evening, for years, I
have had music as regularly as other peojilo
have had prayer. Indeed, what they say
prayer is to the devotee, music is to me ; it is
my religion, it is my prayer ; for the heart
may want words that music alone can supply ;
and wl^en I worship nature, I worship her in
music. Then, under its inspiration, I have
often soared away in fancy. I often wish that
I could leave the world and its discord forever,
provided I could find some poet's happier
sph(!re, and if I only had those I love to ac-
company me. Isn't that the way, Pop ?" and

,lni

EXETER HALL.

n ^

he laid his hand upon the head of his fair | dead, an- most of whom you had known
daiifrhtcr. and then looked into her blue eyes | wlu-n you were a child. \ou know that such
■ " ' dream-stories can only leave a nieinncholy

impression ; even older persons have been
sadlv controlled by similar imajrinations.

as if to read her thoufjlits.

" IndiH'd, pa. I have no doubt as to your
mode of worshii), and I thiidt you arc some-
times inspired. You dnjam in music as well
as in sleej). I know lor certain that you
travel away occasionally where I could not
follow. The other eveiiinjr, after I had fin-
ished one of Mendelssohn's ' Sonjjs without
Words,' you must have started oft' somewhere,
for when tlu; modulations died away, there
was a hush, and you 8tiX)d mute and absent
for nearly a minute ; waiting, I suppose, to
return with an echo from — "

" From the Summerland," said her brother
quietly, ^^'il]iam appeared very delicate, and
had hitherto sat jrazing in a kind of musical
reverj' at his sister's beautiful face. " How I
should like. Pop, if I was dying, to be allowed
to go away by the light of such moonbeams,
and that you and pa would sing that nice
lullaby for nu? before I left for the si)irit-land.
I like to hear that song when I am falling
asleep. If I have to go, won't you sing it f(jr
me? Yes, Pop, you must sing witli jm, and
I will hear your voices in the Summerland,
won't youV"

" What is my darling saying ?" said Mrs.
Mannors, rushing over to him and clasping
him in her arms. " What is my darling say-
ing about the spirits, or about the Summer-
land? I'ou shall not, you shall not go, dear ;
you must stay Avitli me. Why, my dear child,
do you speak that way?" said the already
terrified mother ; " who said that you should
ever leave me ? We will never part, my dear,
never, never, never !"

Ho still sat and looked up at her with a
faint smile ;the moonlight was upon his face,
giving it a strange pallor, and then an ex-
pression of seriousness, as if he understood
what he had said, and wished to give a
warning.

These remarks made by William so unex-
pectedly, and at such a time;, had a singular
eft'ect upon every person present, especially
upon Mary who was much overcome ; and it
required all the persuasion which Mr. Man-
nors could use to induce his wife to suppress
her feelings. Her agitation was great ; she
had but just entered the room, and had heard
every word of the boy's strange request. Her
emotions were such only as a mother could
feel.

" l''ou know, my dear," said Mr. Mannors,
" that William is often very much depressed.
This infirmity will wear away as he grows
older ; he requires more exercise in the open
air. A boy's mind is easily affected. Hannah
has been telling him about the spiritualists,
and about circles and manifestations ; and
about Bunyau's heroes. Christian, Evangelist,
and Faithful ; and about the Sunmierland
or Happy-land. And you remember you
told him only yesterday about the beautiful
island you had seen in your dream, and how
you saw him there, walking in a garden where
there were such beautiful flowers, and then
resting under the shade of such fine trees by
the side of clear, sparkling streams, among
happy children who had been many years

Indeed, I am rather surprised," said he, some-
what gayly, "that we are not all in the same
dreamy mood. Here we have been for the
last lumr with music and moonlight, and you
ought to know sonu'thing of their influence
by this time." He addressed the last remark
t<'i Mr. C'ajjel, and then sung in an undertone
the first lines of the old soug,

" Meet mp hy moonlieht alone.
And it's then I will tell jou a tale.'

This happy tun\ had its desired effect, and
nc arly brought back the cheerlnlness which
had been interrupted. In a few nunutes, every
sliadow had disai)peared ; and when tlu- lamps
were lighted and the heavy curtains let fall
over the windows, the moonlight disappeartni
from the room also. But, ah ! there ndght be
shadows lurking that the brightest light
coufd not dispel ; there might be gloom that
the noonday sun could never chase away.
What a pity ! Already a shadow was stretch-
ing out that was destined to rest upon Mary's
fair brow, and already the first faint trace of
care had left a little furrow nestling close to
the golden ringlets Avhich himg from her
classic head in such rich profusion. It Avas
affecting to witness the efforts made by Mary
to enliven her brother. Like a true, loving
sister as she was, she resorted to various liitle
methods to cheer away his temporary depres-
sion. She sat close by his side and ran her
fingers through his hair, and put her lips to
his ear repeatedly, whisjiering scmiething
that made him smik; ; and then she led him
from the room to talk to Hannah and liobert
in the kitchen. During the remainder of the
evening, she scarcely left hijn : she would not
allow him to brood alone for a moment ; and it
was not longbefore her winning v.nys and lov-
ing smiles restored him to boyish forgetful-
nes.s.

In a short time afterward, when all were
seated in the pleasant room at tin' supper-ta-
ble, and when the bright lamp-lights where
ri'flected in a circle of smiling faces, Mr. Man-
nors, as the genial friend and hospitable host,
appeared to great advantage. He had the fa-
culty of making ])eople feel hai)]>y, and now
he related several anefcdotes which were both
humorous and instructive.

Mr. Capel's first evening in his new home
was one which he said he could not forget ;
his first meal was most api etizing. Even
Mrs. Baker, who was generally rather cfdd
and formal toward Mr. Mannors, now, for
once, relaxed her frigid demeanor. There
was no remark made that could oflTend her
religious sensibilities; there was no unplea-
sant innuendo. Mrs. Mannors might tell of
her dreams or visions, or allude to the dis-
turbance at the Bible meeting, or speak of
ministers, or of ministers' wives, of mis-
sions or Mohammedans, just as she pleased,
without eliciting a word from Mr. Mannors
that might be taken as a slight uj)on organ-
ized piety. The preacher's wife therefore en

til
111
til
ail

o\|

nil
er
tl

EXETER HALL.

liad known
ow that snch
I iiu'lnncholy
s liave been
iiia^nnations.
aid lie, some--
1 in tli« same
been for the
<rht, and you
itir infiuenoe
L^ last remark
an undertone

I tale.'

■d cflToct, and
iiln»'Hs which
unutoH, every
icn the lamps
rtains hit fall
t disapiieartKl
leie uiijirht be
fjhtpst lijrht
e glooin that
cliafie away.
r was ptretch-
upon Mary's
faint trace of
liujf close to
nff from her
sion. It was
lade by Mary
I true, loving
various little
orary depres-
and ran her
ut her lips to
something

she led him

and liobert
linder of the

10 would not
meut ; and it

lys and lov-
iwli forgetful-

\vn all were
HuppcT-ta-
i^hts where
;i's, Mr. Man-
(itable host,
had the fa-
iy, and now
;h were both

s new home
not forpet ;
dnjr. Even
rather cold
•8, now, for
nor. There
offend hor
no unplea-
ght tell of
to the dis-
r speak of
es, of mis-
lie pi caged,
r. Maniiors
ftjKJn or<;an-
ttierefore eu

joyed herself more than she liad for a lonj?
timi!. ISo much wan this the case, and w»
mucli more hiul slic iiicliiK-d toward her host,
that she .srcrotiy wished iier husband had but
an opportunity to see him as he then was,
even to witness but a few of this excelliMit
qualities which, in si'lte of all prejudici^ she
must ackiiowlfdije were possessixl in such an
eminent de^rree by this reputed despiser of
the (jospel.

The cheerful hours ])nss(.>d away, and Mrs.
Baker had to return home. tShe left tlu cot-
taj?e hijjhly pleased witli her visit. The
piano had iriven its last note for the night,
mnd Mrs. Manners aii<l Mary and William
had retired. Mr. Manuors and his guest sat
by the smouldi'riiig fire, talking freely about
many things, as if the various toi)ics could
not be exhausted, ilr. ('ai»el referred to the
Bible meeting, with the view of hearing his
opinion, and tiien to cautiously try and draw
him out on thi; subject of reliyion. Mr. Man-
ners hail read till- account of the disgraceful
Bcenes which had been enacted in Mr. Howe's
(diurch, and he alluded to the singular con-
duct of the majority of ministers and hearers
\frho had openly encouraged what might be
called a religious riot. The shameful pro-
ceedings had been talked of far and near, and
he knew of many pious persons who exulted
in tj>.e defeat of a certain religious body on
that occasion.

"I must acknowledge," said Mr. C'apel,
"that the v/hole proceedings were most dis-
creditable, most shameful, most injurious to
our common Christianity."

" Or rather a conmion phase of Christianity,"
returned Mr. Manners. " I sec you wish to
know my o{)inion on the subjc^ct, and I will
jjive it plainly. I know you will listen with-
qiut offens(>. Eeligious people seem to exist
l^contention ; it seems to be their normal con-
dition ; they claim to monopolize all the vir-
tue, honor, and morality which elevate hu-
manity, and tell US that Avithout the Bible
aaan would be worse than a brute. What,
tiien, has the Bible done for these men whose
professed calling is said to be to promote in
an especial manner peace and good-will?
What has the Bible done to appease the cla-
morous sects aroiuul us who can violate,
m»8t delibtaately, every principle of honor or
justice to obtain an ascendency? How is our
nation plundcfed and our peojile impoverished
to sustain a class of meu who from pulpit
and platform shout out, ' The Bible, the whole
3ible, and nothing but the Bible,' and yet —
astonishing fact — the very rapacity of these
persons, the same now as in all time, has been
more depleting to our country than the sup-
port of another abuse — the payment of a
largo standing army. Look at the pomp, and

fplendor, and state of our national priest-
lood! Is this right? Jiook at the violent
upheaving antl struggle for precedence among
the dissenting churches ! What is the great
actuating motive ? is it the ultimate benefit of
the peo])le? Alas ! you, as well as I, must an-
iwer, No. There is a ceaseless craving for more,
more ; there is no appeasing the insatiable
appetite of our religious teachers. There is
an everlasting mania for the erection of pala-

tial churches, for ministerial endowments, for
the X)rinting and circulation of thousands of
Bibles, and for sending men called ' mission-
' aries ' away to the ends of the earth, while
I we at home are infested with an ignorant,
I vicious multitude, even in the very midst of a
i crowd of priests. There is always something
I to demand the child's toy, the widow's mite,
I or the poor man's jience, at the time that
thousands, yes, millio; s of human beings are
kept languishing in poverty, and vainly strug-
gling for the actual neces.saries of life. There
is always some gulf in which the resources
of the natioii are swallowed up in behalf
of this terrible despotism called ' HELioiO',*
which, while ostentatiously claiming to bo
the handmaid of charity, exhibits its sordid-
ness by its unjust distribution of pence to the
poor and pounds to tlio church, rags for the
pauper and robes for the priest. This has
been the result of its influence ; it has conse-
crated imposition, and almost dethroned hu-
manity.

" On all sides of us we see churches tower-
ing up, the most magnificent and costly
buildings in the land. In every city, town,
village or harah^t in Christendom, the most
prominent object is the sanctuary. A house
must be provided for the Lord, though tlie
poor perish on the highway. All sects, while
preaching humility, seem to delight in a ri-
valry for fine churches; the extravagancy in
this respect is unbounded. There are now,
nearly or about a thou.sand of such edifices
in London alone, erected at a cost of mil-
lions.* These magnificent piles are but sel-
dom used, and, save a few hours every week,
they remain closed to all the world. Accord-
ing to tlie arrogance of clerical opinion, it
would be desecration to devote them to any
thing else than religion. Were the opinion
not so prevalent. Science would not have to
tremble so often in a shed, while Religion
was exalted under a giidtxl canopy. Through-
out the land, you will find a chnrch where
no proper refuge for the poor has baen
provided, or where no public school lias
been yet erected. You will find poor, home-
less wanderers, for whom no adequate prtwi-
sion has been made ; hopeless men, forlorn
women, and shivering children, who would
gladly find a shelter within such walls. Our
poor-house prisons are not homes for the poor,
they are prisons ; and the man who is once
forced to enter their walls feels forever de-
graded. They are a disgrace to our ago.
The splendid religious temples, so numerous
around us, have never yet been devoted to
the beneficent purposes of humanity. The
night shadows of bleak winter may fall heav-
ily around St. Paul's Cathedral, the cold
winds may blow, and drifting snow or tor-
rents of rain may fall on the frozen earth,
but the desolate and wretched who wander
through the streets, and who know not where
to lay their heads, may look longingly in
vain at that great Christian monument. It
will be no asylum for them ; they are our

* St. Paul's Cathedral, London, is over five hundred
feet long, covers two acres of ground, and cost the na-
tion £1,500,00U sterling— about $7,600,000— which was
collected by a tax on coal 1

EXETER HALL.

y :'"•:

111'

''fit

national vajrrnnfs, for wliom no1)Ofly carcH.
Tlicy may rcHt tlunr woaricd IhuliH wlu-ns tliny
can, undiT door steeps and poflit^s ; tlicy may
lean ajjtiinHt dead wallH, or crouch into cor-
nors, or crci-p into filthy drains or wnvors; hut
St. Paul's can not ho iM)llut(!d hy such a rah-
ble. Onr religious civilization will not stand
this ; such nohle structures art! evidences of
national taste — of our honiajife to su]ierstition.
They are consecrated and dedicated, hut must
not he desecrated hy overdone etlbrts of
practical henevolence ; it would do violence
to reliffious feelinjy, and he, 8imj)ly and V)lain-
ly, sacrileji-e. The rich cushitui made for the
knee of wealth must not ho used as a pillow
for the poor man's head."

Mr. ("ajiel felt surprised at the vehemence
of his host ; th(To was a certain amount of
trutli in what he had just lieard, and which
he could not deny. Pious extra vajrance in the
erection and ornamentation of churches was
rcost remarkable. He had liad positive evi-
dence, time after time, that \Josi)el ministers
were not all saints, wen; no better than other
men, hut in many respects far less liberal
and intellifjent ; that the numerous sects
were not charitably disposed toward each
other, or always governed liy just principles;
hut he thoufrht that religion was not to
blame for this ; it was rather the want of it.
He felt embarrassed as to how he should re-
ply, relative to the so-called desecration of
churches. The idea advanced hy Mr. Man
nors was ne ./ to him, and liis better nature
inclined h' i to think that it could not be an
unholy act to give such shelter to tlie poor,
where shelter was so much needed. The tem-
ple in which active charity was displayed
could not be less agreeable to the Lord tlian
thr.t which was res(Tved for a mere ]iompous
exliibition of faith without works. It would
he uiiRcult, how(>ver, to reduce such a theory
to practice ; clerical ofnnion was stubborn on
this point. He would think more on that
subject.

" You imagine it is rather a Avant of reli-
gion," said Mr. Mannors. '• I shall speak to
you concerning this again ; but, I ask, is
there not something wrong in so mucli reli,g-
ious ostentation ? Is not the accumulation
and display of ecclesiastical wealth signifi-
cant ? The history of religion in this island
is a national disgrace ; its race of intolerance
and o]»pn,'.ssion is nearly run : Init it has been
a galling fetter upon the noblest impulses of
our people. Witness the cupidity of the
priest-power of this nation at the present
day. All must succumb to the fraudulent
exaction of church rates, and to the cease-
less importunities of the so-called voluntary
systems, which are almost as (>xtortionate.
There is something wrong in all this. With
the immense sums annually expended for re-
ligion, we have in our British cities as much
crime and destitution as you will find in an
equal number of heathen cities in any part
of the world. We may boast of our civiliza-
tion, but we are still as obdurate, as selfish,
and as inhuman as thostj who have nev»n' yet
opened a Bible. We have enough for all,
yet thousands pre starving. A few monopo-
lize the wealth, a few more the land. Passive

obedience is preadwd " ir churches, and the
poor an^ driven to 'ration and crime.

I We boast of British linv — laws that are based
' np(m the ])rinciple of revenge instead of re-
j form. If u num can not juvy his debts, weim-
I jmson him ; if he commits a certain crime.
! we take his life: we still luivo an eye for
I an eye, and a tooth for a tiK)tli. lleligion
lias n(n'er had any great regard for human
life. In ancient times, by its sanction, men
were robbed of their existence for trifiing of-
fenses ; and until lately, even in this civilized
kingdtmi, death «as the ])enalty for oft'enses
a conviction for which may now bring but a
f(«\v month's imj)ris(mment ; and still, notwith-
standing the etliiils of the humane, a painful
death is the legal remedy for misdemeanors
made crimes, and for crimes nn\d<! capitnl, by
the persistency of Christian legislation."

" I must difier from you," replied Mr. Capel.
"I think Christianity lias mitigated the rigor
of our laws ; it has humanized our legisla
tion, no doubt of it ; and I think that we, as
Christian people, have good reason to boast
of the intluence of religion in this respect."

" I fear you have forgotten. It is well
known that Christianity has claimed to be
the author of reforms which the church at
first opposed ; this is characteristic of its
course. When a few reformers aroused the
ation against the enormities of the slave-
trade, who was it that upheld the system?
Who was it that waved aloft the lash of the
task ma' "^"r, and tried to smother the hu-
mane,' nerciful impulse imder a cloud of
texts V national jn-iests! During the

agitati. -. ..i that question, some years ago,
the late Lord Eldon sarcastically said, in the
House of Lords, 'that he could not bring him-
self to ht'l'cve tlu^ slav(vtrade was irrecon-
cilable with the Christian religiim, as the
})cneh of bishops had uniformly sanctioned
by their votes the various acts of Parliament
authorizing that trade.'* I must remind you
that when pttitions were H(>nt to Parliament
against the death pennlfi/, many of our minis-
ters and preachers denounced tlio movement
from the pul])it, and successfully used their
influence against its aboliti<m. ' Whoso
sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood
bo shed,' is still the favorite text in support
of legalized murder.f If Christianity has
mitigated the rigor of our laws, the same ex-
cellence was claimed for it when Catholic and
Protestant inquisitors endi-avored to enforce
their mild doctrines through the medium of
the wheel, the rack, the thumbscrcuv, and the
boot ; by roasting and disjointing, by jtressing;
tearing, crushing, and defacing, and by muti-
lating and torturing the liuman body in every
imaginable way! And it can not be denied
that these cruelties Avere entirely of Christian
origin. This, my frien<l, is a dreadful history :
and if our laws are becoming more lenii^nt, it
is liecause humanity has triumphed over the
scruples of religion."
Mr. Capel paused for a few moments before

* NoteC.

+ " Rev Chas. B. S pavo his views on marrlape

nnrt divorce, at the Cooper Iiistitnte, New-York, on
Sunday evening. lie thonglit tlie only penalty Tor
adultery was the death of the guilty partits." Vrom
a Philadelphia paper, 1S07.

irlu'S, and tlio
n and crinic.
llmt nrc ))iiHt'<l
hiKtfiid of rc-
1 debts, W(«im-
[•crtnin rrimo,
vo an (iy« f(tr
;h. Hclijrion
•d for human
lanction, men
lor triflinpf of-
I tliisciviHzcd
y for oltbnsos
V brinj; but a
t^till, notwith-
anc, a painful
[uisdenieanors
(l«s rnpitnl, by
islation."
iod Mr. Capel.
att'd the rigor
d our legiula
k that we, as
uRon to boast
is respect."

It ia well
•laiined to be
he church at
eristic of its
3 aroused the
of the slave-
tlio system?
e lash of the
itln^r the hu-
iler a cloud of
During the
le years ago,
y said, in the
ot bring him-
was irrecon-
igion, as the
y sanctioned
f Parliament
kt ri>mind you
|o Parliament
of our minls-
10 movement
y used their
im. ' Whoso
uill his blood
|;t in support
istianity has
the same ex-
Catholic and
(1 to enforce
> medium of
rew, and the
, l)y jtressing;
|and by muti-
ody in every
)t be denied
of Christian
|(lful history :
re lenient, it
led over the

knonts before

rs on marrlapc

New-York, on

|ily penalty lor

iirtics." T!'rom

EXETER HALL.

he replied. lie could not positivc^ly deny ( vine word,
what had Ikh-h asserted, and he hesitated, in | siou."

Truth can not suffer by discus-

the hope that he might be able to find stmio

flea. " I do not," said he, " admit that
operyis Christianity. The intiuisition wasa
disgnue, fur whicii our purer faith should not
bo held acoiuntable."

I make Imt little di.stinction," said Mr.

" I ara much pleased to liear you say so. I
feel that I have si)«il;eu warmly «m this sub-
ject, I am obliged to do so ; and I well know
the penalty which must bo paid for the free
expression of opinion. Our ministers are
ever ready to denounce any iwrson who may

Maniiors. " Tlie leaven of intolerance is in the | venture to question what you call 'Divine
whole I'lmp, eu(di in turn )»ersecuting the j lievelation.' Instead of courting investigar
other. You surely can not forget the enormi- tion, they try to avoid it. They are a |>opu-
ties of the Star Chamber; you can not Ibrget | lar and influential bmly, and it is not always
the liercc vindictive jiersecution that raged for i safe to hurl a stone against a popular idol,
years among the Protijstant sects — Episcopa- It recjuires no small share of moral courage

lian again.st Dissenter, Puritan against Cjuuk
er. I will not recall the enormities, they are
loo i>aint'ul. But I will ask you, plainly,
after all our church-imilding, and preaching,
and ])riiying ; after all that has been extorted
for the maintenance of thousands of priests,
of all demmiinations — what is the result of
our boastful Christianity ? Has it lessened
the brutalities of war I Has it made men

denying, more forgiving, than those of re
motij times, who had never heard the OosimjI
Bound Y What have we as the grand re-
ilult V"

" People who can resort to persecution
have never been imbued with a true Christian
principle," replied Mr. Capel. " I care not

to smite the image* ; but if the duty falls to
my lot, then it shall be i)erformed ; I am
willing to strike the blow alone. I was once
a believer, as you now are ; I can believe no
longer. I know that it requires much pa^
tience and fortitude to contend against a pop-
ular error. I respect the honest oi)inion8 of
men of all creeds ; I interfere not with them ;
but if any are desirous of approaching the

more humane, more generous, more self-,, light, they shall have my sympathies. It is

hard to be maligned by men who profess to
have been regenerated, yet who have not
learned the lesson of charity. For years
I have been misrepn^sented by certain of
your preachers, because I can not bring
myself to a passive belief of all that is re-
corded in the Scriptures. The late meeting

how tiu-y art! called ; tli man Avho persecutes i of your Bible Society ought, I think, to satisfy

for o] unions sake is x\><\ a Christian. I can
not admit that C'hristiauity is answerable for
the enormities of which you speak."

" Then," said Mr. Mannors, " I do not un-
derstand where Christianity is to be found,
if not among those who preach and those
who profess it; if I can not find it among
the tried and true believers who are, and

• Jiave been, as ready to die for the faith as
jthey have been to persecute — where is it to
be found '? Ah my friend 1 do not mistake
your natural sense of justice for the gift of
kith."

, " If wo l(H)k for pure Christianity," an-
swered Mr. Cap(!l, " we must look for it in the
Bible alone. Were men to be entirely guided
by its divine teachings, our world would be
different from what it is. Professors of re-
ligion an^ I ailmit, too often governed by an-
gry passions ; they exliiljit a want of forbear-
ance. The Bible denounces error, but has no
plea for persecution. There is not a text be-
tween its covers that favors such a princii)le."
_•' Then I do not understand the Bible,"
said Mr. Mannors, " I consider its teaching
essentially intolerant ; and when I read such
texts as this, ' If there come any unto you
and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
Into your house, neither bid him God-speed,'
(John 2: 10,) I am justified in believing that
it favors persLCuti(ni. The anathema mara-
nathd is (sver ready. But as it is now getting
late, w«! shall not pursue this subject any fur-
ther at [irest'nt. It is a pleasure to converse
with you, ana I hope you will bear with me

iiheri'at'ter if I venturtf to give you my opinion

r.of tlie Bibk? more i)hiinly."

,,. " I am ready," said Mr. Capel, " to listen to

■ any argiuueut, either for or against the di-

you that some who profess to be ministeis of
Christ are wicked and designing. I know of
but one who was at that meeting who is actu-
allj'^ infamous. I know of one who is courted
and smiled upon, and treated as the principal
pillar of one of the great religious bodies,
whose voice has charmed many in the sanctu-
ary, but whose fierce intolerance has brought
sorrow to his own home ; and there may be
yet one poor broken heart to cry out against
him, ' How long, O Lord ! how long 1 '"

CHAPTER X.

Eahlt next morning, when Mr. Capel
looked froni his window, he was delighted
with the fine panoramic view which he ob-
tained of the distant city and surrounding
scenery. Faint streaks of red light in the
east betokened the coming glory of the ris-
ing sun, and in a short time those early har-
bingers of the day god were spread around
in all directions, illuminating every object,
crowning the distant hills with ruddy light,
and sending golden rays over ancient tree
and castle, and then flashing on a hundred
glittering spires of the proud metropolis.
The great cross of St. Paul's was again visi-
ble in the morning sky ; and that which had
been observed by Mrs. Mannors as a cause of
so much superstitious reverence was now
only more noticeable from its great altitude,
not from any thing peculiar in its appearance.

He mused as the sunlight rested on the
window-sill, and threw a glimmer on the
rustling ivy that was creeping upward with
silent progress. He still looked toward the

-''n

EXETER HALL.

'■:+-l

city, and felt a degree of surprise at the vast
number of towers and steeples wliich were
looming up, as if trying to leave the smoky
gloom, and the darker objects by which they
were surrounded. Iliese numerous struc-
t'ures called to his remembrance the remarks
of his friend Mr. Mannors. What vn' i sums
must have been expended in thei*^ erection !
ai 1^ the question again tame, Wliat was the
result? Could it be that the world was in
reality no better than if they had been so
many heathen tem])le8? Coiild it bo that
these numerous sanctuaries, dedicated to God.
had not made the mass of the populace of
Ijordon any better, but had been erected and
consecvated to ])rovide wealth, ease, and dis-
tinction for a horde of religious stockbrokers
and professional impostersV Yet this was the
0])inion of thousands, who assert that they
are forced toaidolerate an unscrupulous priest-
hood. He was willing to admit that thore
was a portion of truth in the supposition ;
still he thought that such p;i extreme view
could not be justified. There were, no doubt,
many stately churches which had been built as
mucli for the adornment of the city as for
^omples for worship ; but were there not
ma.iy othei places in whicli the pure word of
God was regularly expounded by faithful,
persevering mon, who, in the very midst of
tho pride and pomp of this mighty Babylon
were not ashamed to go out into the high-
way&, and into the streets, lanes and alleys to
call upon the reckless and abandoned ?

But wliy, thought he, with all these
churches crowded into ev(>ry quarter, why is
tiiero still such a co.nplaint of " religious
destitution "? With so many hundred i)laces
of worship, several of a gorgeous and impos-
ing appearancr, ur..l with a multitude of
priests, irum the princely archbishop, loll-
ing in his luxurious carriage, down to the
most humble dissepting itinerant, there was
yet an amount of vice and ignorance in Jjon-
don that was almost overwhelming. By the
immensity of aids and appliances which
('h ristianicy had at its command — wealth,
power, and authority — any religious system,
M< rmonism or Mohammedanism, or any other
ism, no matter how monstrous, absurd, or de-
basing to human reason, might be inculcated
and established by resolute men. Yet even with
these very means, to an enormous extent, tlui
Complaint still was, that tbe national faith
was languishing, and tliat many, even among
piiests and pir us literati, began to doubt, just
as if Christianity was behind the age — a
drag upon science, and as if it contained no
intrinsif! excellence that could not be made
sufficiency mai.ifest without the persuasive
airi of Q-old, legal enactments, and priestly
pensioners.

Almost ev^ry city paper containnd, periodi-
cally, account of some great nictating, got u])
by th(» clergy, for the ])urpose of making ])ious
appeals to tho benevolent for fresh means lO
meet tho spiritual wants said to be so fast in-
creasing. Did these wants arise from an in-
crease of sinners, or an increase of priests'?
Every possible method was used to induce the
people to resort to places of worship ; and to
„«-..,.i ii.! - particidurly, the ministry

tinited, almost to a man, in making pulpit ap-
peals against Sabbath d«-s<'cration. Tliey
hnidly d'jcried against a resort to ])ublic parks,
gardens, libraries, or museums, but all to no
]niri)08e ; the great mass of the working people
would not come under the clerical yoke : and if
debarred from such favorite places, many
might wander away among green fields or
pleasant highways, while too many others
would defiantly resort to dram-shops, gin
palaces, or dens of depravity. It was proved by
official returns, that the numerous churches
and chapels already erected were on the aver-
age not more than one third filled by regular
attendants ; and it was a Avell known fact that,
with regard to the Established Church, not
more thnn one third of the number of its
clerical incumbents ever did more for religion
than go through the occasional formality of
reading titurgical prayers, or delivering a
languid sermon — oft(>n the composition of some
neecly author. Yet still these very incumbents
who live in ease, and revel in such ducal in-
•comes, or draw such exorbitant salaries, are,
without tho least comi)unction, among tlu!
very first to shout out, " More money, more
churche'-, more priests, and more Sunday
restrict if ns."

These circumstances were degrading to re
ligi(m. 1'he truth was not ]iroached, but it
was made merchandise of by unscrupulousftien,
whose priestly trade v. . .shut a s^ource of wealth
to themselves and a tax on the nation. The
Queen, Lords, and Commons united in support
of that gr^at n^ligifuis impositicm called
" Th(! Church ;" and our legislators stood agapt.'
if any one dared to question such a palpable
outrage. The church must bo protected even
though blood should bo daily shed in su])-
port of its exactions.

But then, thought he, tho dissenting
ministers are a different class ; were it not for
them, Christianity in Britain would be almost
extinct. These ministers might in reality Ik
called the " successors." They were ^lersons
who cared not to ])reach for the sak(» of filthy
lucre; the soids of nun were of more value to
them than rich livings or ecclesiastical prefer
ments. But, alas ! even among dissenters, there

:o;;,

effect this more

were only a few of such preachers. They,
had undoubteiliy beconxi more worldly. The
strife and bitter fettling among the various
sects seemed to grow with their growth, and
strengthen w'+h their str(>ngth. This con
tinned strife w«s quite sutficicnit to counteract
all tho good that had beea done; by tho most
successful revivalists. Ami now, at the present
day, while places of worship have been (|uadru
])hKl ; when preaching has beconu) a lucrative
trade; while the younger sons of the Britisli
aristocracy are foisted ijito bisho])ricH — tukinir
precedence of merit in tlie church as they do
of valor in the army — when clergymen and
jn'eachers of all ranks and conditions are aim
ing a+'ter popularity and distinction, whili-
sects and denominations of all kinds have be
come wealthy and infiuentiul, and while tin"
Ciiristian creed has an a'gis of protection in
tho strong arm of the law, the rtyiigious
world is actually retrograding, and religion
itself is held among many of the most giftt'd
and intelligent to be only u delusion.

sel
tuf
ml
fr|
wj

iu|

of]

of I

bel

hoi

ani

in"

M«

e&t

8m|

eitl
an(
asi
I
gra
Iftof
tivi
of]

liXETER HALL.

\nfr pulpit ap-
ition. 'Dwy
I public parks,
hut all to no
orkitifT people
1 yoke : and if
places, many
con fields or
many others
in-shops, pin
was proved by
•ous churclu'S
; on the avor-
i>d by rej^uhu-
own fact that,
1 Church, not
lumber of its
re for rolio'jon
1 formality ol
delivering n
)sition of some
ry incumbents
such ducal in-
; galaries, are.
, among the
money, more
more Sunday

rrading to re-
-ached, but it
rupulousttien,
urce of wealth

nation. The
ted in support
osition called
)rs stood agK\if
^h a ])ali)able
)rotected even

shed in buji-

dipflenting

re it not for

uld be almotit

in reality \k

W(>re persons

Nike of filthy

more value to

stical prefer

.senters, there

They,tnr„

orldly. Tho

the various

growth, anil

This con

counteract
by the most

it the present
been (|uadni
10 a lucrative
f the Uritisli
iricH — takinif

1 as they dd
rgymen ami
ions are aim
dion, wliili'
ids have be

d while till'
)r<ttection in
le nViigious
iind religion
most gifted
on.

These were strange thoughts for a young

{jreaciier to indulge in, but they were such as
lad obtruded upon hiui at the time. He could
not reject tiie evidence that had forcibly pre-
sented itsi^lf day after day. Again he tried to
turn from these unpleasant ogitalioua ; be-
neath him was the smiling garden, and the
fresh fragrance of the morning ascended to
where In; stood. Spring liowers wiTc fling-
ing their incensi? to the young day, and buds
of beauty that had Ix'en cared for by the hand
ofa fair girl were blushing in the early sun-
beams. What ])eace aeeined to rest upon tho
dwelling! When ho thought of his friendly
host, it. WHS with a feciing of sincere pleasure,
and he felt grateful that his liin^s had fallen
in S'jcli pleiis.iut places. lb* thought of Mary
Manners ; luT song soeuKjil to linger in his
6ar ; her iiniige was before liim, and her sweet
Qmih: rose like ravliance in his memory. Mrs.
Jtfannors he considered an excellent woman —
good, ])ioiis, anil charitable, but far behind
©ithe,r father or daughter iai mental qualities ;
and already to him did that daughter ajjpear
as the special angel of the household.

Indeed, Mr. Capel might be justified in
granting that position to Mary Manners. Al-
lAost every thing that was beautiful or attrac-
tive in or about Hampstead Cottage bore traces
of her sujierintendence. In fine weather, she
speat much of her time in the garden. She
trimmed the shrubs, trained the vines, nursed
young, delicate plants, and petted the birds in
the hall ; and when slu! approached the cages,
the little inmates became at once vocal.. With
William as her almost constant attendant, the
flower ])ots, the flowers, the fountain, the rock
work, and even the nciat graveled walks, were
all kept more trim and orderly by her indus-
trious cure. She was also quite competent
to supeiiutend hoiiseluddaftairs.

What a blessing, thought >' Capel, she
might be to ]u'v motiier were .she only brought
under the full influence of religion, and not to
jlier mother alone, but to luu- father ; for she
Iniglit 1)0 a missiouary, whose gentle teaching
livould be more ])ersuasive to a mmd liko his
than that of the most skillful ixileniie, or than
theargiini'jiitot'tlii; most learned pulpit oration.

The events of the previous eviiiiing passed
rapidly before him, and lie began to reflect
upou the duty which he had undertaken. He
was gnsatly ]>leased with the iVaiik, courteous
disposition of Mr. Manuors ; but he feared it
would be a dilliciilt task to make hiiu l)elieve
that the sentiments which he held upon
religious subjects were erron(X)us.

Mr. Capel, as well as other ))reac,hors, oft(ui
liad troublesome doubts ari.se in his own
mind, he often felt confused abiuit various
ambiguous passages in the IJibte, and
about tlieir various interpretations. He
was often pm-plexetl by contradictory chap-
tens, verses, and texts ; and the bare idea of
etcrna/, punishment was most repulsive,
and conflicted greatly with his couci-ption
of divine benevolence. It would not, iiow-
■ ever, be prudent to mention these doubts to
any one; least of all to the ]»ersou whom he
Was now di'sirous of reclaiming from error.

I have been, thought Mr. Cajjel, too much
like a doubtiuy 'J'homas, over ready to stumble

1 over the slightest obstruction. I have allowed
my frail reason to interfere with my faith, and
if I do not suppress these rebt-tiious thoughts,
as others in the faith make it a duty to do,
I may go on forever doubting and reasoning
and reasoning and doubting, until I shall have
stepped over the precipice which has brought
destruction to so many. Why should I set up
my opinions against those of the most able
and intellectual that England has produced':
Why should I hesitate to accept that which
has been tried by a Wesley, a Clark, and a
Paley? G reat minds have submitted to reve-
lation, and surely / can not refuse the truth
which has been so apparent and conclusive
to them. To doubt what Newtou believed
would be folly and pressumption.

Before he left his room, he decided to be
more prayerful, to try and banish every doubt,
and to place full trust in the Lord. He
would speak to Mr. Manners in all sinceri-
ty ; he would tell him of his lost state by
nature, and how he might be enlightened by
the Divine Spirit, and how he miglit be saved
by jdacing all trust in the propitiatory sacri-
fice made for every child of Adam. He would
in this matter boldly take up his cross, and
the Lord would not be forgetful of his
promise, but would reveal himself, and estab-
lish his own truth. That truth must be ir-
resistible, particularly to one who, like Mr.
Manners was a sincere incjuirer, and who
could in calm discussion throw aside every
prc^judice and submit to honest conviction.

As Mr. Capel entered the parlor Miss Man-
ners had just commenced to ])lay one of
Betithoven's beautiful sonatas ; she was not
a\vare of the presence of the young preacher.
She sat in her loose morning dri>ss, and t!very
motion was the perfection of grace. Her un-
bound golden hair hung o'-ound her snowy
shoulders, and her delicate fingers ran along
the keys witli finished touch, sending out the
most exquisite harmony. What little seraphs
had once seemed to his boyish mind, Mary
was now to his manhood ; and as she still
played, her ])resenco and her music had such
a magical eflect that neither by word nor
action could he interrupt the fair i)erformer,
and he listened delighted ^pid spellbound for
the time.

When the piece was finished, he addressed
Miss Manners. She was a little surprised, and
a faint blush overspread her face, greatly add-
ing to her personal attractions, and rcnider-
iiig the clear blue eyes which she had now
turned toward him singularly fascinating.
She had not the least idea that he had '>een a
listener in the very room ; and now that tiiey
were alone for the first time, she felt slightly
embarrassed, But with her, such a fending
-could be only momentary ; she looked ui> at
j him confidently, and said: '' I hope i played
one of your favorite pieces. Pa says you are
a good judge of music, and indeed I think so
too. I ftincy I heard your voice last evening,
you sang for a minute or two, and then quit
suddenly us if you were afraid. Let me see,
Quakers, I believe, never indulge! in music.
How strange ! Is it sinful to sing ".'''

" Oh! not at all ; we sing in our worship,
i wo praise Uod in music."

EXETER HALL.

" Yes, of courso you sing hymns ; but such
Bongs only. Now, you are a minister, and T
think you will acknowledge that no one can
be very bad who is readiiy touched or alFected
by music. Ma used to tell me when 1 was a
child, that little angels were continually sing-
ing delightful melodies. Music, therefore,
must be i heavenly accjuirement."

" He \en would not, I think, be perfect
without it," said Mr. Capel. " Angels are
alwavs musical ; and I find that some of our

after his conversion that Mr. Wesley used to
presume to be the ' chief of sinners. ' You
can not believe that he was. Ma and Han-
nah are almost always telling us of his good-
ncss ; and to read his interesting journals,
you could come to no other conclusion than
that he was a favorite with God and man.
Yet how mistaken good men can be some-
times' !"

" Mr. Wesley was certainly a blessing to the
world," said Mr Capel ; " he was particular-

earthly angels are very like their sisters in ly successful as a preacher of ^ighteou8ne^^^,

parauise.

Miss Mannors again blushed slightly ; she
was perhajjs a little confused by the reply,
but she continued as if she had not heard it.

" I can not on that account," said she, " be a
very great pinner. I d(m't pretendt to be a
saint, but I find that even some of our most
religious persons are alwiays deploring their
own vileness, as they call it. Now really, Mr.
Capel, don't yoU tliink that many of our pious
people exaggerate a great deal with such re-
ligious phraseology of self-condemnation ?
Now, my mamma is one of the best and kindest
hearts in all the world, yet she is given to be-
wail her own sinfulness ; and she has told us
over fifty times that we in this quiet place ar«
all wicked and sinful, and very bad in most
respects. Can this be so? And Mr. Wesley,
who, as you know, was a very good man natu-
rally, and 1 supi)oso much better for having
been such a devoted minister, often boasted —
if I may use that t^xjiression — that he was the
'chief of sinners'! Was not such an assertion
truly and positively wrong V It was not only
a very absurd exaggeration, but almost if not
quite a — of courso I won't say what. Don't
you think so V

This question, simple as it was, and put
with such italirte, really disconcerted him for
a few moments ; but the usual orthodox reply
came to his rescue, and he said :

" According to the Scriptures, Miss ^fan-
nors, we ar<^ all sinners by nature. We are
told that there is none good, no, not one.
I acknowledge that there seems to be an ap-
parent incongruity in the assertion to which
you allude. As fallible beings, we are not

and no doubt many are now among the re-
deemed whom he can claim as seiils to his
ministry. He now enjoys his heavenly re-
ward."

"And yet, wonderful to relate, he was all
the time the 'chief of sinners.' Well, I de-
clare, Mr. Capel, there is something very in-
consistent in such an idea. Then you believe
that the Almighty thinks every person fit for
condemnation but the regenerate ; and that
imtil we are what you call 'born again,' wo
are all equally guilty, and must all perish
alike under the curse of the law? What
injustice to make me answerable for the sins
of another ! Why did God permit Adam to
be tempted, when he knew that he could not
resist? Then if I am ixnder this curse, how
am I to get free ? I remember a text which
I learned at Sunday-school, ' No man can come
to me except the Father which hath sent me
draw him.' If we can not repent until we are
draAvn, punishment for non-cnm]il lance would
seem unjust. There are some other singular
paspr.ges in the Bible which go to provt! that
the Deity is partial, ' blinding the eyes ' and
' hardening the hearts ' of some, lest they
should be converted. This is hard to believe ;.
it may be orthodoxy, but it is not humanity.
Such a doctrine is opposed to the better feel-
ings of our nature; ; it is most repulsive. We
fallible creatures readily admit that there are
df'prees of guilt, and our reason and common
sense lead us to believe that there ought to
be degrees of punishment. Our refornu\tory
laws are based upon such a principle ; but to
condemn all alike may be divine justice ac
cording to Scriptxire ; it is certainly not con-

truly capable of jigging as to what is right or ' sintcnt with human jurisprudence."
what is wrong. j Wiiile speaking thus, Mary Mannors looked

" We think favorably of those whom we be- him full in tlu^ face, and her emotion spread a
lieve to be good and virtuous ; we may hv glow over her beautiful countenance. Ho
partial, but tli;^re are no degrees of sin in ](aused in admiration and astonishment. She
tlm sight of God ; all alike are under condeni- ' had given him as])ecimen of precocious reason
nation. And until a man becomes regenerate, \ ing which he did not exjiect ; he had never

and freed from the curse of the law, he has
no right to expect the favor of God, or con-
sider himself any thing but a sinner of the
deepest dye."

"Under tiu> curse of the law! Dreadful,
dreadful!" said Mary, with an arch smilo:

before heard a perstm of her agi- express sen-
timents so fearlessly, <ir with such a feeling
of tliorough indiftt'rence to orthodox censure.
His inimtxliate impulse was in symymtliy with
her o])inions, but that impulse was but mo-
mentarv. As like others .nnxious to believe.

" wliy, really, 1 think religious persons must Faith was ever ready to whisptT, " Beware of
be very unhappy. Just to think of having to { reason," and Faith with him still had the
believe that all the gcM)d, kind jieopli," avo see ascendency

around us are such terrible wretches as to
deserve such condemnation ! And then t->
believe that God, who is said to ))e so loving
and merciful, is to be always so unfni'uriving
and vindictive toward creatures which he
himself is said to have created. 1 can not
believe this. You umst remember that it was

" 1 am aware. Miss IMannors," said, he with
pome dilfidence, "that lliere are iia^^sagcs in
the llible hard to b(> imderptootl ; Ini! there is
enough suiliciently i»lain toteach us our duty.
I trust you will some day view tluse nuitters
as 1 TV)W do. We know by experii /ice how
dillicult it is for human tribunals to decide

EXETER HALL.

i^esley used to
nnorp. ' You
Ma and Ilan-
s of his jjood-
tinjr journals,
nclusion than
Sod and man.
can be eonie.

blcpsinortotlio
'as particular-
rif^hteonsness,
imonj; the re-
B Beiils to his
heavenly re-

te, he Avas all

• Well, I de-

tlnnff very in-

Rn you helievc

person fit for

ate ; and that

irn afrain,' Ave

ust all perish

laAV ? What

le for the sins

iinit Adam to

; he could not

lis curse, how

p a text Avhich

man can come

hath sent me

nt until we are

ipllance would

>tlier singular

to prove that

the eyes ' and

me, lest they

rdto believe ;.

ot humanity.

e bett(>r fecl-

iiulsive. We

hat there are

and common

ere ouf^ht to

reformatory

iple ; but to

ic justice ac

inly not con

e."

mnoTS looked
tlon spread a
(■nance. He
hment. She
pious reason-
«; had never
express sen-
ch a feeling
lox c<'nsure.
nymthy with
ivas but mo-
to berun'c,
" Beware ol
ill had tho

laid, he with
imssngcs in
Jlni! tiiere irf
Ins uiir duty.
Ifsi" matters
l'ri( lice liow
Ih to decide

the claimb ;)f justice. What injustice has been
done where justice has i)een the aim I We
must submit entirely to the claims of revela-
tion. Without the Bible, our reason would
lead us far astray, and tho Avorld would bo
sadly bewildered."

" LTjion my word," said Mary, laughing',
"without desiring to s])eak irreverently, I
tliink the Bible has sadly b(>wildered those
who pretend to expound it. If there are, as
you say, pat^sagc^s in that book hard to be un-
derstood, and liable to produce error and un-
certainty, what necessity was there for them V
They could not have been written for our in-
struction or cditication. I am inclined to
think that while we ignore reason in these
matters, we sliut out the only light we have.
I fear you will think that I ]>resume too
much ; but from the variety of opinions, the
number of creeds, contradictions, and conflict-
ing doctrines — all said to be derived from the
same inspired source, and all claiming the
same infallibility, those who are determined
to stick to the Bible as being an inspired
book must ever remain in a Avilderness of
doubt and speculation."

" Why such passages arc included in the
Bible is at pr(?sunt beyond our comprehen-
sion ; we must only assume," said Mr. Capel,
" that they are intended for some good pur-
pose. It would l)e folly to reject all, because
a portion is beyond our reason. The Bible, as
it is, is the only revelation from fiod to man.
In it w(! have sutficient instruction, and if we
ore governed by its precepts, we need not fear
the designs of the Evil One, avo need not be
afraid to die."

" Well, well," said Mary. "I can not under-
stand these things. I fear no evil one ; and,
when mv tiinc; comes, T shall not be afraid to
die. But apart from this, if you say that un-
til we become regenerated Ave must consider
ourselves sinners of the deepest dye, I cannot
agree* with yon. Now, do you think," said she.
Smiling, and giving him an arch look, "do
you really think that /am such, a Avretched
sinner, and that I dei<erA-e such terrible punish-
ment 'I I do not feel tliat I am. I do not belioA^e
that I am. 1 never did tlui least harm to any
one in my life : indeed, I would much rather do
a kindness than an injury. And to say that
I shoulil be obliged to consider pa and Wil-
liam, whom I love, and nuuiy other excellent
persons whom I know and regard, as vile de-
graded creatures, full of all kinds of sin and
mischief, 1 would rather be vilified and de-
Bpiseil a.s a downv.ght unbelieviT ; as far as
that goe.s, faiii an unbeliever. I would not
on any ain-ount submit to such a doctrine. I
think you will lind it dilRcult to do so your-
self. It', in <u'(ler to be u good Christian, you
must believ(! that a fe'W of »is, cpuet, unoffend-
ing jM^ople in this h<)us(', are as bad as even
Some (»f tli(^ ministers we I'cuid of in tlu* jiapers,
Avhy then," said she, smiling, "avo shall never
be of oni! mind."

" That's right. Pop, that's right," said Mr.
Maiuiors, who now entered tin; room, carrying
^Villiam on his back. " I have overhi'ard what
you have just said, raid if Mr. Capel is right,
I must, like Buuyau's I'iljrrim, j^ot rid of this

I little bundle of sin ;" and lie placed William
I on a chair near his sister. " You see, Mr.
Capel, when I am away, my daughter is my
representative, and if you tell her we are
all such bad people, then yon must ex-
pect to get some hard blows. He tries to
imagine that we are as wicked and corrupt
as your mamma and poor Hannah fancy we
are, does he ?" said he, addressing Mary ;
and Avhile he stood smiling behind her chair
he began to smooth doAvn her glossy ringlets
Avith his open hands.

" Indeed, Miss Mannors is a Aery good ex-
ponent of the doctrine of self- righteousness,"
said Mr. Capel pleasantly. " I am afraid she
is under the impression that the saints are a
A'ery exclusiA-e set of beings. I trust, however,
that before long she will be better acquainted
Avith their sentiments."

Mary noAV stood by the piano, and again
her fingers ran o'er the keys iu a careless
manner ; and the notes that she aAvoke came
in response to the gentle feelings of her own
bosom. She had no dread of future misery ;
she had no fear of a Deity aa'Iio created her for
purposes of A'engeance. She felt no condem-
nation for any th'ng she had done, and had
it been in her power, she would have Avilling-
ly banished care, and distress, and sorrow
from every human being. She Avas not pos-
sessed of one truly selfish feeling, and had no
higher ambition than to try and make the lit-
tle circle in Avhich she moved radiant Avith
happiness. What, then, had she to fearV
Ministers of the Gospel might frighten others
about the " wrath of an offended (lod," and
about the " death that never dies," and
about flames and tortures, and the horrors de-
picted by Baxter, Edwards, and Doddridge,*
she would belieA'e in no such vengeance — of
no Avorse fiends than some of those in human
shape. She would still hope and trust in
the great Being Avho made this beautiful
earth, and the blue skies ; Avho smiled iu tho
sunlight, and gave fragrance to the flower.
She would trust that Being Avho had giA'ea
her a heart to feel, and Avho had given to her,
and to them she lovtid, faculties for enjoyment ;
and Avho, above all, had endowed her Avith
reason to resist teachings which would por-
tray the Oniniixitent PoAver as a barbarous di-
vinity, influenced by malignant passions — ca-
liricious, arbitrary, tyrannical, and revenge-
ful.

Her fingers still Avandered over the ins-tru-
ment, bringing out snatches of faA'orite airs ;
and as she stood Avith her head turned to tho
sunlight, and her eyes directed toAvard some
dew-spangled tloAver iu the garden, she looked
nuire like the imjiersonation of true AA'omanly
dignity and Avorth than the deluded abbess
immured in a couA'ent ; or than many of her
Protestant sisters avIio pay a silly worship to
popular priests, and who niiglect tlu> duties of
home to go on a round of collections for the
purpose of erecting churches, circulating tracts
and Bibles, or tV)r providing funds and an out-
fit for Utopian missi<maries to the frantic Feo
jees or treacherous Tongataboos.

*See Note D.

EXETER HALL.

CHAPTER XI.

■'if t,

,,1,,;}*'*'*"

•T •[ , ,. ..

1 1 -Mi.

■ ■.■:"!'llli,

I ■

■'I...

Mks. Mannoks had a tiiuinph ! This morn-
ing, for the tiret time in many, years they
had regular family devotion ; tV.c domestic
altar had again V)e(!n raised in the good old
fashion. A chapter was read, then a few
words by way of explanation, and then there
was j)rayer. What was more wonderful to
her, Mr. Mannors had actually graced that
triumph by his i)resi-nce. lie and Mis3 Man-
nors attended, as well as William and Han-
nah. All had assembled in th(? breakfast-
room, and the greatest attention was paid
while Mr. Capel was occupied in the per-
formance of that service. Mrs. Mannors
was in the best of spirits ; she liad brought
this thing to pass ; she felt like blessing
the I^ord all day long ; and during break-
fast, she entertained them with cheerful con-
versation about preachers and brethren, and
about pleasant tea meetings in contemi)lation.
And then she dwelt in anticipation ujjou the
glorious time they were going to have in th ,'ir
grand assauh on the stronghold of Satan, at
the protracted or revival meeting that was
Boon to take place ; many stubborn sinners
were to be subdued, and the Lord was to be
mightily magniiied by the conquest. Then
she told them about the busy preparations
that were making for the gnnit me«'ting of
the British and Foreign Bible Society, to be
held in Exeter Hall in the month of May ;
and about the ship load of idols, and Indian
chiefs, and converted canniljals that were
daily expected from foreign parts, and that
were to be openly exhibited at a subse(iuent
missionary meeting — genuine Gospel tri-
umphs ! She was not troubled this morning
by the effects of any particular dream. Wil-
liam looked much better ; she smiled most
benignantly on Mr. (!apel, and altf«gi'ther she
was in a most satisfactory state and very hap-

py. '

There were (jthers also that morning, at
Hamjjstead who to a certain, extent might be
said to be in the enjoyment of as full a
measure of contentment as Mrs. Mannors.
The young preacher could scarcely fancy that
he was not among his own dearest relatives.
He was almost persuaded to believ(! that Heath
Cottage had once been his honu?, and that he
had now returned to it after an absence of
many years. He became communicative, and
spoke about Ireland, and gave a description of
the unrivaled natural beauty of the environs
of his native city. He related anecdotes of
liis younger day.s, and then revealed a little
of his family history. He told theui of the
death of his motlu^r ami brother, and how
lonely the world ajjpeared to him afterward,
and how he had been inducinl to enter the
ministry. Whili! he mentioned these things,
he cviuld not help perceiving tliut he was
Avinning the synijjathy of his new friends,
and when he told them of his last visit to the
old clnirchyard, where his pari'ats and his
little brother rested, and how he ])lante,d a
rose-tree at each grave, and how wretched he
felt when he had to leave all and ijo out into
tlu! world among total strangers, he saw that
besido Mrs. Maunors's there was one pair of

soft eyes almost suffused with tears, and the
solemnity on William's i'ace was remarked by
his mother as being strangely serious. Even
Mr. Mannors was sensibly aftected by the
simple recital, and he sp(»ke such warm words
of encouragement as to nuike Mr. Capel truly
feel that he vas not without a home and
friends.

During the conversation in the breakfast
room, Hannah indulged as usual. Her voice
from the kitchen could be heard singing
lustily oneof Wesley's hymns. She, too, seem-
ed to bo under the prevailing inlluence of the
time ; sb 3 was in the sjurit, and although a
good-natured laugh of mockery from Robert,
who was working in the garden, could also be
occasionally heard, Hannah seemed to pay no
heed to the interruption, but resolutely con-
tinued until the entire hymn was finished.

Mr. Ca|)el had yet a week to remain b(.'fore he
was required to reconmience his itinerant vis-
itations on the circuit. He would have been
much better pleased had it been a fortnight ;
he was, however, determined to enjoy in the
mean time all the happiness he could, and to
make his stay at Hanqistead agreeable to his
new friends. He intended to embrace the first
opportunity that offered in opening his mind
to Mr. Mannors on the subject of religion, and
if possible try and wean him from his erroneous
views. He felt that he was but a weak iustcu-
raent to effect much good. He knew his own
inability to deal with a person of such mental
calibre as Irs hospitable fricnid ; but, fully
trusting for i. id from on high, he would under-
take the duty in all humility, conscious that
many eyes were fixed ujion him, and that if ho
succeeded his success would be a triumph for
the (jiospel that might make scofl'ers and skep-
tics pause on their downward road. He would
do his best, not for the pur])ose of obtaining
any credit for himself, but f(w<he further illus-
tration of th(i potency of the Divine Word. Ho
had already been considering some of the ob-
jections urged by h:s friend, and lie thought
it possible to meet them in a satisfactory man-
ner. He had no faith in the subleties of argu-
ment or controversy ; Ik' kn(!W that prayer
and faith would remove every mountain of
unbelief ; the result he would leave in the hand
of the Lord.

'J1io opi)ortimity sought for by the young
])reacher was not long waiting. ^Irs. Mannors
had that day to visit Mrs. Baker, and she
wished Mary and her brother to accompany
her ; the visit might benefit William. An
early start was d(>sirable, and in a short time
Robert drove up with a plain, comfortable vehi-
cle. Mr. Capel assistecl Miss Maniu)rs to her
])lace, and was rewarded by one of her sweetest
smiles. All was ready, and the parting be-
tween Mr. Mannors and his wife and children
was as affectionate as if they.wei ; not to meet
again for a month ; and when the carriage
drove away, he and Mr. Capel stood at the
gate, and looked after them until they were
entirely out of sight.

It might notbetliHiculttospeculate upon the.
young preacher's thoughts at the Uioment. It
nnght not be hard to guess who it was that
monopolized the most prominent plac;' in his
imagination, and who it was in particular

EXETER HALL.

ears, and the
r(>marked by
rioiis. Even
ctcd by tho
warm words
. Capel truly
L liome and

lie broakfafit
. Ilor voic'o
ard singhi}^
le, too, srem-
uenco of tlio
althoujrh a
rom Robert,
[•oiild also b(!
cd to pay no
«)lutoly con-
fiuiBhod.
aiu bofore he
tiiu'rant vis-
l liavo been
a fort ni gilt ;
enjoy iu the
'ould, and to
oeablc to his
race the first
tiff his mind
religion, and
lis erroneous
weak iustcu-
iiew his own
such mental
; but, fully
vould under-
mscious that
11(1 that if ho
triumph for
rs and Kkei>-
Ile would
obtcining
ther ilhiB-
Word. IIo
of the ob-
1 thought
iictory man-
es of argu-
lat ]irayer
untain of
in the hand

Hie young
. ISIiuinors
, and she
accompany
liam. An
short time
table velii-
lors to her
r sweetest
carting be-
d children
lot to meet
carriage
)0(i at tho
they were

(^ upon the
•iiK-nt. It
was that
Uic' in hJB
liarticular

urt

that he missed Avhon tho sound of the wheels
died away in the distance, and when the liglit
clouds of ihi^t that rose up behind them grew
thicker and thicker. Although the sunlight
was as briglit as ever, yet already there was
Boniething shadowy in the appearance ot Heath
Cottage, — there was a want of life about the
place; : even now, he really thought that the
flowers were drooping their delicate heads, as
if their queen had taken tiight ; that the little
fountain had alnmst ceased to play, as if its
gushing jets could only leave mere bubbles
upon the surface of tiie limpid water; and
that the yellow birds which looked up so often
from their handsome prisons to the blue sky
wen; more silent, just merc^ly giving an occa-
sional note, as if to let you know that they
were yet alive. In spite of uU he could do, a
feeling of loneliness crept over him, and he
■was not much enlivened when Mr. Mannors
said, in a kind of regretful mood, " There goes
all my earthly treasure."

As they walkcvd toward the house, Mr. Capel
remarked, how iiappy they must be who had
not their entire treasure upon earth, but who
had their chief store laid up, where neither
moth nor rust could corrupt nor thief break
through to irtcal. What a privilege those en-
joy(;d who could give up all, and forget all, for
heaven. " Sujipose," continued he, " that you
fihottid lose that treasure wliicii you have rea-
son to prize so highly, what consolation would
you have lt;fr, V

" None, that I know of. but my tears — nature's
own soothing. I would have to bear the afllic-
tioii as best 1 could ; we know by experience
that such losses are among the contingencies
of life, and are sure to follow in the course of
human (jvents. I envy no one the selfish privi-
lege of forirutfulness. To be in huch a place
as heaven itself cmild not induce me to forget
those I love — may 1 never be so selfish ! My
treasur(>s are, liowever,upon this earth,whlch is
now my heaven ; and should I be so unfortunate
as to lose ihem, I shall, no doubt, be delighted
if I can again meet them in any happiei place,
or in some future state of existence."

The young i)reaclier then endeavored to
assurt; him of the certainty of such a me(;ting ;
it was that certainty which sustained the pious
in afUictioiis or bereavement ; and he then quot-
ed several passag(;s of [^crii)ture in support of
his assertions. Mr. Mannors, however, stattxl
his regret that such ])assages were not sufficient
to assure him, having had good reasons to
question tlKTir autlituiticity ; and as doubts
were thrown on leading texts which Mr. Capel
endeavored to explain, Mr. Mannors suggest-
ed tiiat they should retire to his study where
Iw had some hooks bearing on the question,
and wliere tliey would be able to converse
■without interrupt ion.

" Well," said Mr. Mannors, when they were
quietly seated, "you and I are, I think, differ-
ent from most persons who meet for discus-
sion. We av(i about to ajiproach the matter in
a proper spirit, not like so many others who
wage a war of words for tlu; mere sake of a
victory, We meet hero for the more noble
purpo.se of endeavoring to ascertain what is
truth. Could I believe that you -were deter-
mined to resist conviction and stick to cherish-

ed dogmas, ■whether right or wrong, I would
not sit here a moment longer. We know that
the pursuit of truth is attended with much
difficulty, and that the sincere inquirer is often
denounced as the enemy of his race. History
has abundant proof that the high priests, and
those in high station whom they could in-
fluence, have been ever ready to defame and
persecute those who have refused to bow down
and worship a popular error; or who have
dared to brush away the antiquated excrescen-
ces which have impeded human progress. It
has been truly said that ' reformers, in all ages,
whatever their object, have been unpitiod mar-
tyrs, and tho'multitutle have evinced a savage
exultation in their sacrifice. Let in light upon
a nest of young owls, and they will cry out
against the injury yim have done them. Men
of mediocrity a*".; young owls ; and when you
present them with strong, brilliant ideas, they
exclaim against the^n as false, dangerous, and
deserving punishmem ; ' * and another writerf
says, ' An original thinker, a reformer in moral
science, will thus often appear a hard and insen-
sible character. He goes beyond the feelings
and associations of tho age ; he leaves them be-
hind him ; he shocks our old prtyudices ; it is
reserved for a subsequent generation, to whom
his views havtj been unfolded from infancy,
and in whose minds all the interesting associa^
tions have collected round them, wdiich for-
merly encircled the exploded opinions, to regard
his discoveries with unmingled pleasure.' No
man 'should be afraid of doubt ; it has been
called the ' beginning of philosophy,' and ' the
accusing attorney iu the court of truth.' No
true man should hesitate to grapple with false-
hood ; for from the midst of the dust and con-
fusion of the struggle, truth is sure to as-
cend more brilliant and triumphant. Any
sj'stem, theory, or principle, no matter how
anticiuated or popular, that dreads or forbids
investigation, bears witness to its own fraud,
and is already stamped with its own condem-
nation. Grote says, ' To ask for nothing but
results, to decline the labor of verification, to
be satisfied with a stock of ready-made argu-
ments as proof, and to decry tho doubter or
nc^gative r"asoner who starts new difficulties,
as a common enemy — this is a proceeding suf-
ficiently common in ancient as well as in
modern times. But it is nevertheless an abne-
gation of the dignity and even of the functions
of speculative philosophy.' We have tlum-
saiids around us at the present day who dread
this ' lal)or of verification ' — mental drones,
who swallow a creed as they would a pill ; who
are far behind the agi;, and who strut about
like resuscitated mummies bearing their worm-
eaten coffins on their backs as fancied emblems
of distinction : and who arc; ever ready to erect
a warning jiillar of hieroglyphics in' the way
of every sci(;ntific, social, or moral improve-
ment. These are they who, with haughty as-
sumjition, d«!nounce the living, thinking men
of the present tlay, who spurn their rotten
bandages, and refuse to have their free limbs
swathed in the musty conservatism of an an-
cient puerility. But the noble, liberal minds
of all ages have been the unflinching advo-

• Adventures of a Younger Son. t S. Bailey.

EXETER HALL.

*«(Jir

«i4i :

.'III

|.l,.i.

'"*..(,,

:ii:i

'iiiiiiiii""-
'■ ■■'"'■I..,

catcs of free inquiry, cvon should the inves-
tigation lead to the ahandoninent of ideas long
and tenderly cherished. Ijocke says, ' Those
who have not thorouf^hly examined to the
bottom their own tenets must confess they are
unfit to prescribe to others, and are unrea-
sonable ill imposinj;^ that as truth on other
men's belief which they themselves have not
searched into, nor weighed the arj^uments of
probability on which they should receive or
rei(u-t it.' ' A mistake is not the less so, and
will never grow into a truth, because we have
believed it for a long time, though perhaps it be
the harder to part with ; and an taror is not tlu*
less dangerous, nor the less contrary to truth
because it is cried up and had in veneration
by any party.'

" Investigation should be commenced and
continued withoitt any dread as to its i<.'S>r]ts :
a proposition which requires tender handling
is possessed of some inherent rottenness.
Harriet Mnrtineau observes that ' No in-
quirer can fix a dir(!ct and clear-sighted gaze
toward truth who is casting side glances all
the while (m the prospects of his soul.'

" When Galileo asserted the truth of the
Copernican tystem, he was scoftt^d at and
persecnted by the Haunting arrogance of old
ideas ; and when he offered to give some of
the wise ones of his day actual, positive proofs
of the truth of his recent discoveries, he wa*>
not only denounced as a heretic, but actually
imprisoned, for presuming to think bey<ind
others. The ecclesiastical mummies of that
period, like those of the present, declined the
labor of verification, preferring to hng an
antiquated error rathcir than permit the radi-
ance of truth to expose their ignorance. Writ-
ing to his friend Kepler on this subject, he
good-himioredly said :

" ' O my dear Kepler! how I wish we could
have a hearty laugh together. Hen* at Padua
is the principal professor of philosojdiy, whoiii
I have reiieatedly and urgently requesti^d to
look at tiie moon and ])lanets through my
glass, which Ik; jjcrtinaciously refuses to do.
Why arc you not hereV VVhat shouts of
laughter we should have at this glorious
folly.'*

" This is a fair illustration of blind, obstinate
prejudice ; and that such prejudice still exists
is glaringly manifest on (!very side. We have
now a multitude of yK-rsons loud in their
laudations of truth. Yet if you dare to doubt
thfir idea of that ])rinci[)le ; if you venture in
all humility to hint tlu; possibility of their
being in error; if vou should benovolentlv

* Luther, the lioro of tlio rjcforiiiiition, in tlio fiill-
ncps of liis iiriostly presmii])ti()ii, wiih as ready to
rail nt the d'scoveries of seieiititle iiieii aw wen; Konie
of his late votifreren of the Ifomish C'hun'li, In con-
deniiiation of'lhi' Coiii'i-iiicau si'Mteui of astronomy, he
thus commits liimself :

"I am now advined that a now astroUjsror in risen,
viio |)ivs(mieth to prove tliat tlie earili moveili anil
goetli about, not tlie lirnuiment ; tlu! sun and moon,
not the hiars— like as wlien (uu^ sitteth in a ccai'li, or
in a Fliip that is moved. thinUeth lui sllleth i-till aiul
resleili. hut llu! earth and trees do move and run
IheniK'lves. Thus it j^oetli ; we uive up ourselves to
t)nr(i\\n foolish fancies and conceits. This f.)ol (Co-
pernicus) will tarn the whole art of astronomy ujiside
down; hut tlm Ncrii)tiu-e. showeth and teacliiMli ano-
ther lesson, when .loshua conuuandelh the buu to
stand Btill, and not the earth,"

cast the most simple lamp-light across their
l)ath, in order to reveal, even to tin* least ex-
tent, the mud and mire through which they
proudly and resolutely ]>lunge — eager to fol-
low in the slushy track of venerated pre-
decessors — then you are an innovator, a dis-
turber, an infidel, and a wretch.

" Daily <'X])erience goes to ])rove that suchia
the treatment which many of our most emi-
nent benefactors have n^ci-ived from monopo-
li/ir g blind guides, who persistently obtrude
themselves as teachers of truth, and who as
persistently stand in tlu; way of ])rogress.
Even scientific Christian men have had to
acknowledge that su"h is the case. Agassiz
says, ' There are fmv of the great truths now
recognized which have not been treated as
chimerical and blasphemous before they were
demonstrated.' Yet, after all this, the ana-
thema is hurled at reform, and where ])rie8ts
can not persecute with tin; rack, as of old, they
resort to social degradation."

" You can not deny," said Mr. Capel, " that
many of our greatest reformers were sincere
Christians. >.'ewton. aiul Bacon, and others
whom I might mention, gave eniim-nt proofs
of their ability and desin^ to enlighten man-
kind ; thiy were not afraid of advanced opin-
ions."

" They were not ; but Lord Bacrm's ortho-
doxy was, however, very (juestionable, »nd
he was looked upon by many with distrust.
Newton's great discovery of gravitation, and
other discoveries of his, were strongly op-
I'osed, and were not fully understood by learn-
ed Christian men for more than fifty years
after their announcement. These cases, how-
ever; do not aflfect the general correctness of
what I have stated in relation to nuui who
hav(! departed from the beaten track of old
opinions. We know that lV(>e iniiuiry has
beeii ])roscribed from time to tinu;, and wo
still see the jiecessity for perseverance. No
matter how some may rage, or how l)a.se may
be their detraction, let him who is on the side
of truth b(^ fearless, and he is sure to triumph.
My object, so far, is to show the lu^eessity for
investigation ; and beiore I quit this prelimin-
ary, 1 will read you an extract bearing on the
subject.

" Samuel Bailey, in his jF.s.w// «?; the Pursuit
of Tri/t/i, fniyn: "rhe great interests of the
human race, then, denuind that the way of dis-
covery should \ni open, that there should be
no ol)struction to iiKpiiry, that every possible
facility and encouragement should be afforded
to eff'orts addressed to the detection of error
and to t!i(! attainment of truth ; nay, that
(!very human being, as fur as Ik; is ea])able,
should actively assist in tlu; ])ur8uit ; and yet
one of its greatest discouragi'mentsat jiresent
existing among niankiiul is tlu! state of their
own moral sentiments. Although he who
has achieved tlie discovery of a truth in a
matter of iin])ortaiu'e, or rescued an iidmitted
truth from iiisigaificance and neglect, may
justly indulge the rellection that he has con-
ferred a beiielit on his fellow-meii, t , which
even time itself can preseril)e no limits, he
will do well to jirepare i'nr the o'lium and
])ersecut'oii with wliich tli(i l)enelit will bo
resisted, and console himself with a lyrospec-

tic

EXETER HALL.

ftcro&a their
110 loast ex-
wliich tliey
afT'T to I'ol-
leratcd pre-
vutor, a die-

tliat suchis
r most emi-
im monopo-
itly obtrude
and who as
)f ])roj?ress.
lave had to
Ko. Agassiz
i truths now
1 treated as
re they were
lis, the ana-
here priests
5 oi ohl, they

Capel, "that
were sincere
, and others
inent proofs
i<)htcn man-
raucc'd opin-

iicon's ortho-

ionalihi, *nd

I'ith distrust.

vitation, and

Ktrongly op-

ood l)y learn-

1 titty years

V cases, how-

rectness of

o iiuMi wlio

iraclc of oUl

in(|uiry has

nu!. and we

ranee. No

w base may

on tlieeido

to triumph.

H'ce.-isity for

is preliriiin-

riuir ontlie

tive reliance on the gratitude and sympathy
of a future age. It is impossible to deny the
fact, that in some of the most important
depurtinents of knowledge, the bulk of man-
kiiui regard nrtvelties of doctrine — a descrip-
tion under which all detections of error and
acquisitions of truth must come — as acts of
moral tur[)itude or reprehensible arrogance,
whicli th(?y ar<i ready to resent on the head of
the itroniulgator.' "

"1 regret," said Mr. Capel, "to bo obliged
to admit the full force of what you have just
read. I'rom my own limited experience, too
many of our Christian teachers are ready to
decry doubt and turbid inipiiry. I fear no
investigation ; let truth and falseho id grap-
ple. I am willing to submit Chrif.tianity to
its severest, test. I have had my doubts on
many points, and some of the most thought-
ful are troubled this way. I have been told
that doubts were but temptations ; they may
be, but they generally tempt me to seek for
an explanation. I liavo often said that there
are many things in the Scriptures hard to be
tm:ierst(K)d ; but on the whole, I still accept
them, as containing more truth than I can
find anywhere else. I have full reliance on
t'aeir authenticrty, and do niit fear to h(!ar all
that can be said against what the Christian
world has accepted as Divine Revelation."
■ " This, then, is an honest conclusion," replied
Mr. Mannors. " If mi;n are hereafter to be
punished for the rejection of that revelation,
the sul)ject becomes more momentous, and they
should endeavor by all means to ascertain
whether the Bible contains that pure truth
whicli is claimed for it. No just Being can be
oflfiMided if we submit the Scriptures to such
fair tests as reason and common sense may
suggest.

" Now, to proceofl, we find that the earliest
reconU concerning the human family load us
to believe that men in almost every agi; and
climo have inclined to some form of rtMgion,
and have worshiped some particular idid or
divinity, or a number of such, peculiar to
their own race or nation.

" There are, it is said, a few very degraded
tribes who have no con option of supernatural
beings, and who do not, therefore, practic; any
form of worship ; but, as a general fact, it
may be a("cepted that religion has been a
prevailing idea amongst mankind.

" It is not necessary to our purpose to try and
trace the origin of the religious idea ; it is
merely suflicient testate, that the most ancient
religious ceremonies are said to have been first
practiced in Egypt ; and frimi thence the whole
world has b(!cimio indoctrinated with forms
and ceremonies almost innumerable.

"Hi'ligion has been always surrounded with
mysteries : and, for the purpose of dissimiinat-
ing its principles, the order of priests was in-
stituted.* They have generally assumed to

'*Tliii iiiUUor (if tlio Ot'Uic Druids, a loarnod work
.pnl>li'<lic;l in I,on(lo;i. siiys : "Of all tlio evils that cs-
oapi'l IVdiu l'ai)ilora'Hln)x.tli(!instUiiti(»ii of prio.sihoods
was tiu! woi'st. I'rU'SIs iiiivii IwuMi tlio ciu'.so of tlu)
Worl.l. \ud if \\M admit tlic merits of many of those
^t our o\\ n time to be as preeiuhumt aliove all oiliers
M tile ftprif lie rvi/'/w of the most sidf-eoiitented iii-
ilvidual of tlie order inay iiieite liiin to considiu' them,
ffieia aa I uiu willing toiillow the murits ol'individuuli)

have been possessed of superior information,
and to he able to regulate the intercourse be-
tween man and his Deity. Religious teachers, as
a class, are mostly men who have ever been sup-
ported in luxury and power, and whose interest
it is to persuade others that they alone are ca-
])able of giving or imparting religious informa-
tion. An able writer* on this subject says :
' There were such bodies of professional priests
in ancient Egypt, in Babylon, in Persia, in Gaul,
in Phoenicia, in Judea, in Etruria, and in Greece.
There are such priests now in Japan, in Hin-
dostan, in Thibet, in Ara'ia, in Rus.-.ia, iu
France, in England, and in Utah, and among
many other civilized and barbarous nations.
The several classes of prii^sts of no two of the
lands specially mentioned taught or teach the
same creed. There have beim at least two
hundred ditFerent ndigious creeds taught, and
extensively received among men, ditferent
from, and inconsistent with each otiier.' And
he further says : ' History tells us that, in an-
cient times, the people were very ignorant and
superstitious, and easily imposoil upon, and the
priests were numerous, and so infiuential that
they could induce the people to believe or do
almost any thing. It was the common belief
among the political rulers, that government
could not bo firmly established, or morality
presi;rv(!d without the aid of superstition, the
t(^rror of the gods, and an implicit faith that
the laws were of divine origin ; and this belief
frequently governed their action. Numa.Lycur-
gus, Zaleucus, Pythagoras, and scores of other
lawgivers asserted that their codes were com-
municated to them by the gods. Diodorus Sicu-
lus tells us that the purpose of these claims to
divine origin for human laws was to insure the
supremacy and jiermanence of constitutions
which would have been much less secure with-
out the mighty protectitm of superstition.
The laws of Egypt, Hindostan, Pej-i^ia, and
Babylon were all ostensibly dictated or writ-
ten word for word in heaven.'

" It is a singular fact that the priests and
propagators of almost every religicm claim for
their own particular belief a divine revelation.
The Egyptians asserted that their mysterious
rites had this authority. And, at the present
day.so do the Brahmins, and the Buddhists, and
the Jews, and the Christians, and the Moham-
medans, and the Mormons — this is the latest
revelation, one of our own times — and all who
can boast of a written creed claim that their
books are inspired, whicli to doubt would be
to imptu-il salvation.

"Creeds, then, have been established, and hu-
man beings are found in every country pro-
fessing some particular form of faith, and cer-
tain ])arts of the eartli are almost entirely gov-
erned and iutiuenced by peculiar religious prin-

to ho, T will not allow that tlioy form exceptions strong
onoiiiih to destroy the ijeneral nature of the rule,
Loolv at China; lit the festival of Ju'rij;ernaut ; tlio
Crusades; the massacres of St. ISartholomew ; of the
Mexicans and the Peruvians ; the tiriis of tlie Inquisi-
tion; of Alary, Cranmer, Calvin, and of the Druids!
lAiok at Ireland : look at Spain ; in short, look every-
where, and everywhere yon will «eo the priests reukiiij?
witli ^'ore. 'J'hey liave conveited populous and hajipy
nations into deserts; and have transformed onr heau-
tifnl world into a slau.i^htor-liouse, drenched with blood
and tears."
* Hittel.

,,;j'*

¥i

EXETEE HALL

t!.#^''

dpl*«. l^i". h. Trmn rm: name Li« r^-iigiaa, au/j
voa can V:li -wL^cb^rr Ju*r it fan h.^in.w: cr id
E.aT'j^h.u . ir5i kJiL n&iitr Lie c-'junirr. jind jou

fjon of Iti; u ii*r belon^ffe. C-maia Jvoi«i- lavf .j-
tne prr-u'.tior of & '.-A-rjiin Iruit . uii ptJ-
ticuiur pan* •_<? liit fcanii L.av*- *ibrh h jitr-
tic-uar '.Tr5r>l In oam qahn/er -f lij'r iir.-.r". ;. lii'r
vorf-ii.;p of BmiiiiiA or Baddtui mij j-rerjuJ :
in aD'xb'..'. t:ijii of Caoiiadas or ♦lirist ; in
an'.TLH:-!. tba: of Monricaj or Moiitmaea. Tht
faa L*., ixi'><t m-rii ffet tLeir '.t-j^*!^ in tlieir
crii'Iif- : bv fearlr incuJcirti^n. men fcre Vj r>*-
fotm'i in tii«; dearaiing urorj.kip' tf idol* and
anJUiiil-'. of mountajnt and rJver?. of gunliirbt

and

aar£U'*s. and of imag'iiiarr dei:;*-«.

b^-flfvoir;iii or oibervrise, corr'rsjrjnaini; wi:b
tin; mora] }>T^^pi;ons of ineir ■woi^-Lipc-ra.
Tbe ^ioi of '^"r nati.'Q inav l>r kind and betjt-
vol»fn:. wbile tLe *jf>i of ano;n*-r u-aj ije de-
picted afe inSueDC*?d bv un{roT.;.-mable pas-
siong — fi*;rcrr. fiXb/.tlii^. caprioox-. and revena-e-
f uj- To tis^ lb*- woroo of rkbiiier, ■ Man ,
j/ain*i? birn^^lf Ju Lie isoif-.' j

•■ ii- reafter. tb'.n, we r-baU consider irLin I
tli«r inSu^fUC^ of r-rJij^ion La« l»f-_^n to Ei-aLklnd. ■
bai for ibfe pn-s'riit, I pJiall mertlv state tuax
Lurnan Ijeii^*, In ajuj'.»i»T every jian of tbe
habitable j^lvi^. nave gabmitt^ to a? cv'Etrol.
A'x-/jriin;^ t'j au estiiuiite niad>r in the ytniT
1''.44, tbenainh>er of foljow^-rs of tbe T>r:Dfri[jai
rrvAr wer-- ; BiiddbiKt?. ^i^OZ/XJ.i.KX)' : CLrJs-
tJim--. i.j').(j(/i.W) : Moharnna'vians. l<y».Oi>;».-
0'^); BrabmiL.s. l.yj.(Kl0.f//J ; Pairans. TO.OrX".-
O/J ; J-w>, 10.000/XHj : in all, l.(W0.<X>iJ.OO0. j

'■ Tbe cre':r'i or l>rlief witb wbJcii we Lave
now to do." continued Mr. Mannors. "L* tbe
cT'-zA f;f rbriiftendoin. known ao Cbrlf?tlanitv.
Tlie aiuereiits of tbis faiib tell u-- tbat tbe.r
reliifjon i.« dtriviA from a i>X'k cali'id tbe
' Bibi',-.' and tkist t]J.s l^^ok !•• a divine re%-ela- ;
tion, written mar-y fx-ntuxifS a^'o, Vjv inspired
men. and contains in itself tbe eisScnce of di- .
v;ne tr j'b.

" It tbereffre appear^ tbat wLat the ,%/tj<ffr
iis Vj the Braliinin, or tiie Kura/t to tbe Mo-
liarnmedan, tbe BilA^ is to tbe Cbristian.
yow, if tlje Bible ih truly a revelation from ■
G'/i, for tbe instruction, e-dlfication, and re
foriiiation cf man. tbere c^n V; no jy^riible
imiifjpriety in a critical examination of its
c^jntent.'j. Tlxis was tbe view taken by many ,'
eminent men, wbo from tbe earliest times — _
c-ntury afi>-r c»-niury — ijad submitted tl^e ,
Bcri|.'tural b'x^ks to a fj^r-ful investig'ation ;
and not wjtljstandinyr t]je claims to insjjJration
r.ianhi for tbe Bible by its tbeolo^ians. it ]jas
been reject'-] time after time bv manv beamed
men and distinjfuisbe'l writers wlio were co-
teniporary wltli tbe SijjijKised s.cribes }x»tb of
tb'-Old and the New Testaments.

" Witliout ir<inii back to anfii-nt afres for
autborJtii'S in supjxjrt of this assertion, we
find in m'xlern times, and more particularly
in our own day, a widesi)read and incr'-iis-
in{^ oi)]>oeition to tbe jjretensions of Christian-
ity. Tliat ojiiK^sition lias not arisen from ih"
jj^norant, uneducated mass<-s. but from si-veral
of tbe most inti/llectual, wdentific. and distin-
guii-bei men, who, with a var?t number of
other tljinkers, also broutrbt up iu the Cliris-
lian faith, now boldly, and with no i?mall uhare

of morfci e/nrrfcff*". T^\fK\ it* doctrine* a« p:>nri-

(;u«. and ** depTfcd:nir a'"d iDC-:>ii»ist4:-n: in rel»-
tjon t/.> the attntjuter &nd j»erftiction§ of an all-
wise benevoient B^Jiir. ^'.n only Lave dis-
tin^TiisbiK inymen repuiiaiod th*- Scr.ptnrwR.
but acttial p.^iesifr of tb^ lutAT. like tbe late
Kev. Ko":»er: Tayl'-r oi tbe '.Lurcn of Enirland..
Lave n'C'ly resiffn^a & J1VJL4: of ease and
iuitiry. ano Lave lefj a aanttaary \»beretbey
'yjiud -vr-irsbip tjo I'lnc'-r. j»^rLa}.e to enter &
j.riwm a« alieyei blaspnemer?-. But fror.
wjtiiin tbe ■walls oi OakLjjn jail, and fr<»in
tbe able j>en of the same Ii',''t*en Tayk-r. came
forth in dae time tbe Z/t^^x-w^ and .'>yiit>gui.a.
irorke wLlcb Lave causesd Lui.dred* to inves-
tiirate more clo#.ejy the prr-iLLmptuous tenets
C'f bis reverend T>ersecut.ors..

'■ Since the lieformatJ<.ii. when men conld
dare to sjieak and acn m -re freely, unanswer-
able ar^-uments Lave beien pnblisLed aaralnst
tbe vaiiiiti" of the eo-calied sacred writinc-s of
CLrlKlan"ty. But instead of a fair rej>ly Laving
be^n grranted. or a fa.r oj>en dlsciis&on ti-ie-
rated hj tbe train^^d and T>aJd reli^^ious teach-
ers, misretiresentatioiis Lave been ]>rinted. de-
famatlv-n Las l»een used, jienaiiies Lave l>een
inflici^ei. and UK.kt containin.^r calm, reason-
aijltr arirun.ent airainist the CLrist'.an Bible —
not writtf-n und«rr tbe idiotic afiiatus 'if in-
*^3>'ra::on— have l>een systematicailly j-roiscril^ed.
t<> such an estent tlxat not <>De bf>okseJJeroat of
fJty wiii v-rnture to c«f cr th'^m fv-r hi^le. Few
indeej. dare to ojijxjse Christian ].r 'hibitJon
Protestant toleration in tlJs resjxx-t is strange-
ly suspicious : and its tx/asttd liberality sin-
gularly sj>urious and G>>.:-ej>tive."

■■ To s/jme eit.trm. I acknowledge that such
Las been tbe case." said Mr. Ca].>el. "" I Lave
often regretted that works i)ublishe'd against
Christianity were not allowed the priviieg»-
of as free circulation as tbe escelb-nt l«ooks of
Paley. Butler. Greifiry, and many fithrt^.
written in deft-iis^ of tbtr Bible. As far as I
can learn, such writing? are fully able to
c-junteract any publications against the Holy
.Scriptur>-s : candid inv^-stigation ought 10
miike truth more ap[iarent."

■'TbeD." continued Mr. Mannors. "why
du jiriests a.ssert so confidently ihat the writ-
ings and arguments of uiil>elievers are but
thvial and worthless, yet take such wonderful
j>aln.s to jfrevent their coming under the
n'tife of pious eyes? I will now ask you in
all fairne*ss. have ymi ever reai any f<f the
works written against the pretensions of the
Bible V Have y.iuev.-rread the- .4^<- t>f .R^/-
*'y/i,(iregs <'r€id of Chri^ttiaUjm. Hittel's ^'W-
dih^ds, the DUgfxiji, or any of tlie able wfirks
of De Weite, Strauss, Hume, Rev. Iktbert
Taylor. Kne land, and otht-rs".' You have no
doubt read several, if not all of the b<>>ks in
f'.vor of Chris:ianity : now have you reiul any
against that system '.'"

■' I liave not ; in fact. I have never seen one
of the biyihs yon mention."

" Then you can have no correct idea of the
o]j!('ctions wjiich have been urged Ity distin-
guii-h<-<l ])erson3 against your faith. You
have had merely the jiulpit,or tract, or ortho-
dox buries u*, or misrepresentation of the
statements made by jirnminent iml>elievers.''

" PerhajiS bo ; yet I scarcely think that re-

EXETER HALL.

> of toi lui-
> i>v<- dis-

e *Lf iiiie
Eiig-liiiid,

Ki eiiU-r &
But fron-
fciid fr<»m
T].-.r. came

c>u8 t'eiiri^

rLrn cv-ali
iiii.s».n?-wer-
-d ^^^^n^•:
frritings of
:)]t Laving
s«on t<.']e-
lvu« t«*cii-
.rinied. de-
Lave lieen
:ni. rt-ascm-
m Bibk' —
uUt 'if in-
pr'-isc'rilied,
^"ilcToatof
Uf. Few
iriLibitJon
i? « range-
era: it V ein-

tLat eucL
•• I Lave

<-d ag-aini-t

■ jriviieg''-

t IxXiks of

Hv ffibrt^.

far as I

able xo

tLt- Holv

ougLi to

• wLy
:be wriT-
are but
w.'iiderful
tef tbe
LS.K vdii in
uy of The
ii> t'f the
7< i'f R"t-
ttei's JE^r«-
le wfifks
. Kobert
Lave no
b<«iks> in
reiul any

' sii-en one

i-a of the
by distin-
1. You
iii-ortlio-
n of the
tliever?.'"
: thai re-

lipiotis ptTfv-)!!? -w.-iuid misrepivser-t t^ the
extent yoa imairine '"

■• As i\ wouid \«e inip.issWe for a« in a
limit-ed disc:ls^:on to do more ths.ii give a
panial ii»ve«tiiration. will you read any of the
den^'Uncvi bxiks, if I procure them fer youV
«said Mr. Mannors.

•• M' >s: certAinly ; I will readily do ?o. I
Lave no fear? in that respect.''

'■ I am glad to hear :lii< ; I will not fri^rhten
you at first." SAJd Mr. MannTs hu:n"rou>ily.
•• with either Paine or V.-,]:aire. or any other
such terrible name. I w;ll give you a «mall
work. a5 a commenceinent. which can not be
«urpa<'!^.-d for t:ie fair. ]'la;n. unpretending
manner in which it d^^is vith the Bible.'"
Here he opened a bcMk-ca^e. and haniid Mr.
Cai">el a small volume entitled. Greer's (>(,;f
<>f CIiriMtdidom. "You ■nin." cintinued he.
*• l>e pleased with the style in which it is writ-
ten ; ani afterward, if you desire. I will give
yoa otlier l>ooks whioii go more thoroughly
into the subject. And now. in return, if there
are any l"''jks in favor of Christianity which
you w.-uld wi-h ine to read. I shall do s>. and
by such means l* better able to come to a
more thorough conclusion."

■• This is Very fair," sai 1 Mr. Capel : " there
can be no objection to such a course. I have
one book whicli I will then ask you to Icxik
over — that is, Gregory's EcidiMis."

'■ Agree-d : I have already perused Paley
ani several others, it mav be that Gregory '
will offer something new. Ynn see. Lt'wever.
that neither Christianity, nor any other system
can force l>elief by denouncing free inquiry :
for, atthe present day, no prudi-nt or intelligent
man will scoff at the arguments of unbelief,
or ^>^k with contempt upon the r<.-liirious
opinions of Hume, Gibbon, c'lielley, Paine,
Fronde, B'-ntham, Carlyle. Joft'erstui, <Treijr.
Parker. Volney, Voltaire. Rousseau. Buff.in,
Comte, Spinoza, De' Wette, Taylor, Colenso.
and a host nf such others. Xeitrly all of the
persons I Lav.' named have written against
the receivf'd Did:,-' J/ispirifi-m of the Bible:
and it is )>o t evidence of justice to pronounce
an unlimited condemnatiim agninst their de-
liberatc^-^fini on?, or even against the opinions
of the multitude of cautious doubters, who
for want of moral courage still remain nomi-
nal Cliristians.

" We Will leave the subject for the present :
one day's calm perusal of the liooks we have
chost'u may be better than a week of discus- ^
sioii, We shall cotnpare nrites from time to ■
timi', and see what advance wo sliall have '
nuule toward the greaf luminary, truth, which
we l>oth desire to worship.'' \

During this his first conference with Mr. '
iManuors, the young preacher felt more in-
clined to listen than to speak : having never
liel'ort^ had an opportunity of discussion with '
an unludiever, he wished to elicit the loading
views of such an opponent. He was surprised
at the fairness and candor of Mr. Mannors :
and when they left the room together, to take
a walk along the plea-sant highway, the
prayer of Mr. Capel's heart was for light —
more liffht.

I CHAPTER XIL

Shortly after the stormy Bible meeting
which had taken place in the Baptist «.'hnrch,
the leading memb-.-rs of the congregation of
St. Andrews who were then pn^ent. and who
had Ix^en obligtsi to witness tlx' rudfUfss and
disc-'unesy which had btn^n maniftsttxi to Dr.
Buster onthat occasion, felt that sonie demon-
stration in his behalf was neces.s;iry. in order to
give a quiet relnike to th'.^e who l;ad en-
deavonHl to lessini that i^ttvmeii minister in
public estimation : as well as to s;itisfy that
devoted Christian that the rude trial to which
his faith and patience had Ix-en su!>;ect«^l only
served to endear him still more and mon^ to
his own |x-ople : and to prove to the world
that he was sujxrior to the low motives of
cunning aitd jealousy which h.id evidently
actuat<.^i the vulgar, uneducated aspirant.s of
other denominations.

A committiv of ladies was soon lonned. and
after various pn-liminary meetings an<l delibi^
rations, it was decidi\lthai. as a corres]>>nding
addition to the fascinating eye-glass wiili
which he had l>^n previor.sly presenttxl, a
su]XTb gold-headmi cane should now be
furnished the doctor. It would be a small but
significant token, or rather emblem, of the
staff he was to them, as wtdl as to assun.^ him
that he would find his numerous frietids united
like a pillar of strength in the day i^" trouble.

In fact. Dr. Buster had in many instances
received valuable testimonials <f such attach-
ment. He was a gittt\l individual, a moral
hero, a stickler for the pun^ c'alvinisiic d.x"trine.
who had won the esteem of ministers over
whom he presided, and through thetn. :is wtdl
as by other influences, he was exalted in tlie
eyes of the piHtple : so much so. that numy,
]>articvilarly the female members of tlie church,
never seemixl tinnl of lavishing favors and
distinctions upon him. all of %vhich the
worthy man rtveived with due and humble
acknowledgment. Indeed, so often and so rt^
freshing had these evidences been, that the
pious dixnor more than once I'eelingly stated,
that he was quite overcome by those unex-
pected and undeservixl pnxjfs of spiritual af-
fection. He would then reiterate his entire
un worthiness, and Ids utter inalality to do
any thing of himself: he would piously tell
them that liis sole reliance was uptut G*hI. in
whose mighty hand he was but a very weak
. ad unworthy instrument.

He might have thought so : the gifts how-
ever were not declined, but were gratefully
accepted, not of course for their intrinsic value,
but as mere rememornnces of how much his
weak efforts had been overratinl. They would
be incentives to fresh zeal in tlte cause of
orthodox principles, and would make hiiu
more anxious to advance the interests of the
true Calvinistic church. He could look around,
and see many of these presentations, but,
strange to stM-, he did not seem to value
them. There was more than one richly bound
Bible ; there were gilt-edged volumes from
the Fathers, and valuable works by varioua
religious authors ; and comprehensive and
learned commentaries, sufficient to enable him
to give some meaning to doubtful passages ;

EXETER HALL.

'■■■ •*

and miscellaneous gift-books piled up in such
profusion that tho worthy man had scarcely
more time to spare from his various duties
than nu-rely to fead tho presentation pafro,
where his own name was jjroudly con-
spicuous. Tlien there were scriptural subjects
on canvass, in rich, heavy frames ; there was
his massive gold watch, to nnnind him of
fleeting time, besides little articles of virtu
and chaste specimens of bijoutene, from pious,
individual, female friends ; but above all, there
was tlie splendid service of plate, presented to
him but a few months before he had been for-
saken by her who sliould have been his help-
mate ; on the principal piece of which his
name and worth had been inscribed, surround-
ed by a halo of flourish and ornamentation.
Tliis ricli sc^rvice was now, alas ! useless ; it
was laid aside. Was not his home desolate
enough ? Tlie glare of thy rich metal might
only serve to remind him, tho attlicted pastor,
of the vanities of life, and of what ho was
called upon to suffer in the cause of tho Gos-
pel. I

On this particular evening, however, the
Rev. Theopliilus Buster was very happy ; at
least, those who met him at the house of the
Rev. Mr. Campbell thought so. Since he had
been so unexpectedly deserted by his wife. Dr.
Buster never asked any person to his house.
It was now to him like a prison ; for appearance'
sake he merely lodged in it, and he took his
meals here and there, as most convenient, not
having yet decided on any particuljar place.
He could not let the glconx which surrounded
his late home affect his children; liehndthem
removed from its dreary influence, and proper-
ly cared for in another quarter. He could not
bear to hear them ask for the mother wIkj had
abandoned them; or even to mention her
name.

These were depressing circumstances ; but
when the reverend doctor was asked to n.-et
any friends at Mr. Campbt^ll's, lie endeavored t •>
join them with a smiling face, like an upright
Christian. He did not desire to obtrude his
sorrows upon others, and he generally succeed-
ed in making his visits very agreeable ; and
in making many — particularly pious ladies —
believe that his light affliction only served to
make his discourse more heavenly.

As usual, when the doctor was in the case,
a very numerous and sislcct party had as-
sembled at the Rev. Mr. Campbell's, and after
a most sumptuous repast, the presentation of
the gold-h(;aded cane was made by one of
tho most affluent and influential ladies of
the congregation of St. Andrew's ; and the
pretty speech which she read on the occasion,
referring to the great services of the revcn'end
moderator, and of his still greater trials —
delicately alluding to the peculiar domestic
aflliction under which he at present labored —
was rapturously a[)plauded.

In responding to this fresh evidence of their ;
regard, the learaed doctor, as usual, disclaim- 1
ed any merit in himself. He was duly sensible !
of his own unworthiness, and he was almost
unmanned by the gentle words spoken in
reference to his forlorn condition. No doubt
these trials have their good eff"ect8 ; th(>y en-
able the ministers of God the more fuUy to

alienate their afflictions from the things of this
world, and to devote themselves more freely
to the work of their Heavenly Master.

In connecticm with this subject the reverend
doctor reiterated Ins disinterested opirion
regarding the bestowal of costly gifts upon
the servants of the Lord. " Of what value,"
ho asked, "were such things to those who had
i renounced the world and its vanities'? How
much better it would be were the minister
forgotten, and the humble poor held in greater
remembrance." He felt it his duty to state
that, agreeable as it must be to any person to
receivi) such tokens of esteem, it would be to
him much more so, were tlu! money which
was lavished — he used this word empiiatical-
ly — to obtain costly articles, placed in his
hands for charitable purposes. Jle did not
care for these things. How grateful it would
be to him were he enabled by such means to
relitivo, to a greater extent, tho sutt'erings of
the uncomplaining poor which his daily visita-
tions had led him todiscover — suff"erings with
which he deeply sympathized, but whieh,
alas ! too often pained him to the very heart
to be unable to mitigate."

Such exi)ression8 from the reverend doctor
under the circumstances, could not fail to win
for him a still greater degree of considera-
tion. Such al)negation was a rare virtue ; it
Avas a triumphant refutation of the malicious
slanders that had been heaped upon tins -ex-
emplary man. And so great was his influence
at that moment, so great was their generous
imj)ulse toward him, that a single hint would
have sufficed to urge every lady present to fling
around his neck her rich gold chain and
jeweled lock(!t, as an offt'ring to his worth
and self-denial, and as a sacrifice on tho altar
of charity.

A few hours had thus been spent, and all pre-
sent were highly pleased and edified. It was
getting lati', and as Dr. Buster was as metho-
dical in his habits as he was pimctual in his
engagements, he signified this to his friends.
His dwelling was several streets distant from
Mr. Campbell's, and as he had an appoint-
nu'ut with a friend on his way home, ho
rt't'usod to allow any person to accomjuiny
liim. At his r('(iuost, the Rev. Mr. Campbell
offered up a parting i)rayer, and, at the con-
clusiun, the moderator never looked more in-
spired than he did, when with closed eyes and
Hpraiscid hands he devoutly gave the usual
benediction. And when he went away, it
seemed to many as if some pure spirit had
departed, and for some time afterward the
theme of tliose who remained rela„^d to his
piety, his virtue, and his suft'erings.

The night Avas dark when the doctor left
the house, and when he got a short distance
btiyond tho light that was flung out from the
windon-s of Mr. Campbell's residence, he hur-
ried on. It had just then commenced to rain,
not in a dripping shower, but it came in ])at-
tering drops like the regular precursors of
a do'.vn-pouring. The doctor increased his
steps, and walked faster and faster. He wore
a heavy cloak, and kept his face well nrnffled ;
he went along at a quick rate, and now com-
menced to nuitter to himself; and, in a little
time, tho words became almost distinct and

EXETER HALL.

audible. ITo walked on in th!« manner fnr
somo minutes ; it was now raininj; heavily,
and he Hiuldenly turned into an arched ])a8-
eajje throujjh wliieh a Htreet lamp, directly in
front, went HuHieient li^ht in make objects
dimly virtible. Hero the doctor ytoppcd ; ho
still mutter(!d, and then he drew tin; lumd-
pomo cane from under Iuh cloak, and held it
out at arm's leufjth before him. But stay,
hark ! What were the worus ho now uttered,
sufficiently loud, sharp, and distinct, to be
plainly heard V This person surely could not
be the reverend moderator : tliest* foul, jiassion-
ate words could not certainly have proceeded
from his lips.

He still held out the cane, and its polished
smoothness, and massive^ jrold carvinjf flashed
in the lamplljjht ; he looked at it as if every
moment he expected to S(« it become some
shininjnr reptih', or that he intended to Hinj? It
contemptuously against the rough wall, and
break it to picices.

" I say again, blast their stupidity! I have
told them time after tine that I did not care
for their baubles ; and the miserable dolts
fail to perceive that I ever want money. Hero
is this thing — fit only for a Regent street
dandy — put into my hand instead of — gold !
If I were to be exhibited like a wax figure at
Madame Tussaud's, this pretty piece of foppery
might help to set me off; but, my God! just
to think of the fools spending the money I
want so badly for the like of this — twenty
guineas ! My heavens, how provoking !"

He had now balanced the stick on his open
hand, and as he said these words he gave it a
smart toss in the air, and caught it in its
descent as he would a penny piece.

"Well, may confusion seize them! here's
tliat cursed note for ov«rr a hundred pounds to
be met in less than a week, and these finical
jades throw almost as much away for this as
would have eiuibled me to get a renewal.
Well, well, it is hard to appear content before
them ; I have a mind to sell this precious bit of
trumpery to the first Jew I meet, if I should
only get a third of its value."

lie paused a moment, and then muttered
again; the rain was falling fast: he looked
around, and pc^n-ed into the dim passage as if
he feared the presence of some person. For
a few minutes linger ho remained perfectly
still and thoughtful, with eyes bent steadily on
the ground ; he drcnv a Ioi\gl)reath, looked at
his watch, and again snid audibly, "Quarter
l)ast ten — they are waiting," and mutlling his
i'ace once more, he started down the dark
street seemingly indifferent to the drenching
rain, or the starless sky.

The doctor had scarcely left where ho had
stood when two persons stepijod from a door-
way that was at the dark end of the jiassagi',
and rushed forward to look after him. One was
Robert, who lived at IJampstead with Mr.
Mannors ; the other was a stranger, an
American relation of his, who had been only
a few days in England. Robert had come
dowa to the city to meet him, and show him
the sights of London, and here was ont^ — an
unex|)e(-t(xl scene — that made Robert himself
stare wit-1isuri)rise.

" ykcsered, l5ob, au'tyou?" asked the strang-
er humorously.

" Well, I'm blowed if that is'nt old Buster,"
said Robert. " I've seen him l)efore, and I've
heerd about him, the pn^cious hypocrite. He
beaut about for nothing ; he wants gold, does
he? I'll lay that chap is up to sumnuit. I say,
Sam, I'd just like to find «nit what that fellow
is about ; let's after him a bit, he's going our
way."

" All right — go ahead, steamboat — there
an't .0 time to talk, that ere man is streak-
ing It right through. I want to turn Jew, and
get that pretty stick o' liis'n ; but stop,
what's this '!" and he stooped and i)icked up a
folded i)aper from near the spot where Doctor
Buster had been standing, and taking it to the
light, read — " A. M. North street, near Jewish
cemetery " — " This is something o' his'n," said
he, handing Robert the paper; "just put that
away, it might come a kind o' handy after a
while."

Robert put the paper in his breast pocket,
and off they started. As they hurried along,
he gave his friend a little of what he knew of
the history of the reverend doctor, to whom they
were now paying such attention ; he was still
well ahead of them, and had be turned either
to the right or hift, he might have escaped
their curiosity altogether.

Robert's friend, whom he called Sara, was a
slightly built, wiry-looking young man ; ho
was a true Yankee, fond of adventure, was de-
lighted with this little chase, and like his
enterprising countrymen, he was determined
to -find the bottom of the well, and strike Ue
before he gave up.

They were gaining fast upon the doctor ; he
could now hear their steps, and he turned round
once or twice, which causqd them to come to
a dead halt, lest he should become suspicious.
He went on again, and turning down a lane to
his left disapi)eared ; and when they got to
the corner, and hjoked down the dark, narrow
street, the doctor was nowhere to be seen.
They stood irresolute for a short time.
Robert was for hurrying on, but his friend,
laying his hand on his arm quietly, said,
"Take it easy. Bob ; 'tan't no use crowding the
critter too hard ; he an't far, he's a looking
for gold, I reckon ; maybe he's got u little
Californy hereabouts : guess we'll fish him
out i)resently."

The third house from the corner of the
strei't was a small tavern ; the gas lamp over
the door dis.played the rather common sign of
the Simn run. The lights from within shone
brightly tlirough the windows, giving an ex-
hilVuiou of glasses, and painted kegs, and
casks, and rows of bright pewter mugs. There
were no lights to be seen in the houses close
by, and this led Robert to suspect that the
doctor had entered the tavern. There was
but one door in front, and they did not think
it best to go in for a while ; he might have
only taken a temporary refuge from the rain ;
ho was not likely to be known in such a place,
and if he did not come out soon, they might
then enter and see for themselves.

It was agreed that Robert should walk a
little way up the street, or lane, while Sam
remained ojiposite the tavern; a small porch
afforded a shelter for this purpose, and before
Robtirt started, he thought it best to look
closelji around the house. There was no one

EXETER HALL.

I. -• f.

to 1)0 soon mitsido ; the plare nt Ixpt was not
a noted tlior<m;>hraii', mid now, in tin; dnrk-
Hfss and rain, it had an nnnsiialiy dt'Scrtt'd
a]ii)fari\nc<>. He cautiously approaclird tlie
front window, ami saw a wonnm niixinjr Konic
thinfr in a few tiiini)lcrs. lit' went to thu sid((
of tlic lionsc ; thorc was a ])assay(^ from tin;
Ktri'ct to 11 baciv yard, and near tin- t-nd of
tlio liiiildiiifx tlirri' was a sido door, evidently
a ]»iivate eiit ranee. lie stepjied earefiilly
toward tin- first side window, a kind of red
screen covered the lower half; it was not
quite drawn across, and there was suHicient
sjiace for him to see tliree ])ersf)ns in a small
room. They were sittin;; at a table, on(! of
tliem witli his back to tin- window, and wlien
he spoke. Hobert thoujrht it was like the
voic(^ of the man tliey had heard solilo<iui/in{j
under the archway. In a little while the
speaker turned his side face, and Doctor Unster
was innnediately reco^rni/ed. IJobert at once
sijjnaled Sam, and they bolh stood outside,
and had a lair view d' v/hiit was going on
within.

In front of the doctor a ladylike person
was sitting ; she was dressed in black ; she
•wore a bonnet and cloak, as if ])re]mred for a
journey. The oth(;r ]ierson could be iilainly
seen ; he sat at an end of Ilit; table ; he ivas a
stout, low-sized nuvn, well dressed ; he was
partly bald on the front jiart of his head, his
hair and heavy whiskers were turnin<i: fjray;
there was an expression of cunnin<x ou his
face ; but alto<rether ln> looked respectable.'

Tlu-y wen; talkine; in a low voice, and al-
thou/jh Iiobert and his friend tSam listened
attentively, they conld nf)t hear a word ; the
conversation was mostly between Doctor Bus-
ter and the other gentleman.

The landlady now brought in a tray with
three tumbles holding some hot litpiid ; and
when the door was again closed i \ e conversa-
tion was resumed. -^

The gentleman who sat at the end of the
tahlo ap])eared very thoughtful, and stroked
his bushy whi.skers while he leaned back in
his chair and looked vacantly toward the
coiling. He sipped the contents of his tumbler
leisurely while the doctor was speaking. The
lady seemed to be a quiet listener ; she spoke a
few words once or twic(\ Robert watched
closely to try and discover who she was, but
a heavy dark vail hung over her face, com-
pletely hiding her features.

In a little time Doctor Buster stood up ; he
continued to address the gcnthmian who was
sitting; he was more excited, and soon spoke
sufficiently loud to permit the listeners outside
to hear ev(>ry word. " Now," said he, " I have
told you all ; had I allowed her to roam al>()ut
at large among all kinds of ])eople, shewonld
not only have circulated the most scandalous
reports against myself, but against every friend
I have. For over eight months, I have kept lier
(piietly confined, but this moderate n^straint
has only made her worse. She lias been well
treated, and I have made my house lik<! a pri-
son to keep her, if possible, from the poisonous
iniluence oi others ; but all to no purpose.
I have tried to n^claim her by argument,
by persuaf-ioii, and by other reasonable means ;
she will not be convinced, but blasphem?*

I under my very roof! ITow can T stand this ?

j If I reason with her, she not will listen ; and

] now she demands separatiim. she demands her

children, and she demands an estnblislnnent

I for herself, to teach them her own errors.

I.Inst think! she is bold enough to denounce

' th(! Bible, to scotl" at religion, and I found by

I inen^ chance that shts has bieii actually in

\ communication with a jierson lUimed Manners,

one of the most infamous characters in or

about Loudon, a wretch, who by all accounts

fears neither (lod nor nuin I"

As the (hictor spoke, he held out both hands,
and regularly emphasized his words by bring-
ing his shut list d(jwn upon his op.en ])alm;
and wiien lu; spoke of Mr. Mannors, he <lid so
with such extreme bitterness that Bobert
groaned with 8Ui)pressed indignaiion; and
the curse which he then mutt( red, like an
angry growl, is not fit to bt; recorde<l.

'•lean not," continued tlu; debtor, " stand
this any longer; she demands an establish-
ment for herself, and," said he, lowering liis
voice, and bending significantly toward the
individual he was addressing — " with your as-
sistance, I shall provide her one. Several ])ious
friends have told uu; that the woman is in-
sane. I have tried not to believe this, l;ut I be-
lieve so now ; she must be nuuie submissive,
if not to nu>, at leait to the (iospel ; and the
most influential mi.-s.'onary I'or lu'r case will
b(! found in an asylum. Now, Doctor Marks,
as a member of our church, 1 wish you to as-
sist me, I want you to see this unfortunate
w(nnan yourself. You will find hi-r just
what I have told you, and your certi^cate
will he sufficient to j)lace her where she
will be better cared for ; and," said lie,
with a peculiar smile, "she may at last find a
minister that may bring her to a sen.se of her
duty. This lady," ])ointing to the female be-
fore him, " is one of ourselvr-^ ; she btdongs to
Mr. Cumpell's congregation, and has been n
matron in a private asylum. She is satisfied
that there are synii)tonis of insanity ; I have
asked her to meet us here, and she can inform
you."'^

" Wo have seldom had many worse cases,"
she said ; " there is a peculiarity about this poor
lady that I don't know how to explain ; she is
no way violent, but is all for arguuient. Lor
bless you, no ont; could resist divine grace, and
say that rcdigion is a tkdusiou, and have a
scrand mind. She has d()ne tlii.s — and it is not
long since she was a church meiiiber ; a sud-
d(!n change like tliis ought to i)e conclusive.
Doctor Marks can see for himself."

The lady pronounced tin s(! last words with
a kind of selfsutHcient air, whii'h .she seemed
satisfied ought to settle the business.

" I admit," said Doctor Marks, trying to look

very devoutly impressed, " that the sudden

change of which you speak, from i)iety to ])ro-

fanity, is often a marked symptom of mental

clisi^ase. Her dei)lorable hallucination seems

^ to be, that the Bible is false ; as to her partial

j insanity, therefore, there can scarcely be a

I doubt ; the case, however, is rather singu-

! lar."

I " Yes,"paidDoctorBuster, "ith.asl)c«ngradu-
j ally coming to tliis ; she first commenced to
I rebuke me for preaching eternal puuisluueut ;

EXETER HALL.

then slin insisted that there muBt have been
inturpohitloiisor wroii}? translations ; then sha
disbelieved in Kcriptiiral inspiration; and at
last suddenly beeaine an f)pen del'i-nder of the
Secularists. Could I submit to this ? Could
youV

" Well," said Doctor Marks, " I see how it is.
If you are ready, wo will (jo, and in a short
time I will try what can be done ; as it is, I
am inclined to think that her nund isatT'eeteil."

Doctor Hurtter w(uit to the door, and spoke a
few words to the landlady, and in a little
time a vehicle from the back yard was heard
approachinjf ; it was a cab ; it stopped at the
front door, thnso persons entered it, then the
driver at once mounted his seat and drove
quickly away.

" By the 'tai'nal, T?ob, we came upon them a
kind o'sk^ek ; let's follow that crowd, there's
somethinjj up. We can keep alongside that
cab o' his'u better than trying to track them
afterward— wo can go it like a streak."

Robert, however, \vas ahead already. On
they ran, without saying a word, for sometime.
The rain had partly ceased, but heavy blasts
of cold wind swept along the deserted streets,
whisking into mist the pattering drops that fell
from projecting eaves, threatening rickety
sign-boards, and penetrating the^thin wretch-
ed cov(;ring of the homeless wanderers who
were then trying to find shelter. Wide and
narrow streets were ]>assed ; comers were
turned ; and gloomy looking houses seemed
to bo gliding further away into the darkness.
The night-watch as he peered from his
cover might not have wondered at the
rattling 8[)eed of the vehicle, but he no doubt
felt a degree of suspicion ujwn seeing two
persons, one at each side, following it up so
closely, and running through street-pools
with the most reckless indifference.

" Guess they're a going to hitch up here,"
said Sam, in a low, hurried voice and almost
out of breath, as the pace began to slacken,
and the horse's head was directed toward a row
of gloomy buildings in a quarttT of the city
that was not the best lighted ormost populous.
Near the centre of this row there were two
houses, older looking, and nearly a story
liigher than those on either side ; they had
a deserted appearance, and the vehicle was
brought to a full stop at the further house.
There was not a light to be seen ; the lower
windows were well secured by strong shut-
ters, while dark, heavy curtains prevented the
least ray from being noticed in the upper part
of the building. Three persons ascended the
stone steiis ; a l)ell was rung, the strong front
door was cautiously opened, and they ([uietly
entered, leaving the cab to remain as if it were
to be shortly required again.

CHAPTER XIIL

Since the rumored departure of Doctor Bus-
ter's wife, very few jiorsons had ever entered his
house. It was a desolate place ; in the princi-
pal apartments, the furniture was covered,
the mirrors and pictures were shrouded, and

already the rich rugs and carpets were fast
beconung damp. Almost every tlung in the
other rooms was bundled up and stowed away,
as if for an auction sale, wliile the kitchen
fire, though not actually put out, was merely
kejit alive ; and the savory odors that had
often ascended with appetizing qualitij-swero
now replaced by less fragrant fumes from the
homely fare of the solitary care-taker of the
premises.

There were two apartments, however, in
that lonesome house that were still used ; one
was the doctor's library and study, situated
on the first floor. Though lie visited this
place every day, it was not always to read, or
spend an hour in ndigious contemplation, but
often for the purpose of transacting business,
and to receive visits from a few ministerial
brethren and others, who were granted that
privilege. It was allowed to renuiin in a very
disorderly state ; b(K)k8 and jjapers w(;re lying
about, torn scraps of writing were scattered
here and there, and almost every thing else
was tossed and misplaced in the most negli-
gent manner ; and there were times, when, if
one could have entered this retreat, evidences
of the doctor's occasional i)artiality for a little
brandy and tobacco might be easily detected.

The other apartment was one that only the
doctor and one or two other persons ever
entered. It was a large upper room, old and
dilapidated, in the back part of the house ;
it was cold, bleak, and dimly lighted ; there
was but one small window at the end, through
which a gleam of sunlight never entered, and
which looked into a kind of yard ; and, al-
though this window was many feet from the
ground, yet it wasi secured on the outside by
iron bars, which were but a comparatively re-
cent i)recaution against burglars. There was
scarcely any thing to be seen in this room
frave a few things requisite for its solitary oc-
cupant. There were a small table and a little
wooden stool, and a wretched straw bed
spread out upon the floor in a corner. Close
l)y, there was a small closet, in which was
hung some patched and tattered articles of
clothing. It was a melancholy place tor one
to spend long nights and tedious days and
dreary months in, brooding in loneliness and
sorrow, and wishing for death, like the i)oor
forlorn creature — the victim of an arbitrary
priest — the prisoner of religious tyranny — who
was weeping away her life, recalling the sor-
rows and joys of the past, and thinking with
suspicious dread upon the bleak, bleak future.

She sat upon the hard bed in the black
darkness of the night, listening to the rain,
and to the wild wind that ripped up the loose,
fragile roof-slates and sent them flying into
the street. The window shook, and the thin
panes trembled as the cold blast rushed
through some crack or crevice into the
wretched chamber. She sat and listened to
the wild commotion of the night ; and the
wailing outside was in unison with her own
desponding thoughts. She wrung her thini
hands, and then placed them over her wan face
that was once so fair; her scanty brown hair
fell around her shoulders. It had lost i,ts ricb
luxuriance, and, already, threads of silvery hue,
wrought in through its darker folds by early

EXETER HALL.

prrief, could be traced, to corresiKind with the
lines of caru that were ])reniaturel7 and in-
delibly marked upon her brow.

She rose and knelt upon the straw pallet,
and raised her hands implorinjyly ; she re-
mained in this position for awhile, lieaving
heavy sijrhs, and strufijrling witli painful emo-
tion, and then exclaimed, "(J God ! O God !
why do I suffer thus ? What is to become of
my poor children ? What is to become of me?
I can not exist here much longer. Am I
never to see them again ? O dear, dear,
dear, the dreary Avinter I hav^ spent ! How I
v\s\\ my sorrow was buried fovever in the cold
grave !" And then, as she felt some sudden
pang, she pressed her hands over her flutter-
ing heart, and said, " I rvish it would break —
it will, it will, but not till I see them again ;
let it not bo until tl^en. O my poor chil-
dren !"

Once more she listened, as if waiting for
some friendly voice of sympathy to whisper
liope ; as If looking up for some kind hand to
lift her from out the dark, angry waves in
which she was struggling. The hoi tears
chased each otlier fast and faster down her
fevered cheeks, the storm-wind still reveled
in the dark night, and its wild and swelling
wail was the only response to the poor suffer-
er. Yet, strange to say, she paused to hear
the melancholy sounds more distinctly ; evcui
; at that lonely hour there was something sooth-
ing in them, something which ke])t her a
moment from thinking of her own grief. She
was not aliiiid ; those spirit-like wails show-
ered down no heavy curses mion her defense-
less head, like the dreadful mutterings o*' that
other voice which she too often had heard in
that very room.

While thus pitifully waiting — waiting for
something — for any thing — for the merest
symptom of day-dawn to her long night of
trouble — for the faintest ray of liglit, or hope,
to cheer away any of the dreadful gloom that
was around her like a thick, dark shroud, she
was startled by a low rap at the door. She held
her breath, her ears might have deceived h(>r,
she heard the rap again, but louder ; there
was a pause, and then a voice suM :

" Are voa awake, madam '!"

" Yes."

" I am Mrs. Pinklcy. I have a message for
you; a person wishes to see you, if you will
please to arise and dn;ss ; I will bring u light
and the key."

" I will, yes, certainly ; I will be ready in a
moment."

The sight of any hiunan being, sav(i one,
would now \m\ a welccnnt; intrusion ; ncnther
the lateness of the hour, nor the unusual time
for such a call, made any difference ; she
would sec one of her own sex ; she was
yearning to hear a wf)nian speak to her then,
no matter If even liuUfferent to her HuiltTings.

Sii(! had scarcely tiuKi to hurry on a few
things befon^ she heard the woinanV stej), and
saw a light stream in through the Uey-hole.
The door was o])en(Hl, and Mrs. riiikley en-
tered ; she had been there several tliin's be-
fore, and conscciuently was not like an entire
fltrangi-r. Tliough lookcnl upon with suspicion,
and many of the ungodly and uncharitable

were of opinion that her intimacy and dovoted-
ness in ccmnection with the jnous and cir-
cumspt'ct Doctor 13uster was not exactly ia
accordance with strict Presbyterian rule, she
was, however, one of the flo.'ik, a steady
church member, and in the eye of many of
the elect this was sufficient to cover a multi-
tude of sins.

" I am sorry to disturb you," she said,
placing the s^iall lamp upon the table, and
leisurely taking off h(^r bonnet. " I know it
is rather late ; but I will as.sist you to dress,
and to put things in a little order. A gentl©-
mai. below wishes to speak to you. O my !
don't start — It is not your husband, although
he will be here also ; the person I mean is his
friend, and — "

" Alas ! may be my enemy."

" Oh ! not an eneniy, by no means; he is a
friend ; yes, he comes at the request of your
husband. I think they wish to remove you
from this dull place," said she, bowing and
smiling ; " the change you will iind much
better — don't you think so? Indeed," said
she, looking around her, " this jdace is not fit
for you — not at all."

7'ho poor woman shuddered when she
heard this, at least when she heard that her
husband was coming. He never entered but to
threaten and reproach ; but then, thought she,
he will not be alone, he will not surejjp curse
or try to terrify mo before others. Still she
trembled ; and then suddenly, as If tlilnking
of her great wrongs, she looked up defiantly,
and said :

" Let lilm come ! he can do little more than
he has doncs already ; perhaps the sooner ho
strikes the fir.al blow the better."

"Omy! madam, don't talk so! Ho won't
Injure you, no indeed." Yet Mrs. Pinkley
was no way disconcerted ; she smiled, and was
very complaisant. She was a tall woman,
slight but well i)roi)ortioned ; she had dark
hail", a red face; there was something hard
and repulsive In her cold gray, wandering
(\ve, and her mouth was decidedly sensual.
Sh.' had (]nit(! a profcissional address, and, as
sill moved aoout.the touch of her cold, delicate
hand now iiiade the poor victim before her
shrink, as she would from the f;niooth, chilly
contact of a reptile, or as if she had felt thu
hand oi an ''xccut loner.

• I think, madam, we will do now" — sho
madt> a slight survey — " yes, we'/c ready," said
she, bowing, and graceiully backing toward
the door ; "I will just hint that we can see
them." And placing her soft wliite hand to
thn hide of her mouth, she gavr a jieculiar
cniigh, twice or thrice, and jiresently she
ushered in tlui two gcniienien with tho
stately ceren\ony of a duchess.

Doctor Buster entered lirst, with a heavy,
formidable stride, and, despite of her resolu-
tion, his enfeebled wife became nervous when
she saw his nuillcious IVowu, and she turned
her eyes away from the unfeeling determina-
tion that was concentrated in his ga/e.
Doctor Marks, who was tli(> other jierson,
advanced toward lier with the easy address
of a geiitlenuui, and very ]Kilit('ly said how
' much he regretted to be obliged to make a
' call at so unseasourble an lunir. " In fact,"

EXETER HALL.

he said, " lie was about to leave town, and lier
husband, who was anxious about the state of
her healtli, reciuested him to pay her a visit at
once." His manner was very insinuatin<^,
and his soft words seemed as harmless as the
prattle of an infant.

Slio heard these words ; they might have
given her confidence, but she lieeded not
the speaker. She became at once self-possessed,
and quietly folding her arms, sent a steady
look of scorn upon the scowling countenance
before li(!r. Slie seemed for the moment be-
reft of all fear or dread whatever, and totally
indilferent as to personal results.

" My husband — my health — did you say ?
Ila ! ha! my husband ! Yes, this is what an
arbitrary, unjust law may call him; tliis is
wliat our social barbarous conventionalism
may designate him — but to me, what is he ?
I know him to be my unfeeling tyrant, and
l)ersecutor, and ho may yet be my murcftjrer.
My health '! Here is a proof of his anxiety
for my condition," said she, spreading out
her hands, as if directing their observation to
the room ; and then she drew up her sleeve
and exhibited her attenuated arm. " Here I
have been the victim of his intolerance, and
in tliis place I have had terrible proof of his
pious attention and care for nearly a yea:'.
Wliile he has been preaching like an apostle,
and pmying for the souls of others, almost
unknown to the world he has been heartless-
ly persecuting my frail body in this prison.
My liealtli ! VVluit a mockery ! Did he care for
myhealth when he robbed me of my children,
and thrust me into this place ? I have been
treated like a criminal, and debarred liberty ;
ho now seeks to deprive me of my senses,
and it may bo that ho will yet take away my
very life."

She directed these last words with such
deliberation that tliey went stinging around
tlie reverend doctor's ears like tlie touch of
scorpions, and Ins Cliristian restraint became
HO impotent, that were it not for his own
actual bd'ety he would have annilulated her
witli one mighty l)low.

" Yes, strike," said she, " I too well know
the brutal fury of your passion ; l)ut I lear you
not— what do I care for life ? But even wiult!
it lasts — wliile I can still speak, I will tell
some one of your infamy; I have been silent
too long. If 1 can tell no others, these people;
shall hear of it. 1 will place you in their
l)ower — they may be yet witnesses against
you."

Mrs. Pinkley here became very much affect-
ed ; she was actually shocktid ; she found
some relief, however, in a pious ejaculation,
and muttensd some inanity about falling from
grace.

" I'ray, madam," said Doctor Marks, " do
not allow yoiirsi^lf to beconu; so excited ; your
liusband is anxious about you, and wo are here
tos.'.rve you, if possibh;."

" That is easily done. If he is anxious about
me, l(>t him give me my children and my
liberty ; let him cast me out ui)on tlut world
from this very place, and I sluvUneiid no other
physician. If you wish to serve me, if you
are hero as friends, tlien," said she.'loweriiig
her vt)ico to tenderness, " plead with him for

me — plead with him, kind friends ; let him
restore me to my little ones, and I will never
trouble him more. I will go away, far away,
where my name shall never bring him a re-
]iroach." She fell on her knees, and seized the
hands of Doctor Marks, and looked up to his
face most appealingly through lier tears,
" Oh ! do, good sir, pity me ; will you be my
fj-iend ? I am an afflicted woman who has been
sorely tried; bo my friend, lead me to my
children, and the sea shall divide me from that
man, and its trackless mountains shall remain
between us forever."

Doctor Marks had a heart, it was touched
by this natural appeal, he felt embarrassed,
and he gently raised the weeping woman, and
made her sit on the low stool ; while Mrs.
Pinkley affected to require an sTrlication of
her handkerchief, to keep hw\ i'u;s which
were yet frozen.

" Woman," said Doctor I? ^tei, tr d „• to
suppress liis rage, "woman, u^ sile-'t, if you
have any reason left. You shall never litter
blasph«;mies in your children's ears ; tliey
would only live to curse you for blighting
their hopes of eternity."

'• Reason ! That is what you liavo always
denounced ; it is because you have despised
that noble faculty that I am here now.
" Friends," said she, addressing the other
persons, " were it not for reason, I might have
been, as he is, a shining light in tlie church. I
might havo still been a believer in that inspir-
(>d revelation that has made him so chaste, so
forgiving, and so exemplary. I might have
remained a priestly instruiuent to disseminate
what I now believe to be error. My rea.-^on re-
belled against a doctrine that would depict a
divine Being to be as cold, us iieartless, and as
revengeful as that man before you. I could
not believe in the eternal punishment which
ho preached, and which he would relentlessly
practice upon me."

" Wrettdi ! what mercy can you expect either
fi'om God or man after uttering such impious
sentiments? you shall have none from mo 1
If your boasted reason has led you to this state
of degradation, if it has lo.l you to trample
upon Christian truth, tlien, by Heavens ! it
must load you out of this to a place where it
may be beitiT cultivated. I will not foul my
hands any longer with your L'prous carcass ;
])repare and leave this house, and may your
days be si)ent in weeping, and your nights lie
as woeful as the terrors of the damned !" As
he said this, the shadow of liis rai!*"d list could
be s(!en like a death's head on the opposite
wall.

Doctor Marks stood almost api)al1ed wlieu
he heard these imprecations ; Doctor Buster's
fa(!e was livid with rage ; lie looked irion* like
a ferocious maniac than a human being, a-ul
at the iiKJinent he was more* fitted to l)ecomo
the shackled inmate of a ma-i-hoiise than tho
awe-struck woman whom h('(lenounc(>d. Even
Mrs. Pinkley, trained and accustomed as slia
had biH'u to scenes of nproar and confusion in
such places, became fearful. She could feel
collected and indiU'erent when she heard (lie
ravings of a disonh-red intellect in an asylum,
but siie could not witness this wild ungovern-
able fury of u sane man, and hp too one of the

\4 ■ s

^'^

^■

EXETER HALL.

ll !»•«■»

11 *.!HI

ir::!;

1%^

114:

■■*.r

called and ordained preachers of the Gospel,
•without a shudder. Yet slie could excuse
this excess of zeal on the part of the modera-
tor. Tiie determined contumacy of a self-opini-
onated woman was very provoking ; he was
a preacher of truth, and Mrs. Pinkley, as long
as Gotl spared her, would be always an hum-
ble iipholder of that principle.

She followed the reverend doctor from the
room. She no doubt thouglit it her duty to try
and soothe away his anguish; his passion was
too great to allow him to remain with safety
in the presence of her whom he detested. His
anger might have led him to commit some
act of violence which would cause publicity,
and this he dreaded more than any other
result. Doctor Marks felt .relieved when he
saw him leave the wretched chamber and its
helpless inmate ; she, poor unfortunate ! was
weeping, and her pitiful sobs were an irresisti-
ble appeal to his better nature. He was, how-
ever, strictly orthodox, and was ready to doubt
the sanity of any pi^rson who professed to disbe-
lieve even themostmythicalstory of the Bible,
but he could not persecute. The insight he had
just obtained of the moderator's character and
motives did not exalt the latter in his estima-
tion, and as he had been requested to como
there for a professional purpose he now prompt-
ly decided how it was best to act under tlie
circumstances.

Mrs. Pinkloy's returning steps could be
lieard ; there was not a moment to spare. — He
hurriedly whispered, " Leave this i)lace, sub-
mit for the present, and I will see what can
be done for you."

It was long past midnight when the cab
drove quickly away with Mrs, Pinkley, and
the doctor's wife, and a coarse-iooking man,
in whose pockets something like keys, or
liandcnfFs rattled as ho entered the v(.'lufle.
In a short time afterward. Doctor Marks and
the moderator left the desolate house. They
were seen by Robert and Sam, making their
way along the dark s|)hishy streets through
the wind and rain, and it was with a fbcsling
(if disappointment that these watcher.s had to
r<.-tire for the niglit without being able to do
more then than avow their determination to
make a discovery as soon as possible.

.'T",

CHAPTER XIV.

The red lion which hung outside the
tavern bearing that name could scarcely be
H'cu next morning throngli the heavy fog
wliich enveloped every object. Masts on tlx*
Tluimes, huge buildings, royal and ciiiscopal
jialaccH, and ambitious steeples were but dim-
ly visible, and iiedestrians as they hurried on
occuHionally jostled eacli other in a very uncere-
mo'iious manner. The red lion, crowned and
rampant as he lookfnl in the briglit sunsliine,
now appeared rather subdued ; and tlie large
drops which accumulated on his bron/ed si(l<'s
fell with patt(.'ring sound on the ])avcinent,
being occusionally intercepted iiy the heads,
great and snuill, of early strei't itloddcrs. The
goftd-nntuivd landlord sat smoking a long clay
pip^' near tlie tap-njom door, anil as he now

and then looked up with pride at the dripping
representative of his house, ho had often to
smile at the manner in which the said lion
administered spiritless drops, so diflerent from
the more reviving ones contained in the circle
of bellied and painted kegs which stood around
h'm, like sturdy little bacchanalians awaiting
his orders.

The Red Lion tavern was one of the oldest
established places : " its kind in London. Gen-
eration after generation had crossed its thresh-
old, stood on its sanded fli)or, and had par-
taken of the generous cheer for which it was
famed. Even up to this period, it had kept
pace with the times, and its good ale and
tender-loins could not be suqiassed within the
bounds of that old city. It was a peculiar re-
sort ; although generally frequented by the
middle, or rather by the intelligent tradijig
and^working classes, yet authors, professors,
and occasionally a stray waif of nobility, might
be seen to enter. For the tradition's of the
houso had it, that more than once, at irregular
intervals of relaxation or revelry, the highest
in the land drank in its cozy parlor, and
looked on the Thames through the diamond
panes of its great bay window. And good John
Hollis, th(! present landlord, would point with
pride to the stout arm-chair Avhich held the
last scion of royalty that honored his house ;
and it would l>e a favor indeed, were you per-
mitted to drink out of the " King's cup," a cut
and flowered glass tumbler, which more than
once had touched the lips of a certain Prince
Regent, who had afterward become '.*The
Lord's anointed " as " George the Fourth."

To a person of leisure, who wished to hear
the news of the day, or make short excursions
through the city from a central point, the Red
liion was the spot. Not only was it well sup-
plied Avith city and provincial papers, but it
could boast of an excellent library, which was
enlarged from time to time by gifts of rare and
scientilic books from its generous patrons. And
works treating on the merits of the state
church, and popular theology, which were pro-
scribed from the shelves of respectable Chris-
tian booksellers, could here be found to satisfy
the curious, stimulate investigation, and ex-
pose pretension. Adjoining tlu) library was a
large room in whii.'h giu'sts could meet ; and
frieiuUy discussion, mostly on iiolitics and n'li-
gion, might be often heard from an early hour
in the atternoon until late at ii'ght.

Close to a front window in that room,
and looking deuiundy into the fog that half
hid the ranqmnt lion, sat Samuel Styles;
he was thinking of the events of the ])ast
night, and si-ciued in monu-ntary doubt and
confusion as to tlu' i-eality of the dreary in-
cidents of that pcM'iod. And though he knew
but little as yet either of the truth or falsehood
of what he had heard Dr. Ihister relate concern-
ing his wife, still he was strongly susjiicious
that all was not right. From the moment ho
laid eyes on the reverend doctor, he took an
instinct ivedislik(^ to him ; he had not yet seen
Mr. Mannois, whom Robert held in such
estc' Ml ; but he heard him alluded to iiMlieiiig
an "inl^unous character," and he hiid also
heiird l>r. Huster r.ttribnte insnnity to his own
wife, on account of her religious opinions, and

po^-

circi

stud

ofd

Yu,

dish

gem

Gos

grei

tioii

and

the

f UK

Ids
wa>j

BUlil

WHf^

trav

hge

<nil

for

fror

cert

EXETER HALL.

Iripping
often to
'aid lion
eiit from
lie circle
[1 around
xwaiting

le oldest
)n. Gen-
8 tliresli-
had par-
li it waa
lad kept

alo and
ithin the
culiar re-
1 by the

tradijig
rott'SsorB,
,y, niifrht
18 of the
irregular

highest
rlor, and
diamond
^ood John
oint with

held the
is house ;
! you por-
up," a cut
iiore than
in Prince
uio '.»The
turth."
■d to hear
'xcnrsions
t, the Red
well sup-
ers, but it
vhich waa
if rare and
rons. And
the state
were pro-
hie Chris-

1 to satisfy
1, and ex-
rnry was a
Uf'ot ; and
8 and reli-
oarly hour

liat room,
that half
!•; styles;

till! ]iast
Uinht and
dreary in-

lie knew
r falsehood
teconci'rn-

HUS|iicioll8

iioment he
e took an
»t yet seen
I in such
to iiMlu'iiig
hiid also
to Ills own
iiii.iUH, and

threaten her with an asylum. And now, as he
believed that threat had been carried into
effect, it forcibly reminded him of a similar case
of persecution that had lately been exposed in
his own country.* lie felt a glow of indigna-
tion, and as he was an ardent lover of fair
play, and had time and means at his disposal,
he determined to see justice done, and if pos-
sible rescue an opprei^sed woman from the
clutches of an unfeeling pri(!st and sanctimo-
nious tyrant. lie made up his mind that
when Robert called that day, to go with him
to Mr. Alaunors, and i-eveal all to him ; then,
after a >udden thought, he snatched at his
pocket and drew from it the i)ai)er which fell
from the hands of the reverend moderator
under the archway, and which Robert had
picked ui>.

Samuel Styles, or rather as he chose to call
hijnself " Sam Styles," was an enthusiastic na-
tive American, as proud of his country and of
the " glorious Stars and Stripes," as ever Briton
was of the Red Cross or Union Jack, lie was,
according to his own account, " raised" on a
farm iu Pennsylvania, and having lost his
parents at an early age, entered a priuting-
otlice in Philadelphia, wliere he remained for
two or three years. He was very sober and
industrious ; and during one of the great reli-
gious excitements which periodically occur in
that city of gospel palaces and celestial ambas-
sadors, he got converted and joined the church,
and being estci^med for his sincerity and zeal,
was appointed a tract distributor ; his district
in the city being varied occasionally from the
streets known as —

" Chestnut, Waluut, Spruce, and Pine,

Mulberry, Cherry, Kace, and Vine."

Having proved faithful in this respect, he
was afterward called upon by a wealthy
evnngi'lical society to fill the more important
pos' 1 Ion of c()li)orteur, at a fair salary, and sent
to dispos(! of Bibles, and Testaments, and to
circulate other i' liglous books in the country.
In this capacity, ae visited several jjlaces and
stu(ll(.'d the elfects of religion upon the minds
of different classes, from the slow ' ahorujiiiea "
(I Cape May to the more enterprising and
ill Uigent natives of Pennsylvania and New-
Yoi And whether it was that he became
diss isfied with his own elt'orls, or that the
general ideas of those must wedded to the
(rospel were not sulhciiintly liberal and pro-
gressive, he grew discontented with his voca-
tion and resigned. And while he left Moses
and till' i)rophets to grope their way auKiiig
the uuregcnerate as best they could, he, being
fund of ailventure, coinineiiced business "on
his (twn hoolv" luid traveltid with horse and
wagon from State, to State, as th(^ vender of
email wares and fancy articles. After a time
he became a (h)iil)i' t in matters of faith; he
was surprised In tiud, that wherever he
traveled, a large majorUy of the most iiitel-
lig(!nt ])ersons were skeptii-s or downright
iiiibelievers, and hiiving fimud a great demand
for those liberal bo(»ksr<o regularly di'nouiiced
from the pulpit, nnd so formally condemned by
certain leaihns of the preus, lie added them to

• Mr« Packard's, of Illinoli.

his stock, and became an active agent for the
circulation of secular and spiritual journals.
For so doing, he met with many reproofs,
received some insults, and was more than once
threatened by respectable church-members
with personal injury. But Samuel Styles was
not the man to be intimidated, and while
governed by his own free thoughts, he would
come to no decision on any question of impor-
tance until he had heard both sides ; and now,
being as strong in his opposition to the popu-
lar faith as he was truly sincere while a be-
liever, he felt it his duty to try and counter-
act that which he had once striven to propa-
gate. Like most of his countrymen, he was a
great reader ; but not of the trashy, sixpenny
literature — as greedily devoured in the United
States as pea-nuts or painted candy ; he was
well informed on general subjects, great on
statistics, and in argument was prepared to
defend his position with obstinacy. When
asked for the cause of his apostasy, he would
state that the prevailing cupidity of Gos|)el
ministers, who claimed and received exorbi-
tant salaries, was the first matter which caused
him to reflect. While a boy, forced like
others to attend a Sunday-school, and wearied
with the endless routine of texts and cate-
chism, hymns and prayers, none of which he
could truly understand, a minister would at-
tend at Slated periods, and after having given a
lecture, would make the application result iu
forcing the boys to give, as a voluntary con-
tribution, the few i)enc(! they might have
accumulated as pocket-money.* Thus after
he had grown up and joined the church, he
found one great systematic method for colle<r-
tion. Cash was reipiired for the minister's
fund, for a church fund, for a building fund,
for a missionary fund, and for a superannuat-
ed fund. There was a fund for Bibles, and a
fund for tracts, a fund for special matters, and
one for general purposes ; and it sinmied to
him like one concerted shout from ])ulpit and
platform, of " give, give, give, eternally give."
And the rich gave of tluur wealth, and the
poor of their poverty ; and still the reverend
))ensioner8 cried for more, until tlu^y made
Christianity, in this respect, the most oppres-
sivi^ and expensive system in the world.

Then in the churches were held tea-raeet-
ings and soirees, fairs and festivals, pious lot-

* In {renonil, children are very reluctant to attend
Sundiiy-scliools, and still more so to j^ive uj) tiicir
sc'aiity"sui)i)ly of i)ocket-inoney ; but by tlie |)i'cnii;ir
l)n!Hsiire iil' tlie *' voluntary " system, tlie money i*
()l)tained, as niiiy l)e inierred tVoiu Uio I'ollowiiiL,' i)ai-a-
Sirnph talveu from a Philadelpliia i)ai)er of Sold. 2j,
IWiti :

"A MissioNAiiY Vesskl.— On Saturdnylast. at Hos-

ton. a vessel ealled tlio Moniiiit: Star was liiiiiuln!d

i ill tlie prescnee of ,5000 si)ectators. She cosi f2!l.0(H),

and was paid lor entirely from the ( (nitribtitioiis of

I Sunday-sehool ehildrcn in about WM) Suiiday-sel.oolu

I in (lillenmf, parts of the world. 'I'lii- vessel is lo ' y

lltted out. bv the Missionary Hoard at IIoMolulii in ilie

Saiidwieh Islands, and is lo be eii^,'aL;ed wholly in

I missionary work."

I Who can liclieve that "Sunday-scliool clilldrefi" ever

] deliberately planned this unwise expciidiliiiu in their

.anxiety for the conversion of Honolulu licalheii?

1 This i)i-iestly sehenn' produced the desii'ed cxi'itement,

liowever; liv(' ibcus.iiid wiljiessed the (liflplay--lhiil

waste for IJonoliilu ; \\liile l"lie jjriesls have LTood re.i-

Bon to believe that, in the winter, neeessiiy may drivu

more than live iboiisMud of the IJoston poor shiverin;;

to their hard Dcdu.— Author,

.1 M

EXETER HALL.

•nf'

•:,^

1^)" lii>r

f • .Ji

teries and religious revels, in which fushion
and flirtation liad full sway ; •\vhoro minis-
terial potentates, who lorded it over the reason
and consciences of their adherents, were noted
for making a peculiar distinction between
those who had much to give and those who
had not ; and where the ])riest, who formally
preached humility and the vanity of wealth,
was too often worshiped as the god of the
temple, ever ready to receive the rich gifts of
Lis votaries. Samuel Styles saw these things,
and found that Christianity instead of being,
as it strangely claimed to be, a despised thing,
was in fact a haughty power, pampered by
rulers, and regal in wealth ; an authority that
could exalt, or depose, or persecute.

But what of the Bible, once the idol of his
soul, the centre of his hopes and aspirations,
revered and worslii^ied by millions trained
to its belief? A book, or collection, by whom
written, or when, or where, none could deter-
mine ; teeming with contradictions and absur-
dities ; in conflict with science, reason, and
liumanity ; a fearful record of crime, lust, and
brutality ; depicting a divine Being as govern-
ed by the basest of human passions, full of
wrath, and hurling destruction on the fallible
beings Avhom ho had created. A horde of
sects professed to be guided by its maxims,
and these have been notably exhibited in
mutual persecution ; and, like the Bible, al-
most every page of their acts and records is
sprinkled witli blood.

These discoveries were painful, and sugges-
tive of deep reflection ; then followed a strict
investigation, and, like many others who have
yielded reluctantly to conviction, Samuel
Styles at last becanuj an unbeliever.

After a time, and, contrary to the predictions
of many of the faithful, his circumstances bo-
came much improved. He had a genius for
invention, and succeeded in obtaining a patent
for two or three very dib^irailar articles, the
sale of which ])laced him in a good position.
By his straightforward intercourse among the
people, he earned a good reputation ; and
though many doubted his orthodoxy, yet no
one doubted his word. lie was intelligi'ut,
humorous, and communicative, and in his fre-
quent sojourninga was u weli;ome visitor to
many a rural homestead. And it often hap-
pened that while trading among settlers in
the far West, he was entertained at the same
board with tlie traveling preacher, whom ho
generally managed to draw into a friendly
discussion — thus, as he said, "casting his bread
upon the waters." When the rebellion broke
out, he joined the Union army, was wounded
at i.Ianassas, and after having remained in
Ivospital for a long jjcriod, his health being
much impiiired, was honorably discharged.

For his restoration, he decided to risk a sea-
voyagi!. In his younger days, on the "glori-
ous Fourth of July" he hud heard declama-
tory onilions agiiiust Britain, but he could re
Hist l)re■^u(^u•e ; lie kncv/ that she was a mo-
ther of nations, th(> parent of his own, and the
progenitor oi' Furo|)('an lilxn-ty. And though,
as a rei)ul)lican, he believed that that great
country was terril.Iy blighted by ils roval
goviTuniiiit and state church, yet he syni'pa-
tliized with the pluck and froo spirit of its

common people — the true nobility of the hind.
After due preparation, he left New York for
" the birthplace of his grandfather ; " and
the only relation he as yet found was liobert,
his cousin.

Samuel still stood at the window of the
Red Lion tavern looking intently at the paper
he had drawn from his pocket, and cs he gazed
at the cramped words, they seemed to move
about and arrange themselves into curious
forms. He saw the fierce features of iJoctor
Buster, then the outline of a pleading woman,
then again they changed to the shape of a
heavy-barred window ; and while trying to
peer into the darkness of a cell, and just as he
imagined he could discern some dim, wither-
ing form in its depths, the words resumed
their places, and he again read " A. M. North
street, near Jewish cemetery."

" Darn me if that an't strange ; if my oy§8
were spirit mediums, they could not have
changed that writing better ; all there ! bars
and bolts and Doctor Buster to boot." He
turned the paper, looked at both sides, then
held it from him, and then aside, as if it were
a veil or screen which hid some object from
his view. " Yes, these are the words, words
that may give me a clew. I'll try and un-
ravel them, and if I have to hover about the
Jewish cemetery as a medium or resurrection-
ist, I may disentomb some critter either dead
or alive. I'll try hard, and if the great doctor
feels spiritually inclined, and calls upon mo, I'll
answer that call with such a rap as will make
him feel like being in the very centre and em-
brace of a corkscrew thunderbolt."

Having thus soliloijuized, and while leisure-
ly folding the paper, his attention was called
by shouts and hooting almost immediately
across the street. He could just distinguish
a number of persons outside a shop door ; a
carter was unloading some pieces of furniture,
and two or three piTsons in otticial costume,'
like policemen, were superintending the de-
livery. A motley gathering stood around, and
as ])iece after piece was shoved into the build-
ing, the jabbering crowd gave a shout, and one
voice louder than the rest cried out,

" Och ! huccess to tluj 'stablishmint, divil a
scrimmage we'd have on the ould sod at all
'it all widout it ; sure, it keeps the boys bu.sy ;
and the ]'arsons, and peelers, and hangmen
makes a fine livin out of it." Then there was
a loud laugh, another shout, and the pestered
oflicials, who really api)eared ushanuMl of their
work, made a show of threats. Then the voice
cried again,

" Arrah ! that's right, nu\ke the Imythins be-
have themselves, keep away wid ye, sell 'em
out bed and blanket ; sure, the divil must have
his due." Shouts and laughter again fol-
lowed, and there were more threats; but it
was all in vain, big and little remained, and
save the jeering and occasional shout, no inter-
ference was ollered. The furniture was stow-
eil away, the nior*; orderly of tlu; nsseinblago
had entered the shop, and Sam, l^iaving his
curif)Kity excited, cros.'^ed tlu; stneeji to see
what was going on. He looked in from tlie
doorsti'p, and near a corner, close to where
some hou.sehold articles were piled, he saw
five or six members of the society of Friends,

EXETER HALL.

commonly called " Quakers." There they
stood, with the utmost gravity and decorum,
and the majority of those inside seemed to
regard them with deference. Some proceed-
ing was about to take place in which an
interest was manifested, and while many out-
side were vehemently discoursing, the expres-
sions, " national church," and " national curse, "
could be heard most often ; those within kept
tolerably still. In a few minutes, a kind of
beadle or tithing-man stepped upon a platform.
Hp "-as a stout, coarse-looking fellow, evidently
weii adapted for his business ; he leisurely took
from his pocket a paper, and having spread it
before him on a desk, glanced first at the at-
tendant Friends in the corner, and then with
stolid indifference at the upturned faces of
those around him. After a preliuiinary cough,
ho lifted the document, which was a kind of
distress warrant or execution for tlie non-pay-
ment of church rates, and said, " I have hero
authority from the church wardens of this
parish to offer for sale at public auction t'l"^
goods and chattels of Mary Wilkins and
others, for the non-payment of lawful rates
due to the reverend rector ; and now unless
the cash is paid, Avith costs, forthwith, I shall
commence. Well, what do you say ?"

He paused, there was no reply ; but a heavy
Bob was heard from one poor woman who
with bent head stood clutching the handle of
a little trunk which was placed on a table be-
fore her.

" I don't want to be in haste ; I'll just give
you five minutes to think," said he, chucking
out his big silver watch, " five minutes to pay
the legal dues of the church."

He then coolly stuck his thumbs in the arm-
holes of his waistcoat, and began to whistle
to himself unceremoniously while he kspt time
with his foot on the platform.

" Friend, thee need not delay on our account.
We do not recognize tliy claim to be just ; we
neither enter tlu! church nor hear the parson ;
therefore we have no right to pay. Thee must
enforce thy unjust tax ; the society of Friends
in England will never submit to thy legal ex-
tortion. Thee hast seized, and thee may sell."

" Bravo !" cried one : and a murmur of ap-
probation was heard around. The beadle was
getting nettled, and hastily replied : " Oh ! you
broad-l)rimmed chaps are very particular, very
conscientious. The church is there for you,
and if Quakers won't go near it, that's their
own fault. If you want to go to heaven your
own way, why, then you must pay for it. If
you arc so chock full of tlio Gospel as to resist
the law year after year, the same law will just
as surely prosecuti\" A hiss could now be
hoard over the place. A i)oliceman called out,
" Order 1" and the irritaic>d b(!adle, with a " Here
goes 1" snatched up the little trunk, and placed
it on a stand before him.

"I have here," said he, looking at his war-
rant. " a claim against Mary Wilkins of one
sliilling and eight-pence for church rates, and
half a crown for costs ; giv(> me a bid for this,"
and he tossed al)out the trunk, making its con-
tents rnttle. It was locked, and he ajji^lied his
big thunil) to the hasp to try if it would give
way. " How much for this? SIh! has the key,
and won't let us see the contents. I'll lay

there's something good in it," said he, with a
chuckle, and giving a peculiar wink at one of
the policeman. " What do you say fo'- this
trunk and its contents, no matter if it holds
Bank of England notes ?"

" Indeed," said the sobbing woman, turn-
ing a pleading look toward the audience,
" there's nothing in it but my dead boy's
clothes, some of his school-books, and other
things of no value to any one now but my-
self. He made that little trunk for me, and it's
all I have belonging to him." She was a
widow, and had lost her only child.

" Come, give mo a bid ; how much for this
— clothes, books, bank-notes and all ?"

Yet no bid came, the suppressed feelings of
all present scarcely let a sound louder than a
whisper be heard; and as the poor Avoman stood
silently weeping, with head still bent and her
hands upon her face, even the rough crowd
turned toward her many a pitying eye, some
of which were already brimful of tears.

" Can I hear no bid, not one bid for this ?
then if you don't, I shall have to give one
myself. Forbes," said he, turning to one of
the policemen, " can't you do something for
the church ? Just start this."

The man thus appealed to only shook hia
head, as if his heart and emotions were all
the other Avay. There was another pause, the
beadle looked perplexed ; the woman stood
close by, and her sobbing was heard, as if her
sobs alone could now sufficiently plead her
case, or protest against the wrong.

" I will give thee a bid for that poor wo-
man," said one of the Friends, moving toward
the beadle.

" No, you don't, I guess," said a strange voice ;
the people turned around, and Samuel Styles
was seen elbowing his Avay manfully through
the crowd ; he soon reached the desk, and lay-
ing hold of the little trunk, and giving a comi-
cal look at the beadle, said, " Well, old stingo,
Avhat do you want for this ?"

The act was performed so quickly and with
such nonchalance, that the beadh; himself stood
looking in gaping wonder at this assurance,
and the aft'air had such a ridiculous aspect
that the general laugh which followed almost
completely disconcerted the church official.

" Give you a dollar ; guess that's about
right, an't it, eh ? "

I don't know any thing about your Yan-
kee dollars," said the beadle, now plucking
up, having discovered his man ; " if you say
a British crown, and no other bid, 'tis yours ."'

" Can't .give you a Yankee one anyhow ;
guess we lum't got such trinkets on the other
side of the mill-pond ; if there Avas tewer
crowns round these diggins, there might bo-
more money, and pour occupation avouUI bo
gone, NoAV an't that strange '{"

The gruff beadle Avas in no mood for argu-
ment ; no other bid AA'as giv(>n, and Sam be-
came tho purchaser of the little trunk for a
"crown." He immediately restored the poor
Avoman her property ; she was full of grat(!ful
expressions, and the audienci! npplauded so>
loudly that the crowd greatly increased, and
thos.i Avho passed along the street Avondered.
at the sudden acclamation.

Order being restored, the sale again com-

[ll

EXETER HALL,

"■•■'*

: .Hi'.-.

' ■, ,5-

menced ; ono hy one of tho pfoods nnd chat
tela ot the Friends waa thi;n put uj), but (quick-
ly purcluised by their owners tor just sufficient
to pay the clerical or parochial demand aj^ainst
th(;m. The society of Friends have ev«>r re-
sisted, and still continue to resist the iniqui-
tous claim for tithes or church rates, and the
annual formality of such a conscientious pro-
test is still to be witnessed, and still the pious
and legal atrocity is as regularly consummated
in free old England.

Samuel Styles had now witnessed one eflect
of the practical workings of tho British State
Church ; a degrading instance of clerical ex-
tortion and rapacity. lie felt the most litter
disgust at such a vile resort to plunder a com-
munity, and he was amazed to think that the
intelligence, civilization, and freedom of that
great country should, at tho present day, sub-
mit to such infamous oppression. But he did
not consider at the time how the masses in
Britain have struggled against i)riestly power,
or how the great minds of the nation have
declaimed against such usurpation. He did
not then remember that that terrible incubus
on the resources of the country — tho State
Church — was shleldetl by a royal and aristo-
cratic influence which was almost absolute ; and
that that influence, by its potency and wealth,
still controlled Parliament ; still thrust its
mercenary bishops in the House of Lords ; and
still degraded British legislation before the
■world, by leaving unrepealed among its sta-
tutes authority for ecclesiastical monopoly,
a code of laws partial, arbitrary, and unjust.*

Dwelling on these things, ho wandered
moodily along tho street, and crossed Water-
loo bridge with the intention of going to
Hampstead. Ho went on, and soon found him-
self in front of a large brick building, before
■which a number of stylish vehicles wer*!
drawn up. It was Exeter Hall ; scmie one of
its great public meetings was in progress;
people Avere yet going in, and he felt half dis-
posed to follow. For many years he had
heard of this great arena wdierc lib(>rty had
been proclainu-d to many, but where others
were drawn into bondage ; where the shackles
of the slave were broken, but where the hu-
man mind was bound by fetters of a 'ifl'erent
kind, and led into servility.

While standing here, lio was sur))risod at
the evidences of wealth and poverty which
met his eye ; the contrast was extrenu;. Aris-
tocratic eqni])age8 jjassing and repassing,
coachmen, footmen, and postillions, laden
with rich lace and heraldic trappings were
seen in every direction ; while at tiie siiine time
could be observed the sunken ey(^ and hoMow
cheek of numerous wretched and forlorn crea-
tures, who were listlessly lingering around, or
moving here and tlua'e lik(i passing shadows
through the glittering crowd, lie wasinipre.-s-
ed by the great difl'erencedf circumstances, and
was trying to philosophize uprtn a remedy,
when his attention was directed to a movement
of the [leopUi who luid been standing idly about
the great, hall. Policemen wen; l)usy trying
to get th<; loiteren' to stand aside, a lane was
Boon formed, and pri.oontly a stately equipage

* Seo Note E.

moved slowly away from tho building and
turned toward the Strand. As it came along,
the jiolicemen raised their hats (hiferentially ;
it was evident that mw of the numerous great
personages of liOndou was i)resent, and, upon
inquiry, Samuel was informed that it was tho
" Lord Bishop of London," a great name there.
He liad just presidc^d at some meeting in
which the church was interestcnl, and as that
great and humble "successor of the ajjot-tles"
was wheeled away after his arduous duty, ho
was followed In formal and regular order by
the principal and nunor grades of metropoli-
tan clergy, who, although less splemlidly con-
voyed, y<!t gave palpabh* evidence to the poor
and hungry, who looked wistfully at the dis-
I)lay, that to many " tiodliness is great gain,"
ev(ui in this wicked world.

Satisfied in his own mind with this convic-
tion, and ^v^ule attracted by the long line of
moving splendor, his eyes rested up<m a cleri-
cal vehicle of a different kind. In a neat car-
riage drawn by a pair of fine horses were
four persons, two young ladies in front, one
of whom was driving, and behind sat a lady
and gentleman. The ladies were richly dress-
ed, the gei\tleman was in 8])otless clerical
black, and was a distinguished and popular
preacher. He was blandly smiling to some
whom ho recognized ; and while his heavy
features seemed distorted by a continued un-
natural eftbrt to wear a smile, Sam caught at
a glance the cold, soulless eye of Dr. Buster.
Even there, in the bright sunlight, in tho
midst of Favorable surroundings, seated by
fa.^hion, and in the hurly-l)urly of actual life
and business, there was in that look some-
thing that gave even to Sana a momentary
doubt of his own resolution. Were he alone
and possessed of treasure, he would not like
to meet such a countenance in a desolate place.
But see ! the features relax, the smile is gonQ,
there is a frown, and suddenly a scowl of hate,
which the doctor as suddtnily hurled into the
benevol(Mit face of — Martin MaiuK^rs.

Sanmel, following tho direction of the doc-
tor's eye, saw Robert at a few yards distance ;
he was driving a small neat vehicl(^ and by his
side sat a pw'son whom he innnediately took
to be Mr. Manners, and Avho had his calm eye
unflinchingly fixed upon the lowering features
that already seemed to shrink and witlu-r be-
neath his mild but steady gaze. Tlu^ doctor
had thus unt^xpecti'dly met one for whom his
dri'ad had generated a di.-adly hate ; h(.i hur-
riedly reachetl over and struck one of tho
horses with his cane, ami as they rushed on-
ward \w. made some frivolous excuse to tho
ladies about becoming nervous in a crowded
thoroughfare.

" There he goes," said Robert, looking after
them, " there goes a saint lus I hojio to see
elevated lU'arer heaven one of these days."
And Kaying this, he quickly -uid significantly
wound the end of his whip-lash around his
own neck. He nf)W ol)serv(;d Sam who stood
close by, and was glail they had met. " This
is my cousin, sir, this is Yank(!e Sam, s"r, all
the way from America — a wildisli chap in his
way."

Mr. Manners was much i)leaaed to mec-t Ro-
bert's friend ; ho had heard of him, and of tho

EXETER HALL.

n/T and
e ttl<»n«f,
ntially ;
18 great
n\, upon
was tlio
10 tlierc.
tinfj in
as that
jot-tles"
liity, lio
order by
etiopoli-
dly con-
the poor
tlie dig-
it gain,"

adventure of the precedinp night. He gave
him an invitation to Hainpstead, and made him
protnise to call there with Robert the next
day. Ho was now on his way to town, and
might not return before night. A few remarks
were then made about the unexpected meet-
ing they had just had with Dr. Bnster. Mr.
Mannors said but little, yet there was a mean-
ii j: in his look that could not be misunder-
Biood.

After they had driven away, Sam felt in a
rambling mood ; ho was quite inditferent as to
his course, and walked through several streets,
often stopping before gorgeous shop-windows
to look at the rich goods and splendid wares
exhibited, then halting to guess the dimen-
sions of some immense church or public build-
ing. He loitered near gardens and wealthy
mansions ; then in a park, and, going on still
further, got in the neighborhood of an old
churchyard. It was not a cemetery on the
modern plan ; it was a crowded acre or two in
the midst of dwellings, like some of those he
had had seen in Philadelphia — charnel-places,
which are yet allowed to pollute the air of
that city. The burial-ground in question was
inclosed by an iron railing and surrounded by
some squat-looking buildings, and tall lod-
ging houses ; and even there, at short distances,
were places where strong liquors and London
stout could be had ; it seemed as if the prox-
imity of these resorts to the dead often induced
mourners to test the oblivious qualities of
such liquids.

Outside of one of these places, some distance
up the street, and nearly in front of the prin-
cipal gate of the cemetery, a great number of
persons were asstsmbled ; others camo on every
moment ; some remained near the gate, while
many \Vent into the graveyard. Anxious to
see what was going on, Sam hurried to the
place; the crowd was getting larger every
moment, and boys clung to the iron railing ;
while oihers were busy climbing such lamp-
jyosts, or trees as would afford a view. Think-
ing some great funeral was expected, he asked
a by-stander, a plain looking workman, if such
was to be the case ; the man at once replied,
" Xo, it beant no funeral. We had one here-
abouts yesterday — Tom Jones's child — there's
the grave yonder," said he, pointing to the
cemetery. The end of the little mound
could be seen, and close to it stood the father
and a number of men armed with sticks and
clubs — a resolute dare-devil set, that were
ready to bid diiliance to law or gospel.

" Now," continued the man, " Tom is a
Methodee, and the i)arson don't like such, and
says 'cause the child wasn't baptized, it shan't
lio there."

" Why, you don't mean to say they're going
to take it up again ^"

" Y'es, that's it, they're coming hero to-day,
coming now to do it. The parson is high-
church — a high-llyer — and wants that bit of
pasture lor his own Hock. See, here they
come — damn them !"

Another crowd was now moving down
toward the churchyard, but neither the so-
called "high-flyer" nor hia expected assis-
tants could be st-en. It was another funeral ;
the aged mother of one of the parish work-

men had died, and they brought her body to
the old resting-place for interment, and, as she
had been some kind of Methodist, several said
that bringing her there would be the cause of
more trouble. For some yuars past a sect of
Methodists called " Ranters " had been estab-
lished in certain districts of the city — a sect
very plain in its way, but very noisy and up-
roarious in its religious demonstrations. Its
members were almost entirely belonging to
the poorer working class, which great mission-
ary societies in their anxiety for the conver-
sion of foreign heathens had overlooked. Now,
the Ranters looked upon the pretensions of
the church with great indifference ; and the
church, or at least the high-church, still as-
suming control over the souls of English sin-
ners, claimed to dictate, and would not allow
an unbaptized thing to moulder side by side
with " the faithful ;" nor should any who had
left the bosom of the church for a conventicle
find interment in a parochial grave, unless the
formal burial service was read at the place by
an authorized minister. No, the churcli could
never for'jet its authority. ; it would still hurl
its legal anathemas, and deny to the foul
weeds of dissent Christian burial in " con-
secrated ground."*

The funeral now arrived at the gate ; the
bearers were ordered to halt ; a line of con-
stables stood across the entrance, and a cler-
gyman with a very little head, very little
eyes, and a very large nose, pompously warn-
ed the intruders to keep off. He held a folded
surplice on one arm, and flourished the other
with clerical determination. A numlxjr of
other constables kept moving about, and mat-
ters looked serious ; some were for an imme-
diate resort to force, while others advised a
more peaceable method. The bearers now
lowerec^ the coffin on the pavement, and one
of the relaiivcs asked that permission might
be given to bury the deceased in the same
place where her husband and two of her chil-
dren had been laid years before. But the
parson was inexorable ; none, he said, should
have the privilege of burial in that place but
deceased members of the church ; those who
resisted its authority should be as the heathen
and the publican. The body of every scliis-
matic found in that churchyard should be
disinterred, and buried where they ought to
be — in the c(unmon highway. Yells and
groans followecmhis rei)ly ; a hundred indig-
nant faces could bo seen around, and al-
ready some were collecting stones and other
missiles for a pitched battle. One or two per-
sons, however, seemed to have control, and an
old workman stood ujion the coHin, and, after
having called the attention of all present, said :

" Friends, wo uU know that this is an un-

* Porhnps ono of the latest spocimens of this kind
of clerical iiitnlorniico in exhibited in the follow-
iiitr, from an i'^iutlifii paper — the London Nalionai
Ufformer : "Tlio Uev. Mr. Mirelumse, Hector ot Ool-
Hterworth, lias l)een displaying his ChriHtian eliarlty
liy refusinij; to bury a diild, li'ecaiiso it had not been
Ijiiptized at his eHtal)lisinuent, hut liad Imd its sins re-
mitted at the Wesleyan Cliapel. Wlien tlie funerai
procession arrived at tlus dnirch, the giites were iocli-
ed,and it was not until tlie niotlu'r of Ww. cliild lUinted
in the street that this 'Christian tcentleiiian and hu-
mane man' allowed Ihcfuucrulto enter the ' cousccrut-
ed' ground."

fV '■':

EXETER HALL.

1^"

%!>»»

■I;..

K
w

christian proceedinfj ; we know that there is
no relipfious equality yet in this land ; much
as we may boast of our free laws, there," said
he, pointing down to the coffin, "is an evi-
dence of their partiality, and some, as we now
see, would have no equality oven in the jrrave.
But it matters not where this poor body be-
neath my feet is lo be hidden, whether in a
field or highway, neither does it matter what
is said over her remains. I may not live,
friends, to see it, but, remember," said lie,
h)wering his voice, " there's a good time com-
ing, and England will yet be free. I would
now advise that if the clernyman permits us
to bury the body here, her irlcnds shall con-
Bent to allow the 'church service ' v^, 1« lead,
and so end further trouble."

After some contention, this prudent advice
was followed ; it was a triumph for the church.
The minister, after a show of hesitation, con-
sented, and in a few moments afterward he
was heard in sonorous tones consigning to
the grave " the body of our deceased sister."
and slie was thus laid in the same earth with
her mouldering relatives.

While this ceremony was taking place, and
while most of those present stood around the
grave, the constables formed a circle about
that of the child, two men tossed aside the
mound, and commenced to disinter the body.
These proceedings were not noticed for some
tim(! ; but soon word was passed from one to
another, and the incens(!d father, followed by
a hundred others, rushed upon the constables,
and in less than a minute three or four of
them were bleeding profusely, and the two
men who had been digging at the grave were
leveled to the earth and shouting for nu>rcy.
Sticks and stones were flying in all directions ;
one fellow was seen tramping furiously on
the minister's liat, while another tore his
surplice into ribbons. The parson however
was strong in the faitli, and thmigh pressed
back, step by step, by the reckless crowd, he
feared no mob, but continued to urge tlie
police to support his authority. At this
juncture, some one with truer aim than the
rest flung a large sod at the head of his
reverence, and he was seen to tumble back-
ward across the little grave which had been
alnsady violated by his orders.

The scene at this time was one of great con-
fusion ; yells, oaths, throats, and even blows
were still heard, just as if a legion of demons
had been let loose among the tombs, 'i'he
constal)l(>s were powerless, their main effort
now seemed to be to protect the minister ;
but their help to him would have been ofi
little avail, were it not for the old workman
who had spoken at the gate, and a few others.
The parson was with some difflculty dragged
away from the place, the constables rtjtircd,
but the crowd remained, and the triumph this
time was with the peoph;. Samuel Styles, wlio
had witnessed the whole proceedings, was
now thoroughly disgusted ; he had often heard
and read of similar scenes, but ho hud no idea
that siK^i clerical intolerance would be at-
tempted in lOngland at that period of tlic
nineteenth century. lie had now sin-n enougli
of it in one day to last him for life; and a
rumor having spread that the constables would

return with reenforcements, ho left the "con-
secrated ground " and i)lac(; of contest. That
night, while sitting in the largo room of the
lied Lion, the princijial theme was the innate
tyranny of priestcraft.

Early next morning the papers teemed with
conflicting accounts of the jmjceedings at the
cemetery ; and journals in the interest of the
church comnu'uted vehemently on the savage
outrage which had been perpetrated by a
heathenish mob against a " defenseless ser-
vant of (iod." There was no word of extenu-
ation in these religious ])apers for the outraged
feeli.^.gs of the people, ('lerical correspondents
suggested that some immediate action must
be taken; a lino of demarkation should bo
drawn in every cemetery to distinguish the
" faithful " from" dissenters. Some argued that
a dividing wall should be built in eadi church-
yard, others thought a hedge might answer,
while othera would be content with a gravel
walk ; it would be quite sufficient to enable
all to distinguish wlun-e lay those who had
been blessed by England, or cursed by Rome,
damned by dissent, or saved by the State
Church.

CHAPTER XV.

Mr. CAPETi had been absent several days,
and had visited every station on the circuit.
In his missionary wanderings, lie traveled
through a picturesque country, rich in land
scape scenery, reminding him of the rock and
river and mountain of his native land. He
passed by pleasant meadows, where lazy cattle
fed and rested, scarcely moving at his ap-
jiroach. He rod(; through shaded lanes, fra-
grant from hawthorn blossoms on I'ither side;
then by some qiuiint old place which had
given a page to iiistory ; by little brooks and
shining rivers ; by woodman's cottage, nest-
ling among trees ; and then he wound around
some grassy hill-slope, towering above which
might bo seen a lioary, crumbling castle,
crouching under the sheltering ivy, as if wait-
ing for the final stroke of time. Yet, attractive
as these would have been to him at other
times, ho scarcely glanced at the magnificent
grouping ; he was in deep thought, thinking
of what he had lately read ; and during his
a1)straction, the liorse walked slowly along,
often even stopping to pluck at the fresh
grass which gnnv by the road-side. Now and
then he would arouse, and urge his beast
onward ; he would look around foi" some
object on which to feast his eye, in order to
ri(l himself of doubts and harassing specula-
tions ; but Avhile seemingly intent un some pic-
ture of rtistic sceiu>ry, or at tlu^ commingling
of shadow and sunlight beneath the rough
branches of sonu^ old oak, he would relapse
again, and again his thoughts would wander
away, away, far from their wonted track, and
then return but to transform into hideous
iimigcs the ideas which he once considered so
iair and bi'MUtilnl.

It was only when he was aciively engaged
among the iieoph; to whom he was sent that
he, in a measure, got rid of this eml)arrass-
meut ; and he applied himself perseveringly.

EXETER HALL.

! "con-
That
of the
innate

He tried to obtain a fair knowledffo of the
wants, wishes, and mental status of the peo-
])lo among wliora lie was destined for a time
to labor. He was very punctual in his minis-
tration ; preached once, and often twice, each
day, and was diligent in the performance of
his otlier duties. For the time, he devoted
himself very assiduously to these matters, and
tried hard to think of little else, He found
Methodism there much like what it was in
Ireland ; but the people were rather more de-
monstrative in their religious extjrcises, ac-
cepting the peculiarities of their creed as
pure gospel, and rarely ever doubting the
])ropriety of any rite, doctrine, or exposition
bearing the sanction of the revered Wesley.
Indeed, the credulity of some would have
approved of any absurdity, provided it had
his indorsation, thus acting like thousands
who continue to pin their faith to the sleeve
of others.

Mr. Capel kept busy ; every suitable mo-
ment was one of industry. He wished to
ascertain the state of religion ou the circuit ;
to know the state of every class, and the quali-
.'ication of every class-leader ; was particular
to learn who were the most exemplary mem-
bers ; gave a word of encouragement to some,
and a suitable rebuke to T>ackslider3. But
ah ! the thought then came, Who was it that
might yet reljuke him? Even here, among
the few who had once been faithful, there
stepped aside out of the beaten track daring
skeptics. He bad heard of this, and felt alarm-
ed lest even he, the preacher, should yet fol-
lo\V them in their terrible descent. Still he
worked ; he did not want to think ; he had
l)eeu near the preci[)ice, and had just looked
over its dreadful brink, and shrunk back, as if
fearful that some sudden impulse would urge
him to destruction.

For nearly a week ho thus struggled with
the mutiny of his own thoughts— thoughts
that would obtrude thoniselves ; frighu'ul
forms, whicli he tried to hurl into oblivion.
But the trial came at lust ; he could be ac-
tive during the day, he could then form sagu
resolutions to cling forever to the ark in which
so great a number had found refuge, and
which had borne him tlius far througli storm
and sunsliine so safely and pleasantly. He
would pray more — would urge the Lord —
would assuredly find the promised help, would
find more strength to resist, and more determi-
luxtioii to follow on in the narrow way, with-
out looking to the riglit hand or left, until he
attained " eternal life." Thus it was with him
in the busy daytime ; but then came the night
— night again, with its shadows — not a time
for him of quiet contemplation or calm repose,
but a season for wild conjectures and fevered
dreams, and for alternate feelings of hope and
despair. Now, again, came those thoughts
which one by one sought to rob him of sonui
treasured idea, some glittering little idol that
h(i wor.-ihipod from infancy. Why was ho
troubled thus, why douljtful of the Word of
Life V ('ould he not be content with eviilciices
ajul assurances that had satisfied a \Vesloy,
a Wlutefield, a Clark or a Paley V He had read
and re read tlieir learned expositions, and now
by such aid he sought to banish those obtru-

sive fancies vhich kept him restless and wa-
vering ; Ijut tiio.se expositions, once considered
so lucid and fjatlsfactory, had now, alas! for
him, degenerated into mere assumptions, or
speculation. He had all his life been heariag
and reading one side of a history, and had but
just glanced at the other side, to find that
that structure, the erectum of which had ta-
ken centuries, was already crumbling to ruins.
He would lie awake thinking of his conversa-
tions with Mr. Mannors, of the history of
Christianity, of its rapacity and perse'- .cion ;
of Romish and English popes, txnC of their
respective state-churches ; of the wealth and
blood that had been expended to secure their
estal)llshment, and of the salaried armies of
bishops, priests, and preachers yet required to
keep the world from relapsing into paganism.

Against this array, Science had now lifted
its mighty arm. Reason was boldly assert-
ing its rights, while Truth was silently point-
ing to the throne from which it bad long been
excluded by an usurper. There was the " In-
spired Word" which he had been taught to
revere, »nd which had for centuries been held
in awe by multitudes, now treated by the in-
telligence of the age as a myth. The " sa-
cred" narrative had been subjected to impious
criticism, and its assertions tested, like those
of any other book, by Reason and Philosophy.
How had it stood the test ? Thousands had
thrown it aside as worthless. Should he do
so, might he not make a fatal mistake V Ho
was taught to believe that the greatest attain-
ment of reason was to know that there was
an infinity of knowledge beyond its limits.
Might not this knowledge be centred in the
Biijle, and might not erring, presumptuous
man misinterpret its teachings? But why
misinterpret? — why, if written for man's
guidance and instruction, should it be so con-
tradictory to reason ? — why should it so bewil-
der both wayfaring man and philosopher?
Ho had expressed to Mr. Mannors a will-
ingness to investigate the Bible, and he
had scarcely commenced before he became
startled, and was almost ready to recede. Ho
had already discovered enough to leave him
in a lal)yrinth of doul)t and perplexity.

He found that +liero was no evidence to
show that the books said to have been written
by Moses were ever penned by him ; on tho
contrary, there was tho most conclusive proof
within their own pages to establish that they
were tho production of othpr persons, hun-
dreds of years after the death of their reputed
author ! Had they been written by Moses,
they could have contained no descrii)tlve ac-
count of his own death and burial ; they would
not have been written in the third person, as,
" The Lord said unto Moses — " " Moses
said unto the people ;" nor would he have re-
ferred to himself in tlie fulsome terms mention-
ed in Numbers, 12th chapter, 3d verse:
" Now the man, Moses, was very meek above
all the m(>n which were upon the face of tho
earth." But the most positive evidenco
against the assumption that Moses was tho
writer is the numerous anachronisms which
occur. Moses is made to relate in tho pdst
teiixe events which did not happen in his life-
time, uur indeed for centuries afterward.

'. \

EXETER HALL.

\\l

■«vr'

i."

!.•

" k

Tlie poor pica can not bo made that ho was
speaking j)rophttirally ; it is a i)h\in rehition
of occurrt-nces, said to liave taken ])lace
provi'.ms to the time of their record. In the
l4vh chaptcsr of GenewiB, there is an account
cf how ]jf)t was taken prisoner in battle and
carried of!', and that Abraham and liis follow-
ers marclied to rescue liini, and followed his
captors as far as lJ(t)i. Now there was no
place known as Dan ii. the Bible until over
300 years after the reputed ileath of Moses ;
consequently, it would be as absurd to state
tliat Moses mentioned such a ])lace as it would
be to assert that a writer of Shakespeare's time
had mentioned an incident <if Waterloo.
Thus, concerning the burial of Moses, the
writiT states, " And he, buried him in a valley
hi the land of Moab, over ajjainst B«!th-
peor , but no man kuoweth of his sepulchre
unto tJiis day."

"And there arose not a prophet since in
Israel like unto Moses."

The 3(Jth chajjter of Genesis fjives the fjene-
ahijxy of the descendants of Ef-au called
" Edomites," and a list of these kings ; and the
Slst verse .'^ays, "And these are the kings tliat
reigned in Edom before there reigned any king
over the children of Israel." Tliese i)assages
could not have been written by Moses. The
latter verse must have been written at least
after the time of David; there weii no kinf/ft
in Israel in the days of Moses, c (luently
the writer of that particular ]ms>age must
have lived in the time of King David, or
during a subsequent reign ; for if at this j)res-
ent day a writing without date should be dis-
covered, and which, in speaking of past events,
should say that such and such an occurrence
took jdace during the reign of Queen Victoria,
the inference as to the writer would of course
be, that he lived and wrote aj'ttr her acces-
sion.

These texts, then, are proof positive that
Moses was not the writer; that they either
must be interpolations — whicli, to get rid of
thedifficulty, some would admit — or the whole
book is an anonymous tradition of absurd-
ities.

\Vith regard to the other books said to have
been written by Most-s, similar evidence! can
be had in abundance, to i)rove he was n(jt the
writer. In Exotlus, IGth chajjter, and fJoth
verse, it is said: "And the children of Israel
did eat manna forty years, until they came to
a land inhabited ; they did eat manna, until
they came unto the borders of the land of Ca-
naan." As this account extends beyond the
life of Moses, it is plain that he could not
have related it.

The curious instance in Deuteronomy, 3d
chapter, verse 11, sliows the fabulous notions
which prevailed at the time. One conctu-niug
a race of giants says : " For only Og, king of
Uashan, remained of the remnant of giants;
behcjld his bedstead was a bedstead of iron, is
it not in IJabbath of the children of Aninmu'.'
nini! cubits was the length thereof, and four
cubits the breadth of it, after tbe cubit of a
man."

According to this measurement, the bed-
stead was over 16 feet in length, and more
than seven feet wide. This singular relation

could not have born made by Moses, for ho
knew nothing of Habbath, nor of what was
in it. It was not a city owned by this giant.
The knowledge, then'fore, that this bi'dstead
was at l{abbath, and the i)articulars of its di-
mensions, must be referred to the iieriod when
Kahbath was taken, which was not until 400
years aft<'r the death of Moses, according to
2d Samuel, 12th chajiter, 2(lili verse: "And
Joal) fought against Ihibbath of the children
of Amnion, and took the royal city." News
was then sent to King Davhl ; and the 29th
verse says that " he gathered all the ])eoplo
together, and went U) liabbath and I'oiight
against it an<l took it ;" and then, after rul)bing
the king of his crown, and sacking the city,
a j)roof of King David's lovingkimlness and
tender mercy toward the miserable inhabi-
tants is given in the JlOtli verse :

"And ho brought forth the people that
were therein, and ])ut them under saws, and
under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron,
ami made them pass through the brick-kiln ;
and thus did he unto AI.i, the cities of the
children of Ammon. So David and the peo-
ple returned to Jerusalem."

If such infamous brutalities could possibly
meet the ajiproval of a merciful 'iod, it must
have been the savage and revengeful Deity of
the Jews, not the mori; Iiuinand and consider-
ate Clod of the Gentiles.

The, same objections t'lat are urged against
the cA'dibility of the books of Moses, or the
Pentateuch, also appear against the book said
to have been written by Joshua, as well as
against many other of the strange books which
comoose tlu^ Bible. In the 24th chapter, 29th
and following verses, he is made to give an
account of his own, death and burial, and of
events which followed.

An astonishing fact respecting the books
of Moses shows that the first certain trace
of the Pentateucli in its present form was
when one Ililkiah, a priest, said he had found
the book of the law in the house of the Lord.
This discovery is said to have been made as
hue as 024 years before Christ. The iinding
caused a gri'at sensation. The alarmed mon-
arch, King Jo.siah, " rent his clothes," went to
the temi)le, and read " all the words of the
hook ;■' and a great reformation immediately
commenced. It is evident that if these books
of Moses had been iireviouxly known to the
Jews, they would n(jt have nuinifested such
surprise and ahirni ni)on their discovery by
Ililkiah. That discovery stands \\\im\ his mere
assertion. He might have written "the book
of the luw" himself, or, if there were any
ancient recor<1s that he knew of, he might
have made sucli alterations as he pleased ; it is
livident, howevt ' . iluit at that i>eri(jd there was
but o/ic copy of the law in existence, the va
lidity of which dei)ended entirely upon the
veracity of this priest. The story is to Ikj
found in the ;54th chapter of 2d Chronicles.

Ili're, therefore, appears a strange contradic
tion. \^'e are told in Jllst chai)ter of Deuter-
onomy that iiltout 14^)0 years before (^hrist,
wlu'ii Moses, it is said, made an end of writing
the words of the law in a book, hts said to the
Leviteri, "Take this book of the law and put
it in the side of the Ark uf the Covenant of the

8, for lio
liiit ^vaB
iw };innt.
IndstL'ad
of its di-
>n\ when

I lit 11400

•' And
children

News
the 29th

e jK'oplo

d I'oiiyht

rohbiug

the city,

II OSS and
inhabi-

)lo that

iiAvs, and

■s ( )f iron,

•ick-kiln ;

•8 of the

the peo-

EXETER HALL.

popsibly

, it niuBt

1 Deity of

cimsider-

•d against
ic^», or the
book said
is well as
oks whicli
;liter, 29th
f> give an
il, and of

the books
tain trace
form was
had found
the Lord.
1 made as
be linding
iiiod mon-
," went to
ds of the
miediately
lose books
,vn to the
ssted Puch
covery by
n his more
' tiit^ book
wore any
he might
asod ; it is
there wa*<
ce, the va
upon tlie

r is 10 1k)

'hroniclis.
contradic
of Doutor-
ire Christ,
i)f writing
said to the
V and ])ut
lant of the

Lord your Ood, that it may l)e there to witness
against yon." Now if this book of the law
was faitlifully kept with that rovorontliil can-
wliich the Jews are said to have had for it, w]<y
was it not in the same ark 4.)0 years after-
ward, at the time the groat temple is said \"
have boon dedicated by Solomon V It was not
then to be found, and no mention is made of
such a book ; for in the 8th chai)t(!r of 1st
bo(jk of Kings, it is said : " There was nothing
in tlie Ark save the two tables of stone which
Mosos p\it there at Horeb."

It is impossilde to roconcil'^ those discrepan-
cies. Errors ( this kind implanted ;m a book
claiming to l)o inspiroil seriously atHot th<-
credibility of the whole. But why slicnld an
almost unknown barbarous tribe like ibe an-
cient Jews be the sole recipients of favors and
communications from tlio Deity? As a race,
they were i)erha))S the most vindictive, cruel,
and blood-thirsty monsters tliat ever lived ;
their Ood was but the reflection of themselves,
and their law-giver Mos(>s, called meek, possess-
ed such a character as the civilization of the
im'sentdiiy would pronounce thorouglily cruel
and dt'pravod. His first prominent act was the
deliberate murder of an Egyptian, whom he
buried in the sand ; and afterward he was the
hero of a number of murders and robberies
almost too dreadful to recite ; and the writings
which bear his sanction are records of fearful
atrocity. While assuming to Uiach his coun-
rynioii purer doctrines, and a more correct no-
tion of a Divine Being, he followed tlie exam-
ple of 8urrou..ding nations by tlie slaughti r
of poor dumb brutes, as a sacrifice to appease
the imaginary wrath of his Deity. He in-
cite<l the Jews to be faithless and implacable
to their euc^mios, and to rob and murder thorn
whenever an opportunity offered. Not only
was he cruel to strangers, but by his com-
mands, (hiith was the jienalty to his own ])eo-
I)le for coiu])arativo]y trivial otf'enses, as well
as for a dilloreiice of opinion with regard to
worshi[).

In Leviticus. 24th chaptrr, 13th to 16th
verses, tluie is an evidence of great disregard
for huiiuiulife: "And the Lord spake unto
Moses, saying. Bring forth him that hath
cursed witlmut the eainp, and let all that heard
him lay their liands upon his head, and let all
tlie cungrogaiion stone him" "And ho that
blasphemoth tlio name of the Lord, he shall
surely bo put to death, and oil the congrega-
tion sliall certainly stone him ; as well the
stranger as he that is lorn in the land, when
he biiisphomoth the name of the Lord, shall
be put to death."

'I'ho 13tli chapter of Deuteronomy, 0th to
0th versos, contains a sad ])roof of the intol-
erance and inhumanity jirevailing among
"God's chosen ])oople."

" If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or
thy s(m, or thy daughter, or tlio wife of thy
bosom, or thy friend which is as thim own
soul, entice then; secretly, saying. Let us go
and serve other gods which thou bsist not
known, tliou nor thy fathers; nanio' the
gods of the jioople which are round liout
you, nigh unto thee, or far oil" from thoo, I'rom
the one end of the earth, even unto the other

tend «'■ tho earth, thou shalt not consent
unto him nor hearken unto him; noitlier
j shall thine eye pity him, rw itlior shalt thuu
spare, neitiier shalt thou conceal him. But
' thoK, shalt .virdy kill him ; thy hand shall bo
first to put him to death, and afterward the
I liand of (dl tlie people." Will tlie liherality
j of the nineteenth century accept of such teach-
ing? The bloody code of Draco was mildnesa
in com])arison.

The "divine law-giver," Moses, also incul-
cated revenge by numerous precepts, as in
Deuteronomy, 19th cha])ter, 21st verso . " And
thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for
life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot."

His savage treatment of enemies was most
frightful. In the 7tli chapter, 2d verse: "And
when the Lord thy Uod shall deliver thorn
(their enemies) before thee, thou shalt smito
theiti and utterly destroy them ; thou shalt
make no covenant with them, nor show mercy
unto themP

A fearful instance <>'" butchery by the com-
mand of Mosos is given in Numbers, ;31st chap-
ter, from l;3tli verse. Tlie Jewish army wore
sent to "avenge" themselves of the Midian-
ites ; to effect this, they slew " all the mal<>s,"
together with five of the kings of Midian. The
women and children were taken as captives,
their cities were burnt, and their cattle, flocks,
and goods taken as spoil. Upon the return
of these chosen avengers, with their captives
and prey, " Moses and Eleazar the priest, and
all the i)rince8 of the congregation, went fi-rth
to meet tliem without the camp." " And
Moses was wroth with the officers of the host,
with the captains over thousands, and cap-
tains over hundreds which came from the
battle."

" And Moses said unto them. Have ye saved
all the women alive ?" " Behold these caused
the children of Israel, through the council of
Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord
in the matter of Poor, and there was a i)laguo
among the congregation of tlu; Lord."

" Now, therefore, kill every male ainonrj the
little ones, and kill every woman that hath
knoirn man by lying with him: but all the
women children that have not known a man
by lying with him, keep alive for yoitrselces."

Humanity shudders to think that such an
atrocious command could be given by one di-
vinely appoint(!d ; yet it is orthodox, and
meets the approval of Christian jjriosts unto
the present day, even this murder and de-
bauclu'ry !

The Mosaic account of the creation, and the
Mosaic cosmogony in general, arc singularly
false, leading to thi' grossest errors and ab-
surdities, and contradictory to well-established
principles of modern science. In this account,
it is said that lirjht was croiKod on the first
day ; that grass, herbs, and fruit trees were
cn-ated and made to grow on the third day ;
while the sun, the only source of natural
light, and the great agent of vegetation, was
not made until the fourth day.

Now, there could not have lieen an evening,
or a morning, or a first, soc(md, or third day,
without the natural revolution of the earth ;

n&i

■■■i*»-,.'ii

ill*

EXETER HALL.

i i-

nt'ltlior could there have hoen any ycj;otab]e
growtlj, to cause a tree to jjrow and y'wUl seed,
witliout its direct iuflueuce.

Tlie 14th verse of the first chapter of flen-
CBJs Bays : " And (i(Kl said, Let thi-re he li^Mits
in tlie lirniameut of heaven, to divide the day
from the nijj^ht, and let them be for signs, and
for seasons, and for days, and years.''

Yet three days and three nifrhts had al-
ready passed without a sinfjle planetary revo-
lution. The account states that on the fourth
day the stars were made also, merely " to jrive
li^ht upon the earth." ITow different to what
astronomy has proved! Sir J. Herschel, in his
philosophical transactions, proves that some of
the nebuL'e arc at such an inwuense distance
from the earth that their lij?ht, traveling at
-the rate of 200,000 miles in a second could
not have reached the earth in less than about
two millions of years. Later discoveries of
Lord liosse fully corroborate the estimate, and
it is now well established that thousands of
stars, which Scripture asserts were made as if
but " to give light upon the earth," are in re-
ality Suns to other systems, so vast as to re-
duce our solar si/stem, by comparison, to al-
most insignificance.

After the creation of fishes, fowl, and great
whales on iXxa fifth day, the beginning oi the
sixth day was devoted to the production of
cattle, creeping things, and beasts of tlic
earth ; and then God said, " Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness, and let
tlLcm have dominion," etc., etc. The plural
number is introduced into this verse as appli-
cable to both (Jod and man.

So God created man in his own image, in
the image of God created ho him ; male and
female, created ho them. And God blessed
tliem ; and God said unto tlicm, be fruitful and
multiply," etc., etc. The 27th verso of the
first chapter of Genesis, above recited, declares
in positive terms that God created man male
(. Jul female ; and this is confinned in the next
verse, when thii/ were blessed and bid be i'ruit-
ful. It is evident from this, that God was ad-
dressing Adam and his wife, whom he had j ust
created.

The 30th verse states : " And to evcri/ least
of the earth, and to every foicl of the air, and
to eve7\i/ thiiiff that creepeth upon the earth,
vherciu there in life, I have given every green
\\Q.xhfor meat ; and it was so." This is direct-
ly at variance with what is known of the
habits of animals of prey, which are nearly all
carnivorous. Naturalists have proved that
such animals can only exist by feeding on
flesh. The lion, tiger, wolf, and other animals
would quickly fjorish if left to the sole sus-
tentation of green herbs for the text includes
6iv;'.y animal.

The cl-apterthus concludes : "And God saw
every thing that he had made, and b(!hold it
•icastevi; (/ood. And the evening and the mor-
ning were the sixth day."

The second chapter begins with the declara-
tion : " Thus the heavens and earth were
fininhcd, and all the host of tluun. And on the
seventh day tiod ended his work which he
had nuide, and he rested on the seventh day
from all his work which he had made." The
creation, therefore, was finished ; God had pro-

nounced every thinfj very good, and rested from
his labor.

G reat surprise luis been manifested by many,
anxious to believe the Scriptures, that the plain
statement respecting the creation of nam —
male and female, in tho lirst chapter, should
be as plainly contradicted in the second. In
this latter chai)ter, we a. ^ told that, after the
creation, God " took the ma;' and put him into
the garden of Eden, to dress It xnd Veep it ;
but at the same time forijade him lo eat tho
fruit of one i)articular tree, after having pre-
viously told him that evevji tree " yielding
seed" should be to him " for uieat." And the
Lord said, " It is not good that tho man should
hi- alone, I will make him an heljimeet for him."
A deep sleep then fell upon Adam, and, while
in that state!, the story says : " that one of his
ribs was taken out, and God made a woman of
it"!

From this, it appears, that, although in tho
first chapter, God made man male and female,
and even addressed them as in the text, yet, in
the next chapter, after (Jod liad ended his work
and rested, no woman had been created until
he nuide one out of Adam's rib ! A tradition
so inconsistent would be readily treated as a
myth by any others but those Avho seem deter-
miiiod to believe all and every thing includwl
in the IMble.

The 2d verse of the 5th chapter of Genesis is
confirmatory of the first account of tho crea-
tion of man ; thus ''male and female created
he thcni, and blessed them, and he called their
nanie Adam" in the day when they were created.

Another inconsistency appears as to the sat-
isfaction which thy biblical Creator derived
from his own wo':k. The first chapter of the
Bible records that lie i)ronounced every thing
ho had made very good ; in the .sixth cliapter,
alter having discovered the great wickedness
of man, the record says : " And it repented the
Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it
giieved him at his heart."

Truly the prescience and omniscience of the
Mosaic Deity must liave betm very circum-
scribed ; and his instability, his repentance,
and his grief like unto those same frailties of
mortals !

The account of the " fall " is one which
has sorely puzzled the best and wisest " di-
vines." Adam, whom the Lord had but just
pronounced perfect, lulls at the very first temj)-
tation, and his posterity are unjustly cursed
and degraded by the commission of that act.

If Adam was not perfect, it seems like
trlHing with himian infirmity to place him in
such a positicm as to be unable to resist the
inducement to sin ; for it was not until after
he had committed the offense that he was able
to discern betwi^en good and evil.

For eating this apjile, Adam was expelled
from Paradise, and cf)nd(;mned to earn his
bread by the sweat of his brow ; his wifi; was
cursed, and both made sinful and unhappy ;
the ground was cursed, and ordered to pro-
duce thorns and thistles ; and a s])ecial male-
diction was iironounccd against tlie serpent :
" upon thy belly thou slialt go, and dust thou
slialt eat all the days of thy life."

The (juestion arises, if tho serpent was then
cursed, it must have previously had s(jme other

EXETER HALL.

Btcd from

by many,

. the pluin

if imin —

;r, should

ond. In

after tbo

liim into

Voi-p it ;

,o eat tho

vin>i ])re-

' yielding

And tlie

an should

; for him."

iiid, while

)no of his

Koman of

ijrh in tho
ul female,
xt, yet, in
1 his work
ated until
tradition
•ated as a
eem deter-
; included

G^cnc8is is
tho crea-
te created
ailed their
recreated,
to the sat-
cr derived
)tcr of the
very thing
h chapter,
vickedness
pen ted the
iirth, and it

•nco of the
ry circum-
■epentance,
frailties of

3ne which
ivisest " di-
id but just

iirst teiup-
Uly cursed
that act.
^oenis like
ace hin\ in

resist the
until after
le was able

IS oxpclle.l
o earn his
s wife was
[ unhappy ;
red to pro-
)eciul male-
10 serjicnt :
d dust thou

ut was then
, some other

means of locomotion. In what way did it
travel, as siTpents were never known to have
hadlejrsV It had never eaten dust, neillier
does it at tht! present day. Tho whole story
has been ])ronounced most absurd, and com-
mentators have been at their wits' end to ren-
der it plausible, or, as having been derived
from "inspirati(m."

Tho hnirncd expositor. Dr. Clarke, has sujr-
gested that it miffht have been an Al'K that
tempted our Iirst mother ! To such an extrem-
ity has learning and intelligence (ner l)een re-
duced, when submitting to the incongruities
of ficti(m.

To hide the nakedness of Adam and Eve,
the Lord, it is said, went and made coats of
skins, with which he clothed them !

The tradition concerning tlm fall, like many
others in the Bible, can be traced to the legends
of a more ancient people than the Jews, and to
an antitpiity far more remote than any record-
ed in Bible history.*

Among other curious recitals of the " word
of truth" is that of the 2d verse, (Jth chap-
ter of Genesis. " Tho sons of Uod (angels)
saw tho daugliters of men that they were fair,
and they took them wives of all they chose."
Hero is something for "doctors of divinity."
Angels descending to tccd the daughters of
men ! The Egyptians and Persians have alle-
gorized tho same doctrine, and Thon'as Moore
has founded his beautiful poem, The Lows of
the Angels, on such an idea.

The depravity of mankind had already be-
come so great that the Lord determined to
rid himself of them. " And the Lord said : I
will destroy man whom I have created from
the face of the earth, both man and beast,
and creeping thing, and the fowls of the air,
for it repenteth me that I have made them,"
verso 7, chap. vi. But Noah having fortu-
natCily found favor, in order to save him and
his femily, and preserve animals to stock the
earth anew, the Iiord commanded him to
make a large vessel called the ark ; it was to
be abouto-io feet l(mg,90 feet broad, and three
stories high — madcs according to sjjecific direc-
tions from the Deity — and a careful estinuito
has given its capacity as ab<mt 90,000 cubic
yards.f

Noah was then to take seven of every kind
of bird, male and female, and seven also of
every clean beast ; and two eacli of every
other kind of animal. An ortliodoK authority
gives the number of birds of all kinds at 8000.
Seven of eacli kind, male and female, vould
malce 113,000 birds, and allowing less tli;;'i
one cubic yard to ea(;h bird, they alone would
more than, fiH the ark ; for many of the birds
of that pci-iod were of an immense size.
TJK^re ar(* IGoS species of beasts, two of each
kind Would be ;J151G ; but then there are 100 of

* Sco Note P.

t As to tliu materials of which tho mytliical ark of
Scripture was* coiiipojied. learned Christian cdinineii-
tatoi'H liav(! foriueil various opinion:*. Tims our n)o<l-
eni "autliorized" version nialces It r/op/wr-wnod ; On-
kilhoa, of (M/tii: TlieArahie eoniineniatora declare! it
to l)u bo.v.-n'(X)il; tlie Persians, ;«/(« wooil. The eele-
hrnt(Kl Hochart declares it was ihoiiij : Dr. Cieddes
afllrnis it to he w'tckfr tmrk ; while the distiniruisheii
CIn-istian, Dawson, contends that it was made of bul-
rmliM daubed nU/i aiii/ie.

theflo clean beasts ; and seven of each of thepc
niake 1102; making in all, 4478 beasts largo
and small. Of rejitiles, there are GoT. multi-
plied by two, gives i;jl4 ; and yet further, of in-
sects and creeping things there are 750,000
various kinds, which, doubled, would nuike
over one and a half millions! An important
element in the calculation is yet to be consid-
ered. Noah was recpiired to put into the ark
suilicieut food for all tJie living creatures to be
tak«'n. But even to supply grass-eating ani-
nnils alone, numbering about 2000, the nrk
itself could not contain tho quantity requisite.

Some animals would recjuiro llesh, others
fish, others grain, others fruit, and others
insects. How was it possible to obtain sui>
plies for all these ? The food necessary for
ten or twelve months would make an im-
mense bulk, far beyond the capacity of the
ark ; neither could even a vessel of its size
contain tho indispensable supply of water, as
the ocean of the flood would be salt.

Assuming that the immense collection co\ild
bo cribbed and confined within the ark, the
question then comes, how could they breathe?
There was but one small window in the ark,
which was closed ; and how could eight per-
6(ms only attend to all these animals, and
sup|)ly them with food and water ?*

But whence the flood itself? The mere rain-
ing of forty days and nights would be com-
paratively nothing toward it. The Andes
are supposed to be 20,000 -"eet above the level
of tho sea ; the vapors of the atmosphere, if
condensed, could not deluge the earth to the
height of an ordinary house. Modern geolo-
gists deny that there ever was, or ever could
be, a universal deluge ; the marine shells found
on the tops of mountains have been deposited
by changes of the earth's surface, and there
is proof incontestable that these changes have
been produced by the gradual operation of
water and heat; Egyptologists assert that
monuments have been found in the valley of
the Nile which bear evidence of having been
erected at a period long before that assigned
to the flood.

This i)art of the Mosaic history has been
the cause of much embarrassment to profes-
sional tluiologians ; numerous explanatory the-
ories have been tor mod but to conibund each
other ; and many intelligent Christians have
wished that such a record had never existed.
The Rev. Dr. Pyo Smith admits that —
" tln! flood could not be universal," that it
couJd not have " resulted in the destruction of
all animal life," and " that, connecting the
(piestion with j)hysical causes, it ajipi-'ared to
him, that unless we resorted to miraculous
agency (against which he protested) it was im-
lK),ssible to inuigine the ark capable of con-
taining parts of all the animals whose exist-

* Bishop Wilkina tries to get rid of the didlcnlty by
" rcdneinj,' the numher of ^V'^aV* ,■" hut tin; H»th and
reniainini? verses of the (ith chapter of Uenesia arc
conclusive as to tlie nieaniii;,' and mteniion of the an-
gry Deity according to Ids '• Inspired Word." There
was to have heon two saved of every ,tor/. of every
living thing, of all ll(!sh— plain enough in this case for
a " wayfarnig man.'" Assuming, however, tliat there
had been a llood, and that almost every living thing
on land had been destroyed, the deluge could not have
all'ected the inhabitants of tho ''great deip."—Av-

TUCK.

•A"

N>.

EXETER HALL.

*■•♦

encc mnst clrptiid entirely upon their exennv
lion fioiii inundation.'' Tlien, huvinjj: detailed
the fircat A-aiicty of species in tht; animal
creation, he adniiis the impossibility of stow-
ing: tlieiu in the ark.

The fiieat Dr. Burnei says that the quan-
tity of Avater it wouhl taki to cover the high-
est moi'.ntains, " must at least exceed the luag-
iiitude of eif«lit oceans ;" tliat no such quan-
tity could be found, or, if found, ever remov-
ed, and that, therefore, " our present earth
was not subject to a delufre, nor is it capal)le
of it by Its sliajie or elevation." {Archcol. I'ld-
los. cliaiiter iv. )>. 40.)

Scienliiic e\:dence bears so strongly against
the theory of a general deluge that the whole
story liiis long been given up by many as
being the issue uud result of downright ig-
norance.

After the subsidence of the flood, the Lord
made anotlu'r covenant, and ])roniised not to
destroy the earth again by a deluge, and •' set
his bow in the cloud for a token." Again,
science confutes this rainbow novelty, and
prov(>s that there has always been rain and
sunshine, and that the rainbow had not then
api)eared in the heavens for Wmfirxt time.

Passing the strange relation about the
tower of Babel, and the confusion f)f tongues,
the discrepancii'S in the accounts of how Abra-
ham made his wife ajjpear as his sister, we tind
that the destruction of the flood liaving failed
in its ex]tected results, tlu^ Lord a])pears tif/((in
as a destroyer, lie visits Abraham in his tent
upon tlie plains of Manire accomi)anied by
two angels. It seems his foreknowledge was
at fault ; for he canu) to try and And out
■whether the iritjuity of Sodom was as great
as had been represented. " I will go down
now, and see whether they have done alto-
together according to the cry of it which is
come unto me ; and if not, I will know." The
Lord and his heavenly messenger.^ having
had their feet washed, and having juirtaken of
refreshments — cakes, butter, milk, arid veal —
made a jadnuse to Sarali, then a very old wo-
man, that she should have a son ; and one to
Abraham, that he would not destroy Sodom,
provided ten righteous persons were found in
it, and took his departu. e ! This account is to
be found in the 18th chapter of (Jenesis, and
portrays the Lord and his attendants in every
respect as very like ordinary mortals.

In the ci-iitinuatior, of the history of mur-
ders, which tonus such a large poriion of the
Old Testament, th(^ lOth chapter of the liook
c Joshua contains a record of that great niir-
H''le, the standing still of tin; f<iiii and vioon.
The slaughter of the nations around them
seems to hi'.ve been a favorite pastime of the
" chosen j)eo])le." Joshua was their leach v
after Moses, and he did not fail to indidge
and encourage the ])ious recreation of exter-
minating the "eninnies of the Lord."

The men of (iiix-ou bavin'.'; sent for aid to
Joshua, against tlu^ Amoriu's, he went out
with his mighty men io give them battle.
There were live kiniis t.) be overcome ; but the
Lord, as u m al, promise d '• his people" the vic-
tory. Tie slaughter c< mmenced attiibeon;
and as t'le' poor wretches lied for their lives,
" the Lord cast down great stones from hea-

ven upon them, unto Azekah, and they died."
But h St the day should not lu! long enough
to complete the butclu-ry, then sjakt^ Joshua:
Sun, stand thou still ui>on (ubeon, and thou,
nujon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the
sun stood still, and the moon staid until the
j)eo])le I'.ad avenged themselves ujion their
enemies. Is not this written in i/u bock of
JAsiir.a 'I " So the sun stood still in the midst
of heaven, and hasted not to go down about
a v/iote ihiy."

Had such an event ever occurred as the sud-
den stopi)ing of the earth in its swiit ri^volu-
tion, every living being, and every work of
man ujjou its surface would havi' been instant-
ly destroyed; even the earth itself would fly
into fragments. Y«'t it is known that there
are buildings now standing in Kgyit erected
before the alleged time of Joshua. Were it
jiossible that the sun or moon could have stood
still, such an extraordinary event would have
bi'en known over the whole world ; yet neither
in China, India, Pei^ia, or Egyjit. nioie ancient
countries, where astronomy was studied, is
there any mention made of it. The narrative
was uevi'r penned by such a jx'rson I's J(,shua ;
for the unknown scribe quott s the Ivvkof
Jasiieu as authority to corrolxirnte the mi-
racle ! This; book of Jdnlur was then consider
ed as one of the " inspired" liooks, and as it
was not written until the tirm cf tlie kiu(/s,
c(>nturieB after the death of Joxlnut. he could
not have been the writer. ' The bvak »J Janhcr,
like nutny others still quoted in the Bible, has
long been enumerated among* he loxt books oi
Scrijjture ; it can not now be found.

This is another of the so-called miracles that
theologians would be gladly rid of. There is
no concurring testiiiiony resjjecting it, Inbar-
barous ages, every ])retender was a miracle-
worki^r, and this particular one has been foist-
ed into the " word of truth" by some one igno-
rant of the first princi))les of astronomy.

The whole story is a fable, a relic of some
ancient myth, on which are founded so many
of the Bible miracles, to ecliiise si iince and
common sense, and to cast a sliadow over rea-
son and intelligence.

As a further i)roof of the huniinu' disposition
of the i)eople of (iod, the stoiy ccntinues, that
after the great slaughter, the five kings who
had taken refuge in a cave were di gged out
by order of Joshua. He said, " Come near, put
your feet upon the necks of tluse kings. And
they caiUk; near, and jjut their feet iijiou the
ni'cksof them." " And afterward .!< shua smote
them, and slew them, and hanged them on live
tices, and they were hanging upon the trees
until the evening."

Is'ot satislied with the bloodshed of this
notable day, he went on snuting ; he look sev-
en other kings, which he treated to the same
kind of death. "So Joshua hUiote all the
country of the hills, and of the south, and <il
tlie vale, and of the sjjrln'gs, and all their
kings: he left non(! remaining, but utterly
destroyed all that lireathed, as the Lord tiod
of Israel comtiianded."

The next cbai)t( r continues the fearful rec
ord ; <'Ven the ]ioor brutes taki n from tlie t ni'
niy were gashed and lniniKti uikj by order ol'
the Lordl "And Joshua did unto them us

EXETER HALL.

ley died."
[f enough

Joshua:
luul thou,
Aim! the

until the
jion their
'( hcvk of

the midst
)\vn about

s the aud-
it revolu-

work of
n in8t ant-
would fly
liat tliere
j.t elected

\\ ere it
ia\ (' stood
ould have
*et neither

e aiK'iint
studied, is

nanativo
's Jibliua;
10 hvvk of
e the mi-
ll c(}n!«ider
;, and as it
the liuf/s,
/, lie could
• (if Janher,

■ Bible, lias
/.si books of

iraehstliat
. There is
it. Inbar-
a miracle-
s bei'ii I'oist-
e one igno-
nomy.
lie t)l' Kome
I'd 80 many
-( icnce ami
i\v over rea-

■ disposition
tiiuuh, that
kiiijfH who

Ir jiji'ed out
lie near, imt
iiiji'S. And
■t uiKiu the
.sluiaHiiote
liem on live
n the trei8

lied of thin
he \(nik !-ev-
to the Hiinc
ott! all tlu'
luth, and of
1(1 all their
I lit utterly
ir Lord Ciiiil

fearl'iil rec-
loni the tiif

|i_v ui'der 111
iilo them as

the Lord bade him ; he houfihcd their horses
and burnt their chariots witli lire. For it \\iy».
of the Lord to lutnloi their hearts, that they
should come a;/i(inst Israel in battle, that Iw
miffht destroy them utterly, and that they
niij^ht have no fai'or, but that ho niijifht de-
stroy them, as the Lord commanded Closes.""
VVliat a friy:htt'iil i)icturo! A "benevolent
Deity" deliberately liardeninff thi^ hearts of
creature?? 'vhoni he had created to war with
others to whom he was ])artial ! No wonder
that thesi! cruel tales hav(i become so revolt-
injr, and that humane Christian ministers try
to avoid readinr them from their jmlpits. No
wonder that more missionaries arc required,
and that mouthy is S(|uandered in vain at-
temjits to bind down humanity and p;enerous
jmpi'.lses to such " truths ;" and it was no won-
der that Mr. Capel, while he dwelt upon such
a history durinjx many a weary nijjht, trying,
like many others, to reconcile himself to its
belief, was torturcfl by dn-ams in uneasy slum-
bers, and, on awnkinLT, t(, iv; shamed by doubts,
and — to wish himself dead.

CHAPTER XVI.

Tins was a busy week at Mrs. Baker's, a
week of bustling prejiaration. Not only was
there to be the re<rular class meeting but
there was also t'l be a iirayer-meeiing every
evening during the week, in anticipation of
the great anniversary at Exeter Hall. TIk^so
pious sisters were lik<! light skirmishers in a
corps of vohinteors, determined to be in ad
vancc of all otlu'rs. and to do battle as it wow
on their own account against the eniMiiies of the
liord. The grand object of this special attack
was to gain supplies from tlu^ enemy ; anil
the Lord was to be importuned to loosen the
grasp of the miser upon his hoards, the rich
man ujion his wenltli ; and high and low, old
and young, were all jn'iiyed fur in succession,
so that abundance might How into the spirit-
ual treasury, and that the Hible might be
scattered, tliick as hail in a storm, among de-
luded Papists ami blind unbelievers.

Then after these little sorties, the sisters re-
tired into the clieert'iil iiarlor, where tritliiig
chat, the nitth^ of tea-cups and the fragrance
of youn,g Ilyson made these religious meet-
ings so decitiedly agreeable.

Ai)art from any excellence attributed to re-
ligion, one of its greate.-it attractimis for
woman is the opportunity .1 adiirds for pleas-
ant reunions and social intercour.-^e. How te-
dious the Sundays would pass were there no
jilaci! to go, to Si'e and be seen. Christian, or
rather intensely Pruli'stant Christian laws and
ciisloms, have made it iniju'oper and unpopu-
lar, even sonirtinies aclual'y criminal, to de-
vote any part of that sombre day either to

♦ Anion sr tlir ii'iribU^ pitiios of piotiw biitclicry ro-
r()i'i|(;il(>r "(iiiil's pi opli','" ti'wciiii cxi'i'cd ill l)ai'l)iirll.v
tliiit ivIiilL'd ill llie »'d ISook of Kiii,!,'H, cliMiilcr xv.

VCI'SC Iti.

'•'I'lu'ii MciiMliciii smote Tiplisiili, niid all that wi ro
llici'c'iii, and tile foa^trt llu'rcof from 'I'ir/iili : hrrausi!
tlicy opi'tiid iiDl 111 liiiii, tlicrcf'jri' lie Hiii(>tc it ; il'id
ii/l ihe women l/uniu Uiat loere wWi child uk iiu'r^tu
ui'!"

science, secular di.scussions, or convivial meet-
ings. The ding dong of bells on the early
Sabbath has a reviving effect in a community
thus <leprived ; even going to church is a
relaxation. Those who have lived ajiart dur-
ing the week have now a chance of meeting
some <dd friend — the maiden her lover, the
}, oath a companion. There is a quiet pleasure
in being able to look anmnd upon an orderly,
well-dressed assemblage of worshipers, to
see a display of fashion, to hear fine inusio,
and to sit in somniferous ease, wlifle tliii well-
trained minister p.rforins in ^leculiar clerical
tones tiie religious service; wliich, whether
rendered at the shrine of Moses, or Mohammed
would be a matter of indifference to many
were it only piqiular.

To woi.ian, religion (ifers free scope for use-
fulness. She is foolishly debarred from inter-
ference in most other matters; she is made a
child in intellect, and di.'nied a profession ; she
is lampooned in politics, and ridiculed as a
sag(^; and though the church ignores iierasa
teacher, yet she is placed on an eiiuality as a
co-worker for its support ; and to her powerful
aid, religion in every land is indebted for it.s
greatest supplies, and for its numenms adher-
ents.

Mrs. Mannors was one among the number
who went heart and soul into tfte work. She
was a believer of the right kind. For Iut,
there was nothing outside Christianity worth
living for; she believed that she had an im-
portant part to jierlVn'm, and now she never
felt so contented as when actively engaged in
some religious duty. Slie also felt that w 'lilo
her luisband was without the ark of safety, it
behooved her to redouble her exertions on his
accouii whertdiy she might ])roi)itiate Ood in
his favor ; for, although hopeful of his conver-
sion, slu! would relax no ett'urt until it was ac-
coniplished.

She had been at Mrs. Baker's all the weidc ;
sh(i took but little interest in \wv liouse-
liold affairs; every night she had a spiritual
dream, and every day she? formed new iilaiis
in order to accomplish tlu^ conversion of sin-
ners ; and now, as the Bible cause was about to
receive a fresh iniimlse, she would wait for
the return of Mr. Baker and Mr. Capel, and
then s'le and her clas,s-niates in a body would
go with them to Exeter Hall. She could re-
main from home safely, for she could depend
uiinii one trusty servant, and she knew that
Miss Mannors was (piite competent to see
after tlii^ wants of her father and brother.

Hannah had also a busy wi-ek. She was oc-
casionally atllicted with a mania for house-
cleaning; and wheneveran opportunity olfered,
and very olten when it did not, she would up-
set every piece of furniture in the ho use ; beds,
bedding, ciiairs, tables, bureaus, and cupboards
would be put outside, and one passing might
imagine that the tithe proctor was going his
rounds, or that there was to be a hasty removal
Mr Mannors had lu^en sy accustomed to thia
kind of thing lliat he good-natunHlly submitted,
and let Ilanii..!' Iiaveherown way. Miss Man-
nors never interl'ered, for she knew her mother
would not ; .'Mid on such occasions, while Robert
generally kept out of the way, William and
Flounce would ait in a corner together, wutch-

iii*

fK:

EXETER HALL,

(i*'»"

1- K ;.

fa..

fng tlio prncGodings ; or, if it was a fine day,
would perch up(ni some elevation in tlie sun-
li^'lit.as if expecting; tliat after the last ])ifC(!
of fiu'nitnro was thrown out, the next opera-
tion would be the pulling down of the whole
house. ;

Hannah was never so happy as she seemed
to he on such occasions. She acted as if she
had full control, and more especially in the
absence of Mrs. Mannors, she did just as ski;
pleased, (piite irresj)ectiVe of the inconvenience
she might ('ause ; and, while tugging at some
heavy article, or striving to eject some stnb-
born i)iece of furniture, or while scouring away
at something that would p(>rsist in looking
black (i- ')n. n in spit(! of all her eflfbrts, she
Would sing all manner of hynnis that she conkl
rememlujr ; iuid if lier memory failed her, as it
often did, she would improvise tunes and
words, sometimes very imilevant, for the part
that was wanting ; and it was only when she
was forced into a regular breakdown that she
would pause for a moment or two, to renew
lier efforts, or commence to soliloquize u\Hn\
some houseliold affiur, or other matter, then
more particularly on her mind.

Now Uannah, though somewhat beyond
maidenly y(!ars, that is to say, between twenty-
five and thirty, was yet fresh, and rather gontl
looking. Strahgo to say, she never c.onsi(Iered
herself a bi'auty, and scarcely ever thought of
niatrinu)iiy ; no, not since sin? left her dreams
of eighteen. She seemed entirely devoted to
her mi.stress, to her household duties, and to
John Bunyan. Now and then, while in the
very midst and bustle of her work, with mois-
tened brow and sleeves tucked up. slio would
])ause for a moment, and steal away to a cer-
tain corner in tlie pantry, to take a jieej) at the
object of her thcmghts. There, on a little
sludf close to a small window lay tlui Pil-
(jriirts ProrjrcsH ; slu! would take; up tin; treas
ured book, read a little here and there, turn
the ])ages over and over, and seem delight('(i
with the engravings. There was the poor
pilgrim, heavily laden with his pack between
his shoulders, leaving hous'', wile, and chil-
<lren to iiee from the'^ " City of Destruction."
Then he was seen toiling uj) tiiehill toward tin;
little "wicket gate." There w;is" Vanity Fair,"
"Christian and Evangelist," and other such
pictures at whii-h sh(! ajjpeared to be never
tired of looking ; auvi she would gaze in admir-
ration at the plate which represent(Ml the Pil-
grini with his heavy pack conversing with
" (iood Will," at the arched gate, over which
was Avritten, " Knock, and it shall be oiimeil
unto you;" while on a tower, at on(i side,
could be seen l^eelzebub witli bow and arrow,
l)ut like wing, and crooked forked tail, re.i.ly to
shoot down ))il<.n'inis ere they entered, or. as in
the words of IJnnviin. "From tlii'uce both he
and they that are with him shoot arrows at
those tluit come up (o tlie gate, if happily they
may die before they enter in."

Thus it was witU Hannah ; while other
damsi'ls similarly situated would leisurely
survey Ijieir good looks in some pi(>ceof loo];-
ing glass, jirivately stowed away, slu;, on the
cotilriirv. only went to consi.!*. her fiivorite
John bunyan. Often, when she was in the
midst of such a turn-out, Mr. Manners with

Maiy would steal on tip-toe and watcli tho
operations unobserved from behind a door, or
from some other fovorable spot. lie would
humorously say, that Hannah's particular
vice was that of scrubbing, and that neither
tin pans, nor britannia tea-jiots would live
out half their days through the scraping, rub-
bing, and polishing they were destined to
sutler under the intiuence of lier restless
arm.

But now Hannah's labors for the Aveek
were nearly brought to a close. Tho clean
cagt's and fluttering canaries were hung up,
pu'tures were replaced .:ven the shining brasa
])endulum of the clock in the hall seemed to
look laughingly at you through its j)olished
glass casing, wiiile it swung steadily to and
fro, as if determined to ])ull uj) for lost time.
Things were getting in order ; Mr. Mannors
might venture again into his study, and Han-
nah, still watched by William, could be seen
manfully backing in and dragffing to its
l)lace tlu^ great heavy kit(,'hen table, that one
would think held back as if it felt inclined
to put her to all the trouble it could.

" Well, 1 declare, if missus was hero, she'd
maki^ that good-for-nothing Robert help mo
in with this. H(>'s — he's always away when
lui's wanting." Then she put an air to this
verse of Bunyan's :

'" What danger is tho rilgrini inl how nianvarc his

(ov^ !
How many wnyM there are to shi no living mortal

i<n()\vs ;
Some in the rtitcli spoiled arc, yea, can die tuml)liiig

in till' inire :
Some. th(Mii:li tlicy ehun tho frying-pan, do leap into

tlK' lire.'

All me! just so; foes within and foes with-
out in this horrid world.

'Wlicii I can read my title clear

To i)a]aLis —'

Well, I ought to know that verso; but our
vil(^ nature is always a tliinking of some-
thing else.

'Hark I liow tlie \vat<linu'ii cry; attend the trumpet's
sdinul.
Stand to your anus ! tlio foe is niRli, tlie powers of
licll fuirround.'

Yes, if them fallen ang>ls couldn't stand
him, how can weV but — "

" Hannah, here comes Ma and l^obert,"
said Miss ]Mannors, entering the kitcluin.
Hannah had fortunately got through • th
present diliiculties ; chairs, tables, i... cup-
boards wer(i in their jiroper jilnce.., and
seemed to rest content that tiiey sliouhl not
get such another overhauling again for somo
time.

" Why, bless me, tnissus, how glud I nm
that you are back ; I am so <ilad you did not
come until I got ov(>r my hurry: and tluifo
goes that lazy fellow," .said she, as she saw
Bobert driving round to the stable.

" Hannah, pom- girl," said Mrs. Mannors, ten-
derly, as she looked around the shining
kitchen, " you have been doing loo much, too
much entirely ; you are, I am al'iaid. too anx-
ious about thtse trifling mailers and — "

"Oh! not at all, ma'am," broke in Hannah.
" Why, wi! were gelling in such a htiite hero
that I was ashanievl nivselt to look at tho

EXETER HALL.

dust and cobwebs ; but I thought, ma'am, that
you were fj^oinjif to wait lbs Mr. Caiiel."

" So I was, llunnah ; but we iK'ard to-day, at
Mrs. Baker's, that he was }j'*'"ff to call hesre
first on liis return from the circuit, and I
thoiijrht I would be homo to meet him."

Mary and William, and Flounce whiskinji;
li's bushy tail, now followed Mrs. Manners
from room to room. She soon encountered
Mr. Styles, who had called there that niornin -
to pay a short visit, and Mr. Manners, to -
terest his wile, told her that their visitor had
been formerly a travelinjif ajrent for the
American Bible Society; he know that Mr.
Styles could jriv<! her a {.^reat d(;al of informa-
tion about the state and i)rospects of rclicrion
in America, but ho was very careful for the
present not to shock her by relatiuff how the
same person had fallen away from his first
love.

Mrs. Manners was very much pleased ; she
fornret many other thini^s for the time, and
asked fifty dillerent (questions about the pro-
gress of Methodis!n in his native land ;
whether all the Indians and black men were
converted, and whether many of the American
saints were to be at Exeter Hall. Samuel,
having Uarned lu-.v tendencies from Robert,
was careful just then to say nothing which
might cause her to regret his presence at
ITampstead. Slu; told hini how pleased Mr.
Capel would bo to liavo an opportunity of
meeting him — he was a devoted minister, in
whom she liad great hopes. And then,
best of all, she assured Mr. Styles that, as ho
was just in tim(( for tlie great anniversary
meeting, he would learn at Ex<!ter Hall what
the Ih'itish Christians were doing, and what
sacrifices were annually made by them for the
circulation of the " Word," and for the con-
version of poor benighted heathens — she, of
course, ineant the foreign ones.

During that quiet forenoon, Mr. Manners
and Samuel had a long conver.<ation ; various
topics were introduci'd — the nunits of the re-
spective governnuMits of Great Britain and the
United States, the progressive liljerality of
id(!as, >ind the terrible rule of jiriestcraft
wliich still kept its icy gripe upon the gen-
erous impulses of the ])('oi)le of both coun-
tries, forcing tht; great majority yet to succumb
to the puerilities of a superstition which
would have been long sine eftrte, were it not
f(ir lh(! constant sup|)lies that it extorted.
Sanuwd related tlie evidi'uce he; had at llie
sale for church rates, and the instance of
])riestly intolerance, by describing the scene
«t tlu! cemetery. Mr. Manners was but too
familiar with such acts on the part of the
state paid ]iriests: and thouuh .\nu'rica is iih
yet almost free from sucli gross usurpation,
still, even intlie n(!\v world, there can be found
occasional inslanc.'es of the same sjiirit, one of
which Sainui I remembered to have taken
placi! i>t a churchyni'd in Pennsylvania.*

Among other things, h(^ was ])articular to
give Mr, Manmu's a more detailed account, (/f
his night adveiituri; in company with Uohert.
Ill' tuKi him they had seen Dr. Muster under
the archway, how tluy hajl followed him un-

♦ III Cheater.

til the carriage drove away after midnight'
and when he handed the ])aper which he be-
li(!ved the doctor had dropped, Mr. Manners
scrutinized it very closely, and pronounced the
writing to be Dr. Buster's.

" This," said Mr. Manners, with a slight em-
phasis, " may serve as an important clew to
his transactions. Ho has completely evaded
me for some time ; this very paper may, i)er
hapE, enable us to take the first step toward a
di^'^ovcry. Dr Buster is a jiopular man in
London, but he shuns me ; very few know him
as I do, and lie knows me. He is a saint to
some, while in truth, a monster of cruelty."

" I s.aw that ho recognized you yesterday on
the Strand, I kind o' think you'll not forget
the heavenly smile he gave you."

" No, not readily ; it is seldom indeed that I
can get an opportunity of seeing that gentle-
man, unless I choose to enter his church. I
never did the man any liaim, but I believe he
is a tyrant, and will yet commit some diabol-
ical act if he is not legally restrained, or hu-
manized by some other means."

"Just so, or by a trifling assistance from
brute force."

" Well, any suitable force, or any proper
means that will prevent him from accom-
plishing his purpose might almost be resorted
to ; I have learned, partly by mere chance and
partly from his own wife, that he persecutes
her, hates her, and will soon end her days, un-
less she fiads some deliverance ; and this I fear
ho will manage to do in such a way as to es-
cape; legal responsibility."

" That will be his game. But he must be
w.^tched, tracked, circumvented, and finally
S(pii'.?hed. You sec chance is against him ; it
has l(;d you to find one of his qcM.lities, it has
partly shown me another, and I want no bet-
ter pastime at proisent tlian a cltancc. to follow
him up until I can tree him sky high."

"Indeed, I think you will be an excellent
agent for that purpose ; and we shall try and
devise some plan to entrap him, for I have
long determined to stej) between him and
his victun. I only await the opportunity.
W(5 hav(i a wily, unscrupulous man to dcsal
with, and must be xovy guarded in ouv ap-
proaches, or h(! will d(>l('at th" liest laid plans.
He has caused it to be circulated thai his wife
has forsaken her children and himself; there
has not yet been a trace of her whereabouts,
but it has liecMi suspected by myself and a lev
others, that the unfortunate woman has been
deprived of her liberty, and from what you
have lately discovered I am strongly of that
opinion."

' W(>11, wo came upon him rather close, I im-
agine; he an't alone, though — he's got his
tools, male and femah^ Now, just give me
the credentials. I want to bc! a kind of walk-
ing gentleman, or any thing else that conioa
handy, for a month or two. This little cir-
cumstance interests me a trifle; just i)ut mo
on the track, and I'm etr." So saying, Mr.
[■■lyles ()uickly whiskcihone hand across tho
other, as if to illustrate the celerity of his in-
tended movements.

"I stated," continued AEr, Manners, "that
tho first knowledge I had of Dr. Muster's ill
troatiuent to his wife was by chance. About

■■«**.

< *5*

if::

|v,;fi

EXETER HALL.

■y

1*, .

two years aijo, I was crossinjr the Bristol Chan-
nel in a atoani packet ; it was during a fine
summer's nljjht ; several of the passengers re-
maincid on deck ; but as it grew later, one by
one went below, until I thoufrht I was left
alone. The air v.'as deliffhtfully fresh. I felt
no inclination for sleep, and, havinor paced up
and down for some time, I stretched myself
on a seat or bench close to the wheel-house
and was tryinor to compose myself, when I
heard a discussion between two persons on a
relifjious subject. They sat or stood around
a corner, out of my view, but I could hear
every word distinctly. A lady's voice asserted
thatKiufj David, of the Old Testament, was,
if any tiiinfr, a {jrcater monster of cruelty and
wickedness than either Moses or Joshua ; and
after recitinpf some of his murders, treachery,
and misconduct, declared that she could not
believe that a Supreme Beiu<; had ever con-
nived at such infamy, or declared that such
a wretch could be ' a man after his own
h(«rt.'

" A man's voice testily n.-plied that sucli
tliinjirs wer(f beyond our comprehension ; that
we must take the account as we found it in the
Bible. It was inspired, consequently correct ;
that whether David repented or not, God could
select whom ho pleased to work out his de-
sifjns ; he could make one vessel to honor
and anotlier to dishonor. David was refer-
red to in the Scriptures as a profjonitor of the
Messiah, whose coming was established by
prophecy. Prophecy was the thinj; that had
Hpread confusion among sneering infidels.

"The lady contended that these so-called
prophecies had no direct reference whatever
to a Messiah, and that even such a conclusion
Lad been formed by certain commentators.

The man then replied in a ])assionat(; ton
that such commentators avouUI meet damn
tion. and all who Ix^lieved as they did. He tlu
told her she had better give u]) the Bil^le al-
togetiier ; and he raised his voice sufliciently
loud to let me hear im])recationsand words of
anger, and then, after the lady had made
some rei)ly, I was startled by the'nf>i.so of a
heavy fall on the deck, and I ran to the spot
in tim(i to see the stout form of a num desct-nd
the cabin stairs and to assist in raising the
lady, who had evidently been thrust off her
feet. She was bleeding and was partly con-
fused, and she looked around and at me as if
(Jrcatly ashamed. I assured her that I was
tlie only person that knew any tiling of the
matter, that 1 had overheard tlie conversation
which led to such violence, and after having as-
sisted her to a seat, beggecl her to allow me
to get some water to wash away tli(> blood.
She thankfully d(M.']ined, she was anxious to
retire unseen, and, folding a shawl over her
face, ])('rniitted mo to lead her as far as the
cabin stairs. In about two or three minutes
afterwanl, the same stout ])erson came on deck
again, and, when he saw me, was, no 'loubt,
susi)icious that I had witnessed his unmanly
act. I stood near and watched him, and my
indignation at his conduct was so great tliat I
could not refrain from telling him tluvt he
ought to be punished for what he had done,
and that 1 wcuild inf(jrui the captain before

we left the vessel. It was sufficiently light
to e .ble nu' to see his features ; he made no
reply, but gave juc one angry look and went
quickly away.

" Upon inquiry next morning, I learned that
the person whom I recognized as the probable
aggressor was one Dr. Buster, and that the
lady was his wife. On her account, I did not
think it prudent to mention any thing about
the violent act which I was satisfied he had
committed. I saw that he tried to avoid me,
but when we arrived in London I Bto<3d at the
ship's side and watched him pass out ; he
recognized me and frown(ul, and as he strode
hurriedly away he left his wife to follow as
best she could.

" It Avas s(mie months afterward, and I had
almost forgotten the circumstance, when I
ha])])ened to read in one of the numerous re-
ligious ]iapers of the city that a course of
lectures on the Apocalypse and on the prophe-
cies of Daniel were to be d( livered by a cer-
tain Dr. Buster. The paper lauded his piety
and ability in the highest terms. The name
recalled the circumstance on the vessel, and,
curious to learn whether it was the sannj per-
son, I went to town and purchased a ticket. —
it was not a free lecture ; and as I loitered
outside the church-door, a carriage drove up,
out of which stepped the identical doctor that
I expected. He looked me full in the face ; I
saw a change of expression ; but he jmssed in,
determined not to know me, or to make mo
bt^lieve that it must have been some one
else — that he could do nothing derogatory to
his character as a minister. 1 was, however,
satisfied, and did not remain to hear the lec-
ture.

" You might have heard at the Red Lion
that there are a very great number of Secularists
in and about London. I profess to be one of
iliat class ; we have several halls and lecture-
rooms in which religious and utilitarian sub-
jects are freely discussed in an orderly man
ner. These discussions have beiju productive
of great benefit, and many church-members
and other persons, troubled with religions
doubts, or curious to learn our particular
views, attend such meetings ; somtitimes
privately, in onhjr to hear our objections
against Christianity, occasionally to try and.
refute them, and to a.-certain what wo think
on relative subjects ; for of course you are
aware, that so careful ar(! tlm ])riests of their
creed, in such dread do they hold free inv(!8ti-
gation, that books written against them or
their faitli are denounced, aixl their authors
calumniated. Among tluinuiny who attended,
there was one lady who appeared anxious to
remaiti uiduiown, and she niiglithave d(me so
were it not that she was recognized omi «'ven-
ing leavir,.; !,>•..]; 11 by some* d"Vout cliurch-
memb'.rs who were V. at'hing cnitside, for the
purp'.si r Mscovciiny who were falling
away an'' j'ov'n;.' r' i'i"i.>;.nt to the faith.
• •reatwijs il e sur^rite .len it was leanuni
ihat tl'o h.ily w,''H die wifoof one of the princi-
pal dissenting in'mirlcrs of the city, and true
to their mission tin- orthodox chMectives made
an immediate ie)i(irt to her husband ; and the
Kov. l>r. Uuster apiuared to be greatly d*^

EXETER HALL.

pressed, greatly humiliated, and in deep af-
fliction by this woeful proof of his wife's reli-
gious (lejifcneraey,

"As for her, slie had been lonj? susjjecledfjf
inditterence tocliurcli inattcrri. Cluirch-iroinfr
ladies said she was not like a niinistei's wife ;
slio was never sei-n lit prayer-nieetiufiH, never
at SundaN'-scliools, was no traclarian, did not
jret u|> niissioimiT tcirnieetinfrs, or, in fact,
iiite-i'st hiM'self in any of {\i(\ nuinrrous devices
for raisiuff nioiKiy for thesjjrcad of tlu'dospcl,
or to increase the blender resources of her
pious husband. She was known to be studi-
ous and thouo;htful,of iinin()uirin^r mind, and
very Ijcnevolent to sucb needy a])plicants as
craved more for actual food than they did for
the scriiitural 'bread of life,'

" In iier domestic capacity, she could not be
excelled. She had tvo children, and i)roved
herself a most affectionate mother; but alas!
her want of faith had robbed hen- of any love
her husband miobt have had for her, and
thouffh attectintr before members of his church
to be most consid(;rate toward her, it was
well known that his dislike {jrewstroutrer and
Rtronffer, until iit last his hatred made her
life miserable. It was then rumored that her
mind was atl'ected ; insanity could be traced in
ln>r family ; for the idea was considered most
absurd, to 8iip])oso that a person relifriously
l)rouo:ht up as she had been, carefully trained
in youth, and then daily and hourly the reci-
pient of spiritual knowledfre under the teach-
inpf ot such a husband, could ever ])ossibly be-
come Hke])tical while under the guidance of a
sound miu<l.

" There would be no great difficulty in tra-
cing the authorship of such a re|)uted mental
frailty. In difference to the feelings of the
reverend doctor, the rumor was charitably ac-
ce])ted as truth, butalas ! how uncharitably for
his wife. She well knew that this sul)terfuge,
if not counteracted, would accomplish her
ruin ; and as week after we(?k jiassed, when
she found herst'lf neglected, spurned, and
treatcid with contempt, she was almost on the
verge of de8])air. SShe knew there was but
little if any sympathy for unbelievers among
the positivi! class of C'hristians which were uu
der her husbands control, that at l)est she;
would be treated as a kind ft' monomaniac.

when she bethought

t'.io secularists; she

had heard of my nuui-j in connection with
S that organization, and 1 received througli the I
m po.st this letter." Hen! Mr. Manners took a
$1 letter from a small drawer, and read :

[| '"Dear Sin: One who is greatly iiersecu-

|-> ted on account of her religious ojiiuions, and !

[A who fi'ars actual violence, would wish to con- |

^'^' suit with you. An interview is imrticularlv j
de.sired. A letter addn's.sed t(» E. C. M., ob i
Totteuham Court Hoad, will reacli me. }

P.S. — If convenient, an ir\terview an 'IMuirs-
day lu'xt, betwei n two and live i'.>r , would
bo most suitable for nu'. A Fjuknd.

'"June nth.'

" I fient a reply I think t1ie same evening ; \
and on the folhiwing 'i'hursday I met her at i
the lioiise of a private friend, and I war. sur- j
prised to find that bIio was the » ery person |

whom I had so singularly met on the steam-
boat. She would not have recognized me
from that circumstance, but when 1 mentioned
I it, she again expressed lier thanks, and told
me that the treatmc.T.t which she had then re-
ceived was but the ccnnmencement of far
worse outragi's; tliat not only was she al)used
herself, but, to add to her agony, her liusband
would threaten and terrify the children, until
they actiuilly dreaded his approach. She said
it was evident that he wished to nuxke her out
insane, and unfit to be left without some re-
straint, lie liad already sent the children
away, and slie had good reason to fear that
some! (;vil toward herself was premeditated.

" I gavf^ Ikm' the l)est advice I coi.id at the
time, told her if any fuvtlur vtoUuce was
committed, or any probability of such, to
make her escape at once ; tluit I would leave
word with John lloUis, at the Red Lion, to
tak(j her under his protection, until In; could
send for mii ; and that afterward I would use
every possible method to .secure her from mo-
lestation. She was very grateful. I told her
that before I went home I would consult some
friends, and write to her more; fully next day,
and that I would meet her again in a week ;
but if any thing happened in the mean time,
she was to do as I had directed.

" I called on the landlord of the Red Lion
the same (ivening, and h»d evcny thing arran-
ged. I also mcit a few friends in town, and
related as much of the matter as was neces-
sary to enlist their protection in case it should
be required. Next day I sent her another let-
ter, and, at the appointed tinu; wl\en I called
again, instead of meeting the doctor's wife,
I actually met the doctor himself!"

" A very agreeable surprise, no doubt," said
Samuel.

" Not so agreeable as I could have desired.
With the coolest assurance he told nie that I
had brought a scandal upon the once fair
name of his wife, that my vile teaching had
corrupted her mind, and tliat lie sui)posed she
had already taken nd'uge in that very respec-
table rendezvous, the Red Lion, iu accordance
with my letter of instructions ; and liere to
my surprise he coolly unfolded the letter, and
I saw my own signature."

" I took a moment for reflection ; I supposed
that both she and 1 had been betrayed. The
woman in whose house we were, and who was
present during my interview with the doc-
tor's wife, was now absent, and I felt some-
what embarrassed by the awkwardness of my
])osition. I, how(>ver, replied that he must
know he was stating wluit was not correct ;
that I had but two interviews with his wife
in the course of my life — the first on board
the Hristol packet when he had abused her,
till' last but a week ago in that room. \Vhen
I mentioned that he had abused, or had struck
his wife.he jumix'd up and violently exclaimed
while holding his shut fist !)efore nie in a
tlireateniiig attiiude, " It's false, it's false, you
uev(!r saw me do it."

" ' Well, sir,' said I, ' if I ilid not see yon do it,
I heard somethiugof your violence, and T after-
ward saw the effects of your mode, of argu-
ment, and I now believ(^ that you intend to
follow up thai particular method ofcoi/ibHlinjj

4- "

iifi

A 41

fn'

'A ',.i\

t'f,

fci' ^

: I

EXETER HALL.

( .■» >'.'

error by persecuting one whom you should
clierish.'

" ' See here,' Paid he, liolding out my letter
at arm's Icnffth, ' I possieas in this damninjr evi-
dence ajfainst ?/(/iir principles of honor. If you
dare to deal in vile misrepresentations, I have
this fact to refute your atisertions, and your
honored name subscribed in attestation. Now,
proceed if you dare.'

" His teeth were clinched fast when he utter-
ed these words, and as he waved the letter
violently befori me, ho looked like one of
Milton's' fallen angels, or the impersonation
of S.itan himself.

" ' I know not what your threat means,' I re-
plied, ' nor how you may distort the meaning
of that letter ; but remember, you will yet be
held responsible for the crime you are about
to commit ; or, if tlie act has been already per-
IX'trated, there may be sufficient evidence to
test your religious scrui)les in a court of law.'
" ' You talk of religion or law,' said he,
giving the mock laugh of a fury, while his
eyes siiemed like skulking fiends ready with
some fulminating substance for my annihila-
tion. ' You, with an infidel heart and b(jdy
without a soul, you talk about crime ! Go,'
said he, pointing to the door, 'go rnd teach
virtue to the wretch who has sought your pro
tection, teach her myrc of your infernal prin-
ciples, until she is tit to graduate among a class
of Tom Paines, and Voltaires and 3oling-
brokes, and like them, die in the pangs of
remorse, and meet with their final damna-
ti(m.'

" If his curses were blessings in disguise, they
could not be more liarmless so far as I was con-
cerned. I saw what ho was driiting at, he
wished t<> make dic think that his wife had
left her h(mie, and tliat lie believed she was
un<ler \iiy protection. Before I went out, I
told him Unit 1 was not deceived, that I well
undeffilood his object, and that there might
be a reckoning between us at some future
day.

" How he became possessed of my letter, I
know not. Unfortunately, I did not keep a
copy of it, it was written in haste, but I am
not aware that there was any thing in it that
could compromise me. I think I recommend-
ed her to leave her prison-like home for a time,
and tiuit I wcnild see that she had suitabh!
protection from tin; designs of her husband. I
" Something must have happened to her ; I
never heard from her afterward. Since tiiat
time, it has been circulated that she left lier !
husband and children. Imjuiry was made for I
her among her relatives in Bristol, and search !
was made at other places, but no trace of her [
could be found. As she had sullicient means j
of her own, some of the i)ious ladies and I
members of her husband's 'congregation su])- j
pose that she is living ])iivati'ly with some i
friends, or jierhaps among the Secularists ; '
while many, outside the pule of the iloctor's
influence, think that lie lm« lU-r securely un- 1
drr luck :ind key, eitl'iiT to shorten her exis- 1
tejico, or force her to abjure the errors of un |
unl)elief wliieh I.iis brought .so much misery;
toiler, luit wliiili lins gaine(i so many ]irayers,
and f^o iiiiicli sympathy for him.

" 1 did not see the doctor j'.florward until tlie .

[ day we encountered each other on the Strand ;
you werc! a witness of that friendly recogni-
tion.! Tf I ever meet him again, it may be to
assist i i'<mvicting him of such inhumani-
ty as w truly exhibit the meaning of his
piety to Li,( world."

" Guess I'll try and meet liim again," said
Mr. Styles; " I tracked him once in the rain
and dark, but it didn't anujunt to much. I'll
try him again, and see if I can't trot him out
in broad daylight, so that his admiring IVnialo
saints, when they see his elegant qualities in
perfectio.j, may wish him away up out of
sight, with Elijah; or u|), or down, or any-
where else, but in the vi.-l vet-cushioned ]hi1-
pits they made so soft for him in the Presby-
terian churches of Londcjn."

CHAPTER XVII.

The evening sun sent its red beams slant-
ing down upon llampstead, and nearly
every window in Heath Cottage b!az(!d in the
nuldy light. Troops of children were at i)lay
by the roadsidt^ ami workmen, after having
l)artaken of their frugal meal, sat each by his
open door in the sunset, enjoying that calm
hour after the labors of the day. Lowing
cattle in tlie distant fields could be seen wind-
ing homeward, follow(!d here and tluire by
cheerful milkmaids carrying their white i)ai]s
while humniing sonu' favorite air as they went
along. A thousand birds sung and Muttered
in gardens and among (U'chard blossoms, and
the mellow notes of the thrush, and robin
could be heard, as if bidding farewell to tho
fading day.

It was a calm hour, <me which predisposes
for rest or for soothing thought. At such a
season, even care seems to loosen its hold, and,
under the milder influence, the heart which
has long been burdened with sorrow dreams
of hope again. In the tender light of eve,
nuunory loves to wander back once nu)re to
the mountain, or stream, or green Held of
youth, aiul the faces and smiles of friends of
earlier years return again to greet us.

Looking down upon llampstead — as Mr.
Capel now was from tlui brow of a snuiU hill
which he had just ascended — one might havo
lijigered a moment or two, as ho did, to
survey tin; rich landscajui spread out before
him. The view olitained was very attractive,
and while musing ujmui the variety of com-
binations which formed the natural ))icture,
tho y(»ung preacher forgot teinjiorary troubles,
and his nu-mory also wanilere<l — but not to ii
vi'ry rtsmote period — neither was his fancy
as excursive as at t)ther times. He glanced
at the village church with its ivied walks,
glowing windows, and old gray steej)le ; at
houses and gardens, fields and mansions ;
at the shadows on the diniaut hills, and then
back again to Heath C(jttag»', wheit; his eytiS
riiinained fixed. He couUl ga/e without
tiring tm that ([uiet >pot ; it wa.-«the principal
oi)ject in the ))icture to him, ami, wliih; lhii.H
looking, he, thought of its inmates, mmI of
their diilerenl cluirachMS ; of the crethdous
visionary, Mrs. Muuuors, of her gtaii'rous,

EXETEll HALL.

{

noble-minded husband, and of one other, to
whom his tlioajrlits would stray ev<;n while
he tried to keep them confined to the nit^ntal
problems whic.li often kei)t him restless and
v/averiuiy. lie could not but admit that
were all the matrons to become like Mrs.
Mannors, there would be a sad retrojjression —
she could now boast of havinjr become more
alienated from the world, and it was evident
that her worldly affairs, as far as she was
concerned, were to be allowed to take care of
themselves. What a contrast, betwet'U her and
the reasoninf? utilitarian, Martin Mannors !
It was his desire so to im])rove matters in this
sublunary s:ate as to nuike every human be-
iny: as happy as possible. ^Vere there more
of his kind, the query arose, whether mankind
would or would not be better prepared for a
futuic existence than they are now, under the
influence of a class who formally denounce
" pomps and vanities," but Ix'ueath whose
Bway for centuries crime has so increascnl, and
liuman misery become! so extended. And then
ho thoufjflit, were the " an<rels of lioht " as
pure ami nolih; and as disinterested as the
anfrel within that dwellinjj (but he shrunk
from the i)i()fane idea) that heav(>u would be
more worthy of his aspirations.

" Beirorra ! Harry, but you're in a brown
Btudy," said a friendly voice, almost at his
elbow. " ^i^'aith, if preaching adds such a
lamblike expression to your countenance, you
may expect it to approach downriji'ht sheepish-
ness by flie time you're fit for the apostolic
Swaddlers to lay hands upon you."

Mr. Capel turned suddenly round, and was
Bur|)rised to see his old friend, the I?ev. Father
Thomas Mctilinn, with his cheerful red face,
sittinp: in a 0ix, surveyinjj; him from head to
foot, while a jrood-uatured smile lit up his
jovial countenance.

" Why Fath(!r Tom, I'm very, very pflad to
Bee you."

" I know you are. Harry, but you blush like
a ffirl. Sure, you don't mind what 1 say. I'd
blush tof), I thinlc, if 1 had such a pair of sad-
dle bags daufrling behind me. IJarring them
things, you put me a good deal in mind of
your p )or father, Uod rest his sowl !"

"Amen, Father Tom. I know you and lu;
were great friends, and I ofren wished to see
you. I went down the other day to find you,
but I heard you had gone* over to Ireland for
a few days. I was so sorry 1 didn't know of
your Intention sooner."

"Faith, I wish you had, \mt I went off in a
liurry. I got a letter stating that poor Billy
Doolan of Biackpoul was in the last stage of
consumption — y(»u knew my cousin Billy —
and sun- the divil a one but my own four
bones would do him to administer Extreiiw
Unctiiiii to him ; well, if it did the poor
crayther any good, I don't begrudge the
trouble."

" I kiu'w poor Billy well, and am glad you

' went to SIM) him; it was jiwr lik<' what you

would do. Father Tom ; but you ciiri scarcely

doubt the etlicacy of your own rites'.'" said

Mr. ("apel, looking with atfcted 8iir|trise."

" Oil ! no, oh ! MO, not tlir h'ast,"siiiii I'^ither
Mc()llini\, giving a slight cough, whil' the
tips of his cheeks hecame if possible a little

redder than iisnal. " You know I sometimes
talk at random, Harry ; your poor fatluT knew
that. Tliere's but one true church, and what-
ever she directs is right." He sjioko these
words in such a manner as if intended to reas-
sure himself. " But, Harry, different as our
creeds or calling may be, you and I must never
discuss religion. There was a solenm agree-
ment of the sanu^ kind between your father and
myself, and, faith, it worked well — anyhow he
didn't bother his brains much about hell or
heaven or purgatory, and God knows I wish
we had more like him."

"I wish there were more like him, I ^ish
there were. Father Tom. I think of him now
oftener tlian ever, and oh ! how I many a time
have wished that some Christian men and
ministers had even the hearts of so-called
pagans, what a gain it would be for humani-
ty !" Mr. Capel's eyes ahuost filled with tears
as lie said this, and Father McUlinn startid at
him a moment or two in evident suri)riso.

" 'Pon my sowl, Harry, but that smacks a
good deal of your lather ; you've got his
features, and I think you're rising to his ideas.
Go on that way a little longer, (iric/i, and
you'll know something of the Bull in cmna
'j)o)inni, at least the Methodist interpretation
of it. But tell me, Harry," continued the
priest, in a tone of great kindness, " do they
use you well Y where do they keep you ? and
is tliat what you're at evi-ry day V sakl he.
pointing significantly to the horse and saddle-
bags.

" Not every day ; I have just been over the
circuit. I left here about ten days since, and
am now returning. I may not go out again
for another wec^k — perhaps longer ;" and the
priest noticed the troubled look which almost
forced him to articulate the words — " perhaps
never."'

" I fear they don't use you well," interrupted
Father McGIinn. " The English don't like us,
Harry — never will like us — they haven't the
same warm feelings that we liave. The rave-
nous clergy of the Establishment have robbed
and plundered poor Ireland until there's little
left, and take my word for it they're going to do
the same here, or I'm much mistaken ; though
there's some hr.pe, as the Chartists aren't all
dead yet. But tell me, how do they treat
youV"

" Indeed, Father Tom, I cnn't complain of
bad tvemtment ; on the contrary, I have found
the i)eople very kind. "I'is true they e'lhibit
their friendship in a difierent manner from
what our country people do, but, so far, 1 have
nothing to say against English hospitality —
nothing indeed. But, Father Tom, don't you
think the clergy of one church would he just
as bad as those of another, either for Ireland
or for this country, or for any other country —
that is, if they all had the sanu' chance — all
Oh an e<iuality V I've thought ilie matter over-
lately, and I am inclined to this oi)iinon."

" Lately, have you," said Fatlnr McGlinr^
musing ; " and do you include tlie Uanters and
Swaddlers among the rest'.' You know ire
look upon these as bastards — upstarts — but
faith they're beginning to liold np their heads,
as high as thi' l)est ol' us — the Swaddlers are
at any rate. Sure it's only the other day I,

■^^

'MX '

^, I-

'--»...

li- '<i

EXETER HALL.

c--'

heard of— ocli ! bother — what's his name — I
can't think of it now — but, anyway, a chap
that calls liimself a ' Metliodist^j^/Aw/;,' niarch-
injjf into his conventicle with all the airs of n
cardinal, and steppiiifj up into his elejjant pul-
pit decked in fj(nn)i, and hirmls. ^Vhy, (jod
bless the mark ! I would ju8t as soon exj)ect to
Bee a Quaker in re<^inientals. Now, with all
their mock hunulity, and sanctity, and their pity
for the deluded of Knfjland and Rome, only
give these same creatures wealth and nuiulxMS,
and theu, cccc sif/iuiin, they actpiire the clerical
animus, aud tlu; inllated Swaddler who nuiy
ha«! be<)un lile on a kish of turf now turns
up his nose if you call him a ' prcacJier,' and
hobbles into the sunli<rht as a ' reverend cler-
gyman.' What d'ye think of that V"

" You art- very severe ! but 'tis too true — too
true — all from the same ppirit of arroffance.
J3ut,Fatlier Tom,'' said Mr. Capel, after a pause,
and suddenly chan<rin<jr the conversation, " I
want to have a lon^>', lon<r talk with you some
day. I do not hesitate; to say to you that you
are fi.r better informed on many subjects than
I am, and there are many questions which
have troubled me lately — problems which
you may be al)le to solve, and doubts which
perplex me very much, that your su])erior
knowledfje may remove. I'm not afraid to
tell this to you."

"Questions, problems, doubts, all troublinrr
you, "and lately too. Pray," ' said Father
Mclilinn, strai^hteninfj himself up, and as-
sumintf to be very'^^mrticular, " do the,se
partake of a scit-ntitic, nii^taphysical, or theolo-
gical tendency V if of the two former, I shall
have mucli pleasure in a rehearsal with j'ou ;
if of the hitter, of course you would not con-
sult me — a I'apist." And here the priest made
a low bow of mock humility.

" I will consult you," said Jfr. Capel eafjer-
ly — "'I will know what you think. 1 would
rather ji'o to you, P'ather Tom, than to the
Archbishop of Canterbury. My duuhts nre
theological, and I know you will set me ri<>fht,
if you can. 1 will go to you ; 1 would ratlier
confess to you, now, than to any one else in the
world."

"^V(■11, then, my child," said the ])riest,
B])eakii)<f very tenderly," if you confess tonif^,
you \\\\\ be sure of my ] oor a])Soluiinn ; siicli
aa It is, you shall have it, and then," said he,
in a low, contideutitd tone, '• I may make a
more startling confession to yon. But who is
to absolve meV \Vlu)V You will. Ay, but tin-
Pope won't. You must never doubt liin iorm
of truth; if you do, you're damni'd ! Ah I
Harry, twenty years ago f learned some of my
doubts IVoni your ])<)or father, and I liave car-
ried them along with me ever sin<'e ; and I sup-
pose I shall forever and ever."

"Father 'I'om," saifl Mr. ''npel after a mo-
ment's pause, " when can 1 sec you after to-
day V"

"When? Any time you like, almoKt. Pome-
times they send nn- out to jnils and ])ris(Uis,
and such places; for i in no gi'eat iavciite
will) the bisb(![), and he adds tliese appoint
menls, I suppose, by I he way of [lenance.
Milt I don't mind knoekiiig iiliout in the Cnsh
air, if I hadn't to visit cells, nndglooiny places,
uuioug criminuls aud half idiots. Pll tell you

Ilarrv, could you rido out with mo some

day v'"

" I could. What day do you say V"

" I d(m't know yet, until I get l)ack. If
you come to Moorfields, ten chances to ono
but we'd have half a dozen ])riests around us ;
and as they are a little suspicious of mo at
times, they'd 1)emore so if they saw me cheek by
jowl with you and your white; choker ; lavt<
that thing ott'. No, Harry, 'twould be a bad
place for a priest and a Swaildler to mec^t."

" Nanus your day, then. Father Tom. Wo
can ride, I would prefer it."

'' Let me see — Monday, Tuesday .Wednesday.
Where do you live, Harry "^ herealiouts, some-
where, isn't' it? I think we may try 't on
Friday. You'd have no objection to a beef-
steak <m that day, neither woe.ld I for the
matter of that ; but we must, keep this to our-
selves. So we can have a long chat and a
beelsteak and trimmings somewhere in town
in the evening, eh ?"

"That will b'j excellent. Friday will
answer me better than any otlur day next
week. See, there's where; my temporary home
is. Father Tom." And Mr. Capel pointed to
Heath Cottage, with its burnislied window,s,
fine shade trees, and pleasant garden ; and
just as they wereadndringlhe cheerful home-
stead, the sun's liiigt 'ing rays struck tho
spray of the little fountain, forming a beauti-
ful tiny rainbow% and now and then as the jet
gushed higher, it seemed to beckon a welcome
to ]Mr. Capel and his I'riend, Father Tom.

"Heath Cottage, you call it. Well, noAV,
may I never, but if I was going to choosv! a
snug little spot where I could spend the re-
mainder of my days, I woiihln't want a sweet-
er little idace than that. 'Pon my sowl, per-
fectly ch-'rming." And the good jjriest put
up his hand to shade his eyes, in order to get a,
better view. " Why, Harry, how in (iod's
name did you strike ui)on th.n.t place? Tho
owner is. of course, a Swaddler? Do I know
him? What's his name?"

" It is all what it appears to be, Fatlier Tom ;
it is better even inside, and you will wonder
that its owner is not a Methodist nor a Swad-
dler, as yon call them; in religi<ius matters,
he is something like my falher; but hiH wife,
Mrs. Manuors, is a Melliodist, and — ''

" Mrs. what V" eagerly interrupted the priest.
" Mrs. Manners, did you sav ?"

" Yes, Mrs. Mannors, wife of Martin Man
nors, or, as he ought to be cr1l>'(l, the /loiior-
alilf Martin Mannors, one of the noblest men
living."

'J'he pri( st looked at liis friend in blank
amazement, and then repeated slowly, "Tlie
h.onorablo Martin Mannois, of Ham])Stead,
C^min.'Uider in Chief of the Secularists in and
about f jojhIou, and Uieat Higli-I'ri. st of the
same :" And then, still looking at Mr. Capel,
be gavi' a long, low whistle, so ludicri>Uo that
Mr. Ca]iel actualb laughed alo\id.

"() faith! yol' r;ay laugli, via }i*ntrhiil, butt
he's got you. I've heard of that name before,
and if that's the siinu; Martin Mannors that
shines in the; ]Si(ti(Hi((l Utforiii('i\iiw\ in tho
Wcntiniimtt'r. occasionally, no wonder you'd be
troubled with doubts and problems. Why,
num, fofiM'li-lib l"i?'i"'»' wrilia- against church-

EXETER HALL.

mo some

hack, if
■la to ono
ronnd us ;
of iiH! at
t'C'licok by
kiT ; lav(»
1 1)11 a bad

lll(!0t."

'oiii. Wo

odnesday.
ut8, soiue-
try H on
to a beef-
I for tlio
lis to our-
uit luid a

in town

day will

(lay next
rafy home
)oiiU('d to

windows,
■den ; and
•lul homo-
truck tho
r a boauti-

as the jet

1 welcome
Foni.
r'el], now,

choos>) a
id the re-
it a Hweet-
sow], per-
>nost pnt
■r to pi^t a
in (lod's
ce? The
)i) I know

liorTom ;

II wonder
r a Swad-
s niattcrB,
t his wife,

tlic priest.

ptin Man
lie honor-
lilcst Dion

in Ida/ik
,iy, '• Tlie
miiiptcud,
>ts in )iii(l
st of i1k<
Ir. Cape I,
r»ua ttiaX

rial, butt

ic before,
noi'H that

III in tho

N'Oll'll 1)0

^' Why,
A (;lnircli-

en an'l creeds, he can't he surpassed in Lon-
don, nor may be, in all Eiijjland. He's mur-
der all out, when lie betjlns."

It wa.s Mr. Capel'sturn now to he surprised ;
not that ho was unac(iuainted with the i)ecu-
liar opinions of his host on the subject of re-
gion, but he liiul never heard of him as a
leader or writer, and lu; assured the priest
that a more unassuming person ho had never
met.

" Tliat's tlio man, Harry ; not a hit of pre-
tension about him — but och, munler ! lui's
down on the whole of us, root and branch.
I've never seen lilni, b;'*, I know this from a
particular friend. And bad luck to half the
clerical thick skulls, instead of facinff him
like men and refutinjr his fair arfrumeiits,
they try to attack his character ; but, by all
accounts, that's beyond their reach, and they
can't do with him y(>t as they have done to
Paine and others. Well now, 'pon my sowl,
priest and all as I am, I'd like to meet him.
True (renins has a passport to every heart,
whatever its character."

"Fatlier Tom, there is nothinff I would
like better than that you should fjet acquaint-
ed with him. You will be very much i)leased ;
drive on with me, and if he's at home, you
shall have that gratification in less than five
minutes."

They drove up to the garden-frate, and Mrs.
Manner.-*, being as usual on the look-out for
Mr. C'apel, saw him outside, accompanied by
anotlu.'r i)ers()n whoso clerical habit, as lie
stopped out of the gig, rather puzzled her.
The prie>Jt wove his so'itnne, over which, wIkmi
driving, he drew on a liglit or heavy outside
coat, as the w<'ather might re(iuire. Mrs.
Manners tin i-efon; did not venture out, but
Robert caiue to take charge of the horses ;
even he also fi'lt nonplussed as to the rcjal
character of the ])riest, and at last concluded
that he must be some great man among the
Methodists, or some novel importation from
"abroad" to delight the vision of Mrs. Mai.-
nors and otlier pious sisters at Exeter Hall.

" 'Pon my word, Mr. Manners," said the
priest, after tlie introductions were over, " I'm
very hn|)])y, very hapi)y indeed to meet with
on(! BO distinguished as yourseli', and I am
entirely indebted to my friend Mr. Capel for
this unexf»ected pleasure." And the honest
red face of tJie Itev. Mr. McXJlinii was beaming
witji smiles, while he continued to look witli
admiration upcm tho genial countef-i'.nco of
^^i•. Manners.

" Yon flatter me, Mr. Mcfilinn, indeed you
do; but i'jiltery from a clergyman, to one iioi
so distinguished, but rather so noted as I am,
ought to he, and really is very gratifying. It
is a rare pleasure for me to be honored with a
visit from eitlier priest or parson, except in
the case (,f our friend Capel ; and I shall
treas'-in^ this event as one worthy of par. Icular
record."

Mrs. Manners had only just then entered
the i-ooui ; and her husband, upon pre.-^enting
Mr Mc>'>liiin, stated tliat he was a Kninan
(^"iitholic ]ii' -'t. and a very intimate friend of
Mr. Cajx't. Had some wi.ked imp ((uickly
tluMist a pin into her arm, she could not hav(i
held back more suddenly, fcsheluid almost as

great a passion for reading Fox's Book of
Alaii>/r's as Hannah had for reading John
Bunyan ; and as her prejudice against I'opeiy
was very strong, she really fancied that there
was nothing Um perfidious for a Romish jiriest ;
and to meet one thus so unexpectedly in
her own house produced the violent nervous
etl'ect — actual dread.

Scarcely one present, not even Mr. Man-
ners himself, could suppress a smile. Mr.
Samuel Styles had to cough quickly and
loudly several times to ke(>p from bursting
into an open laugh ; and the farccal expres-
sion on tlw! jiriest's face just meant as much
as if he had said, " Don't be afraid ; indeed, I
won't eat you at all, at all, ma'am !"

Ill a moment or two, however, she hecame
reassured, and having bowed politely, forced
herself to utter sonu! expressions of satisfac-
tion ; but the tantalizing burden remained on
her mind, how Mr. Capc^l, a jireaclier of tho
(Jo.sjiel, could bt! really and truly the intimate
friend of a Popish i)riest. After a glass of
wine, and the interchange of a few common-
place remarks, as it was getting late, the
l)riest reluctantly said he should have to leave ;
but he received a warm invitation to pay
anotlier visit, and he took his departure, men-
tally flinging his best blessing on the head and
shoulders of Mr. Mannors and upon his Avhole
household. As lie drove oft' alone in tho
fast waning sunlight, he felt delighted at
having crossed by chance such a flowery, friv-
grant oasis in the dreary desert of his clerical
life.

During Mr. McGlinn's stay, he made in-
quiries about some (dd friends residing in
Philadelphia, whom Mr. Styles happened to
know, and made some flattering observations
o;i the prosjierity of the great republic ; and
when Samuel, in return, thought to gratify him
with an account of the immense Catholio
cathedral in course of erection in that city ; of
the great wealth of the hierarchy of his
C'hurch in the United States, and of the in-
fluence which the Catholic body exercised
throughout tin; country, he was surprised at
the indifference manifested by Mr. McOliun,
and set him down as an exception to the
general rule among Catholic clergymen.

" Father McUlinn is an oddity," said Mr.
Capel, in reply to arenuirkof Mr. Styles; "he
is looked on by his own people as very ec-
centric and independent, but he is a great
favorite, and a more charitable man does not
exist ; his kindness in this respect is never
regulated by creed, color, or country."

'■ That's an admirabhs trait," said Mr. Man-
nors. " If liis face be the representative of his
heart, his generous impulses will n(>ver bo
circumscribed by such ideas. !!(> would never
make an inquisitor; I iiojie we shall meethira
soon again.''

" >.rr.-;. .Miiniiiir.^ cc.ihl attend to rtf)hon«(»hold

all'airs that evening; and while her husl)and

wa.-: engaged in a conversation with Mr.

! Styles, she drew Mr. Cajnd toward a seat

j near the back window of the room, where

I they could chat more (|uietly, and asked him

' fli'ty (|uestioiis about priests and Catholics,

and about the state of religion on the circuit.

She told him all the local news concerning

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EXETER HALL.

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clnss-moctinpB, praypr-meetinfrs, tea-mcotinprs,
and expected revivals, and what she antici-
pated at Exeter Hall ; told him about a con-
troversy which had been coniinenced on
the subject of baptism ; how Mr. Baker, when
he returned from the district meetlnjr, would
overwhelm the immercionlHts ; said sonit -
thiiijj of Dr. Cumming's now exposition of
Daniel's vision of the ram and he-pfoat ; and
then related a curious dream wliich she had
liad tliree uifrhts in succession, and in which
he and Mr. Mannors were the jjrincipal actors ;
and liow her liopes wi'ro prrowinj'' 8tron<rer
and stronger that lier husband should soon be
clothed in his right mind, and ^v.t rid of the
dt>lusion of unbelief.

Mr. Capel listened to these desultory reci-
tals with patience ; he made but few remarks,
lie knew she would be more content if he
sat and heard all she had to say ; and while
she tried to make him feel intenwtrd with her
religious burden of eccentricities, his mind
was preoccujned with other matters. H(!
thought of Father M(;Cilinn, and < )f the shadows
of skef-ticism which were already closing
around him ; a little longer, and ho too might
fall, to be maligned and despised by those w iio
nov.' held him in such resi)ect. Then lie re-
flected upon his own condifinn ; how waver-
ing, how undecided. Should he yet be sub-
jected to the scorn of the " iaithful '" ? What
would Mr. Baker say to ]dm'l how should he
ever again hold up his head and be called an
apostate, a renegade, a wretch ? Then there
came a little gleam of hope ; how many thou-
sand of the learned and intellect iu>l in all
ages had given their assent to Christianity,
never doubting the Bible or its teachings.
He must try and resist this growing incredu-
lity, he must abandon those speculations, and
curb the towering pride of his reason. How
many in the heyday of health and prosperity
hii ■ i)rofessed to n^ject inspiration but to sub-
mi i and bewail their error in a dying hcmr.
He knew there were such ; but then again, he
knew that the reputed death-bed scenes of
Paine, Voltaire, and others, which had mnny
times made him shudder at a doubt, were uit
gross fabrications oi" unprincipled men. who,
like other priests in all ages, believed that if
truth could be advanced by the aid of a lie, it
would be proper to do so. Then again, how
uncertain .was this death-bed testimony ; how
many instances were there at such times of
Protestant converts relapsing to Catholicism,
and of men in.evory age and country acce])t-
ing, in the feebleness of senility, the very
errors which they had rejected under the
influence of a sound mind.

The shadows of evening fell ttpon the
pombre features of Mrs. Mannors, as she look-
ed with indifference ui)on the sleeping Howers
beneath her window. She had ceased speak-
ing, and seemed in one of her pious reveries,
and sat, listless and languid, with passionless
face, like one weary, very weary of herseif
and the whole world. Just then her busy,
joyful daughter flitte<l into t)i(i room lik(! a
ray of light ; she was follow(>d by her brother ;
and Mrs, Mannors, having kissed thi; delicate
cheidv of her little son, led the way to the tea-
table ia the a«xt room.

Half an hour afterward, and before Miss
Mannors had time to commence one of Jier
favorite; pieces, Mr*<. Mannors remarked, wlien
they had reassembled in the ])arlor:

"Oh! you have not heard all that Mr.
Styles has to say about America. Yon nmst
hear nil he has to tell us of the missionaries
and w,ld Indians, and what the (i()si)el has
done for the poor black men in his native land.
He has traveled for tin; Bible Society, and
knows every thing about those interesting
matters." And she led Mr. Capel toward Mr.
Styli'.s, and looked delighted to see her hus-
band apparently so interested in private con-
versatiim with the American strangiT. What
a positive miracle she thought it was now
to see Mr. Mannors entertaining a minister
of the Oospel, and the agent of a Bible Soci-
ety, Even the presence of a Catholic priest
would be evidiMice, lunvever trifling, that her
husband had yet wime regard for ndigion.

" Mr. StyU's nmst know a good deal ; he
could even tell your priest friend, Mr. Capel,
what they were doing to advance the interests
of his church — that terrible Popish system.
The cathedral they are putting uj) iu Phila-
de]])hia must be a wonderful building. What
a pity to waste so much money in an endeavor
todehuh; so many poor ignorant peoiibM"

" Guess it is, ma'am," said Samuel Styles,
with great sincerity ; "just see what good
might be done lor the ])oor with the ])ile of
dollars which it will retjuire to conqdete the
building Fancy one ndllion thrown away —
yes, worse than thrown away, for such a
purpose. But Philadelphia, like Ne'"-York
and other American cities, is a great jdace for
churches, and ministers, and misery. Some
of the preachers contend so hard with sinners,
and, said he parenthetically — so often with
each other — during the cold dreary winters,
that by tlie time summc^r comes round they
are used u]), and then the ladies go about
among the converted and collect money
enough to send the broken-down ministers
away upon an Euro])ean tour to r(>cover their
health and appetites. Then, when tliey get
back in the fall, ready for another brush with
the enemy, the women folks go amund again,
and get more money to buy what they call a
service of plate — that is, a silver tea-])ot and a
lot of cuj)S and saucers — toencourng<' them to
worlc harder, and stmietimes your tip-to]) men
get a gold watch or two thrown in. These
wimien are charitable to the ministers; if it
wasn't for them, I guess the preachers would
once iir a while come out at tlu; small end —
guess it's a kind of so all the world over.
While the nu'u squabble; and make money,
the w(mien take care of the church. "'•'

" You see," said Mrs. Mannors approvingly,
" that the Lord often chooses tlie weak things
of the world to confound the wise. He, in
his own peculiar way, sejects the weaker ves-

* A rolisions paper— the Npw-York Amha.vtadnj; of
AuK- 10, 1;-Im, stilted tli;it the Fifth aveniio 1'rcsb.yterLin
<'hur('h, Xi'W-York. hiid presented tlirir Itito pustor,

I{ev. N. L. K , with a purse of twenty-flve tliouKiuul

dollars, and also one year's salary of six llionsand dol-
lars; that this poor, worn-out pastor liad jiurehased a
farm near Ne\y I5ruiis\vick, N. J., where Lc hitcndcd
to recruit his heaUh.

EXETER HALL.

bpIb, tlip Marys and the Marthas, to effect

hiH ^n'ut puriioscs."

"Just so, nui'utn. If the women don't rank
equal to tlio ministers in church usefulniss, I
kind <»' ^uess they follow immediately next."

" So they do. TIk; Lord has made his Imnd-
niMids serviceable ; f hope he will continue to
do so unto the end."

" YcN, ma'am ; the I nitod States has made
great strides in relipjious matters ; but here I
think you are yet a leetle ahead of us just
yet. You know we've ^^ot no 'stat<- church,'
but, Lord bless you, we've p'ot pious edifices
at cvt'ry street-corner — splendid ones too ; tjio
wlioli; country is studded with them, aln 'st as
thick as tonil)stf)nes in a trraveyatd. W<
liave now about fifty-four thousand clinrches
in the United States, valui'd at one 1 .mdred
and seventy-two millions >.r dollars, jit!l'i> lino-
accommodation for nin<!teeu ''.lilliou '" i-
frons. Why, in New-York itself, there tre
over three hundred cliurches of all kinds,
which to Pupjiort, inclnc'infr miuisti.'rs' sala-
ries, costs rbout one million dolhi i s per annum.
jAIany of these churches are richly endowed,
producini;, accordinjr to a careful estimate?, an
annual income of eifrhteen millions of dulhirs
— all, too, froe from any kind of tax. Trinity
Church alone is jiossessed of vast wealth.*
Then we have a spiritual army of over fifty
thousand well-paid ministers, fjoinjr to and fro
throu<rhout the land, preaching and prayinjj ;
yet poverty and crime, cs)>ecially in cities and
amouff churches, is on the in crease ; and thoujih
ministers use all their influence to have mu-
seun is, public libraries, and ])lacQS of amuse-
ment shut up on the Sabbath day, yet not
more than one sixth of the population can be
induced to attend a place of worship. They
once tried in Phihidelphia to jMit a stop to
travelin<r on Sunday, by putting chains across
the streets in front ot ihurch doors, and even
now they oljject to let a stre(jt-car run on that
(iay — the poor man must walk, while tin; rich
can drive with impunity ; but the multitudes
won't be forced, and the churches are no bet-
ter filled than usual ; still they go on build-
ing more, but with the same result ; and un-
believers boastfully say that the money it
costs to erect stylish sanctuaries f and pay an

* With respect to the vast -wealth of Trinity Church,
New- York, an American paper gives the following
Item of news :

" The Claim of Trinity Church, in New-York City, to
about SIXTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS worth of real estate
Is about to be tested in the Courts of that State.

is one of the counsel for the heirs of Annckc

Jans who claim the proptTty."

After readinc; tills, one is almost forced to rub his eyes,
to see if he be not deceived ; but the fact is too notorious.
Tlie characteristic j^reed of the Cliristian craft has en-
abled even that one church to monopolize enough to
furnish a home for every poor family in the great
State of >Jew-York ! O shame ! where is thy blush "c—
Au//ic}'.

tPAsmoNABLE CnuBCHES.— A writer in the Atlanl'c
Monthly, for January— says : '• The design of the fasli-
lonablc chtu'ch-buiUler nf the present moment is to
produce a richly-furnisliod, quietly adorned, dimly-il-
luminated ecclesiastical parlor, in which a few liun-
dred Indies and gentlemen, attired in kindred taste, may
sit perfectly at their ease, and see no object not in har-
mony witli the scene around tliem. Every thing in
niid around the church seems to proclaim it a kiiid of
e:;c)iisive ecclesiastical club, designed for the accom-
modation of persons of ten thousand dollars a year and
upward."

army of preachers would be more than suill-
I cient to banish every trace of ])overty from the
land; that the money which is annually
siiuandered ftir religious purposes wctuld i,o
more tliaa ain]>lo to provide homes for the
homeless, and food and clothing lur all in
need ; thus reducing motiv(!s to crime, and in-
creasing a general coutontnient and mo-
rality." *

Mrs. Mannors felt a little suri)rise at such
aUmissions from Mr. Styles, anJ seemed
doubtful as to the propriety of this lode of
upholding rel.ginn in the? ])resence of uer hus-
band. He and Mr. C'ai)el sat quietly by, liis-
tening with great interetst to the recital ; and
she came to the rescue by saying that she
thought sucl) facts were the best proof of the
depravit-.' u\ he human heart in resisting di-
vine grace. It was so all the time. Some will
iiever do more than ask, " What shall we eat,
what shnll we drink, or wherewithal shall we
bcclothidV" As long astluir iierishing bo-
dies are cared for, they feel indiflercnt about
providing for their immortal souls.

" But," said she, making a diversion, " you
can tell us aln it the Bibh; Society. 'J'he
American Christians get credit for great libe-
ralitv in ^i ing to circulate the glorious Gos-
pcd.''

" So they ought, ma'am," said Mr. Styles,
pulling out a little niemorandum-book. " I
guess there an't a race of jjcople on can li fiing
their money away faster than they do. Just
get steam u]) pretty well, make some loud
talk about ' the Book,' and then they go it
like a streak. I rather think T can give an il-
1 ustration of their excitability — guess it's about
the same in piety as in politics. The Ameri-
can Bible Society has done a good deal in its
jiarticular way. h\ about fifty years," said he,
consulting his memoranda, " they have col-
lected over ten millions of dollars, issued over
t IPC lit //-one millions of Bibles, and have ])ub-
lished over seventi/ editions of ' The Word '
in fort/j-three different languages ; and last
year again the society raised over aix hundred
thousand dollars !"

These tremendous fi.'^urcs made even Mrs,
Mannors gasp, and she brought her hands to-
gether in a ])erfect ecstasy. " Oh ! what inde-
fatigable men you must have in your native
land, what wonderful liberality, in such anew
country, Avhat a conscientious regard for the
Bible I Your nation must prosper. The Lord
loveth a cheerful giver."

"That regard may be another matter, ma'am.
I have assisted in the distribution of some
thousands of copies of the Scriptflrcs ; every
family thought it but right to have a Bible;
but then it Avas mostly laid aside if it was a
plain aifair ; lint if it had good binding and gilt
edges, it would be put among trinkets, where
it could be admired with the rest. This kind
of Bible purchase used to remind me of the
great nnmber of pious folks who regularly
attended church to hear fine music and go to
sleep." Then, after a pause, he continued,
"It was a mystery to me ; the money kept a

* From the ''''i^-Yor'kChrixtianAiirocnte,(\9,f^..)yvQ
learn that the » "ntenary contributions of tlic JI. E.
Cliurch now foot uo to nearly eight and a quarter mil-
lion of dollars, with four conferences yet to hear from.

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coming in, and out went loads upon loads of
Bibles ; but the fact is, they're not read ; and j
if whitu folks won't read them, neither will
the black ; but then, they all must have Bibles,
just like the papist his cross, or the witch
her chaim, and so it goes on from year to
year, and the world won't be converted. It
is all a mystery— ten millions of money and
twenty one millions of Bibles !"*

Having made these statements, Mr. Styles
assumed a reflective attitude, and Mrs. Man-
nors again put in a defense.

" It iriay be a mystery to us for a while, but
a glorious result will follow — the Lom has
promised it— therefore wo need not doubt.
The missionary rcjports give us glowing ac-
counts of what the Lord is doing among the
heathen ; and his divinely appointed ministers
of our land and of yours are going forth like
spiritual Samsons, overturning idols and rout-
ing the enemy."

" Tliere is unfortunately a great difference
sometimes between these missionary reports.
One says, that, beside the actual cost, it takes
about six missionaries to convert one Hotten-
tot ; that is, it takes six lives ; six of them die
off, and then the Hottentot won't stay con-
verted if you don't feed him well. Ji'ou know
the heathen, parishioners often eat their
minister! The' Missionary Herald won't
publish such facts, or will gloss them over,
and make it appear as if things were going on
swimmingly ; but the truth leaks out by
degrees; and loften think it is such a pity
that the millions we spend — including many
a widow's mite — should bo flung away while
we have so many poor, and ignorant, and
heathenish at home."

" No matter, these things may be dishearten-
ing, but the command is, ' Go forth, and pro-
claim the Gospel to every creature !' and it
must bo done. What is the wealth of
earth compared to the value of one immor-
tal soul ! Our missionaries have con-
tended with the jiowers of darkness in foreign
lands ; have had fierce struggles, but glorious
triumphs. E\ en one solitary rescue from the
grasp of Satan more than compensates for the
millions wo spend. The cross has been raised
and the crescent is waning, and devils tremble,
■while the idols of the heathtn lie scattered in
the dust. Come tomorrow, come with me
and see a proof of these glorious triumphs at
Exeter Uall."

CfiAPTEIl xvin.

It was tlie fourth of May, 1804, and a vast
number of persons thronged the streets of the
metropolis. The many houseless and homeless

•Magnipicent BiBLK.— Mr. Mnckcnzic, of Glasgow,
hns printed a Bniall mimlHT of whnt he caMs his
" Iluiiflred Guinea Edition " of tlie Holy PtTipturra—
an edition with which his name will always be ussocl-
atcd. It Is the most sumptuous and bent printed
Bible ever produced. The size Is atlas folio : the type
used is a beautiful, sharp-cut Krcat-primer, set up In
two columns, with two narrow central columns of
reference ; a lliiok red border line is printed out!<ldt.
the text ; tiio paper made use of is very tlilck, nmdo
eBpeciully by Dickenson, costinK, we believe, im much
as fourtt en nenco a pound. Twelve copies only have
been printed, and tlie probability is, that whenever a
cony luriiB up for salo it will fetch some fubulouB
price.— i:'>i£r/i«A paptr.

wanderers that lurked here and there, or sat
listlessly in some recess, looked with moody
indifference upon the gay crowd that flitted
by, though often shadowed by the diseased and
limping poverty that hobbled by its side. Eng-
lish lords and foreign barons passed and re-
passed, and now the gay retinue of a wealthy
j)i:er moved proudly by ; while, not far distant,
the fluttering rags of a British beggar could
be seen, as he watched with scowling aspect
the approach of a policeman who woulu i)re-
vent him asking the charity which ho so much
needed, or warn him off' as an unclean thing,
unfit to be seen. And then, at intervals, could
be observeil drifting wrecks of frail and fam.
ishing womanhood, moving slowly but surely
down, down, to that deep, dark gulf of infamy,
out of which not one in a hundred is ever
rescued.

Neither fog nor cloud interposed this day to
frown upon the flaunting gayety of heartless
wealth, or shut out the sad condition of those
harassed to temptation and crime by the
heavy load of poverty and affliction which
flung out such dreary shadows of de8i)air upon
the future. The sun shone down brightly en
all alike, as if in reproof to the imposed dis-
tinctions which religion and exclusiveness
have ever advocated, and which have robbed
so many of nature's free gifts, spreading such
misery and desolation over the whole earth.

Onward went the cnAvd ; and those who, from
long observation, could readily distinguish
between the every day appearance of the
stream of life which pours through a London
thorouglifare and one of an unui^'ual kind
could this day notice the foreign faces and
quaint and provincial costumes which moved
toward Waterloo bridge. The throng hero
was very great, ond it required all the exertion
of a host of policemen to keep the thorouglifare
from being completely blocked up. Pedestri-
ans and equestrians, soldiers and civilians,
cabs, corijhes, and omnibuses followed each
othtr in quick succession ; and a great number
of cler«:iyi.nen,afew statesmen and philanthro-
pists, made the medley almost complete.

Farther toward the Strand the current of
people seemed to flow, but a crowd was kept
from forming in that place by the tens and
dozens which went off together in the direC/-
tion of Exeter Hall. Equipage after equi-
page was ranged around the building, in wait-
ing for the great personages they had con-
veyed thither. Surely some extraordinary
busin^ss must be on hand ; it might be sup-
posed that a convocation of the great, the M'ise,
the humane, and charitably disposed of the
world was about to take ))iace to concert one
grand measure to relieve the necessities of
every human being, and that an experimen-
tal attempt was to be made among the hun-
dreds and thousands of poverty-stricken
wretches struggling out a miserable exist-
ence in that great city of wealth and priva-
tion, and afterward to bo extended to the
children of misery throughout the kingdom.
Or it might be an immense gathering of the
kind and merciful, to abolish, first of all, those
])auper prisojis and bastiles of pf)verty whicli
ought to bring a blush of shame to the cheeks
of British legislators — prisons and bustilt.'s, in
which human beings ere degnid«Kl for th«

wmK

EXETER HALL.

hero, or sat
with moody

that ilitted
liBeaFcd and
iside. Enfr-
Bed and re-
f a wealthy

far distant,
iggar could
ling aspect

would i)re-
he so much
ilean thinp:,
rvals, could
lil and fam.
r but surely
f of infamy,
Ired is ever

1 this day to
jf heartless
on of those
ne by the
tion which
espair upon
brightly en
mposed dis-
iclusiveness
ave robbed
ading such
ole earth,
je who, from
distinguish
nee of the
fh a London
ui^'iial kind
faces and
lich moved
irong here
he exertion
lorouglifare

Pedeptri-

civilians,
owed each
eat number
l)hilanthr6-
plete.
current of
d was kept
e tens and

the direo-
after equi-
ng, in wait-
y had con-
traordinary
rht bo Bup-
it, the wise,
)S(h1 of the
;(«icert one
cessities of
exju'rimen-
ig the hun-
rtystrickcn
able exiet-
and priva-
iled to the

kingdom,
ring of the
)f all, tlioso
erty which
the cheeks
bastih^M, in
ittd for tht)

rrime of penury — where the child knows no
parent, and wliero the venerable couple who
iiRve walked together nearly to the v<!ry foot
of the hill of life are here separated forever,
and imprisoned because of their mendicancy !*

Were these people about to meet to estab-
lish some great system of free education, or
to improve the condition of the overwi ought
working classes? What benevolent object
could there be in view which, could thus in-
duce the reputed wise of the earth to hurry
together from its four corners to meet in a
distant city? Aias! simply but a matter
which fancifully relates to the soul alone, and
to another state of existence, and to the te-
dious and exorbitantly expensive dissemina-
tion of a so-called revelation from the of-
fended deity of Christendom !

The stranger or citizen of London on that
fine May morning could not but observe the
numerous placards and large ^wsters put up
in conspicuous places, side by side with bills
about Drury Lane, Covent Garden, and other
noted places of amusement ; and, as he went
along, he would see, wandering about the gay
streets, brutalized and sottish men, earning
sixpence or a shilling by carrying the same
placard on their shoulders, and then, as with
staggering step, one thrust himself in the
way, the pedestrians could read —
" EXETER HALL I

GREAT MEETING OF THE BUITISH AND
FOKEIGN BIUIiE SOCIETY,
THIS DAY !"

Those who chose to follow the stream of
life toward the Ilall could notice the great
number of loungers and idlers in front of its en-
trance ; that is, if men who are willing to labor
but can not find employment may be called
such, and coarse jokes and rough comments,
mad0 by the pauper crowd, could be heard as
a stately carriagtj dnn-e up, or upon the ai>pear-
ance of some clerical celebrity, against whom
these comments were more particularly di-
rected.

" That's a rum cove, Bill ; that ere fellow's a
Sandwicher, I'll bet."

" No, he beant, Tom ; if it's that lantern jaw
with the gold swag, just going in, it's Parson
Uockett, with his five hundred a y(mr. Dare
say he's taken in more sandwiches in a w(*i!k
than we ever did in our blasted lives, and yet
he's slim about the belt."

" Here's a swell, boys ! my oyos, what a well-
l)aid Christian ! tijore's a corporation for you !"

" Who's he. Jack V"

" Dunno ; I'll lay it's a bishop ; 'tis too. Fine
c'oachthatl dare sav he's got the (/jVa-j. I'ddanm
sight rather have his purse tlian his ^jrayers.
Ay, that's Bishop of Winchester ; he's a big
'un, and will stick to the Bible as long as it
brings him from ten to twenty thousand a year,
tlio blnstiMl state cormorant !"

" See, Bill, here's another on 'era. Oood
heavens! what I'd give to bo a bishop ; another
fine coach, lots o' flunkies and plenty of brass.
That's Hipon. My Lord Bishop of Uipon, ha,
ha I Damn me, out I irotild like to bo him ; some
tliousands a year, plenty to cat, nothing to

• SooNoto O.

do, plcntv of beer, lots o' fun. Good God,
what a life !"

*' Jack, this next fellow an't a bishop; the
mope is afoot, and looks as if he had j ust lost
his mother."

" That's one of them 'ere preachers, a Me-
thouy, reg'ler blue-face. Jest hear him once,
when he's set a'going. All hell, hell ! He
knows more about it tlian the best on 'em."

" Who's this grinning upe, Tom ? This cove
with the uinbreller?"

" And the big teeth ? don't yo,t know. Bill ?"

" No, but blast it, I think I ought I Blow me,
but it's Spurgeon ! so ii is. He's got ja^r-
breakers. and uses them too. He'll make 'em
finger the dibs to-day, and send another batch
of Bibles to the forriners."

" Say, Bill, didn't y6u get a Bible once from
one of them hired chaps? One of them —
what do you call 'ems? What did you do
with the Bible, Bill ?"

" Sold it for beer and bacca — same as yon
and Tom Brown did."

•' But you never read vours, you blasted
heathen !"

" Didn't, 'cause I couldn't — wouldn't if I
could.'

" O Bill I Then you never knew any thing
about the ass that talked for a lull half-hour
to Jonah before the cock crew at him."

" Wouldn't bleevo it if I did ; that's all
gammon — bishop's gamm nn."

" Them chaps going in bleevcs it, Bill — e}i?
Pays well."

" So they says, but I knows better than
that — they may though, cause they're paid —
'tis their trade, and they'd blecve any sich
rubbish for money.''

"Stand aside, here's another one of the
spouters, swellish like. Them's a nice pair of
grvys. I d(m't mean the reverend old buck,
nor the lady, nor of course the young uns in
front, but tlie horses — slap ujis, an't they?
'Tis a'most as good as a bishop's. Lord, how
this praying business docs iir^'! ' him,
how he blinks, and bows — tJuit » yo.ir style,
old boy."

" Jack, if that fellow has the face of a con-
verted saint, tliere's hope for you and Bill."

"What the devil do you know about it?
You wouldn't compare me to that cliap, would
you? Who is lu;? Just see him hand the
ladies. O Lord!" < »

•Who is he, Bill?"

" Why, that's Buster, Dr. Buster, as they calls
him— one of the most certain, inuiiortal saints
in town, great among the female angels I"

" Buster — Buster, I've heerd o' him some
place afore ; he's big and ugly enough to bust
into lu^ll without a i)a88pi)rt."

" Well, if he's a saint, there's h()])0 for mo !"

On this i)articular day, Exciter Ilall was
filled to its utmost capacity ; one would think
that the elite of the wealth and fuKhian of
Britain had deputed its most styllwh to attend,
in order to convince the distinguished foreign-
ers of tho earnestness and orthodoxy of the
WM'althy and highborn of the United King-
dom. Eminently credulous men. full of faith,
fnmi distant lands, could be si'en in the brilliant
assemblage, and there were great anticipo*
tions that, this day would furnish anotuer

EXETER HALL.

15!;:^ j^«i»-

'.l:

t»

...

triumplmnt proof of British benevolence, and
tlmt another dicck Avould be given to tlie in-
creasing sliepticiBin and presumptuous infi-
delity of the ago.

W'liilc tlie upacioiis platform was crowded
•with many of tlie most famous defenders and ex-
pounders of the Bible in Great Britain, Ame-
rica, France, Germany, and other countries, it
wns remarkable that the higher dignitaries of
the Established C'hurch were not to bo seen
amongst them. Where were the spiritual
princes of York and Canterbury ? Where was
the regal fisherman of Ijambeth Palace t It
might be, however, that it would not comport
witli the dignity of an archbishop thus to ex-
pose himself to vulgar gaze, along with the
numbers of once wild chiel's and cannibals that
were to be exhibited on that and the following
day, as triumphs of the Gospel. But when the
Bibhi has done so much to inculcate a regard
for the " powers that be," and has so particu-
larly secured for the English hierarchy such
an ovt;rflowing of worldly ease and comfort,
it might be only within bounds to expect that,
if for no other reason, even an assumed ^ene-
ration for that holy book shoulu induce " His
Grace" of Canterbury to appear there among
other humble Christians, and personally advo-
cate its circulation.

However, the embodiment of piety and re-
ligions talent which was this day to add such
addiiional lustre to "Gospel triumphs" seem-
ed to sit together like lambs of the same flock,
dutiful children of the same father — a specta-
cle of love and humility, on which men and
ang(!l8 might gaze forever with delight.
What an exhibition ! A spiritual fraternity,
docile and submissive, striving not for prece-
dence, nor for the unholy suiicriority of creeds,
but all met again in the fear of the Lord, to
assist in the propagation of the " glorious Gos-
pel." Men of every nation and clime here
met in fraternal embrace on. this spacious
platform, as living ])roof8 of Bible r '.<,):enera-
tion; and tho skeptic or infidel might well
look confused when he saw a titled and
mitred bishop sit as contentedly side by side
with a converted Caff re oi Ojibbeway chief,
as tho Rev. Dr. Buster ihen and there sat
between his reverend friends, James Baker
and Jonah lla'.l.

As soon as the noble and distinguished pre-
sident of the sociity, the Right Honorable the
Earl ()f Shaftesbury K.G.,took his seat on the
platt'orm, there was a murmur of applause
from the vast assembly, and the great organ
swelled lorth its strains of solemn but exqui-
siic music ; and, now, as wave after wave of
harmony swept through the great hall, it had
its usual i)rei)aiatc)ry influence upon tho feel-
ings of all ju'esent.

A clergyman then opened the proceedings
with ])niyer, and read the forty-lirth Psalm.
An abstract of the society's proceedings for
the year was then read, showing that tho re-
ceipts for the year, applicable to tho general
purposes of the socit!ty, were nearly itUO.OOO
sterling, being marly £0000 over tho i)receu-
ing year, ai\(l greatly exceeding tho annual
collections of any iormer period. The amount
received for tlu! sale of Bibles and Testamontb
was £«0,000, while the total receipts from tho

ordinary sources of income amounted to about
£1GJ>,000, being more than in any pi-ecedinj{
year; and during tho year the society had is
sued from its dejiots at home about 1,000,000
copies of the Scriptures, and from the foreign
depots 645,000 copies.

The grand total of copies issued by the so-
ciety up to its siitieth anniversary amounted
to over forty-five and a half millioiia of co])iei)
of the word of God. at an expense of several
millions sterling ! Tl: e total expenditure for
the year was over £151 ,000, leaving the society
still under engagements to the extent of about
£110,000.*

It is quite probable that tho issues of the
Bri ish and Foreign Bible Society now extend
to over fifty millions of cojiies of the so-called
"word of God." Actually more than one
Bible for every minute of time of the last sixty
years, or sinci? the establishment of the society.
Who can fairly prove that the world is any bet-
ter for all this expenditure ? — millicns worse
than wasted in an insane idea to elevat e human-
ity by the degradation of reason ? Half of
what it hus cos' ' ) circulate Bibles and teach
religion within the last fifty years, ])roper]y
disbursed for humane or educational purposes,
would have almost banished every trace of
poverty, and have given a more correct idea of
" what is truth " by leading men to see tho
vicious principle of the false ideas, false
honor, false patriotism, and spurious benevo.
lence whiuh still govern and actuate priestj
and rulers of all kinds thioughout the world.
Talk of a religion of -pence, while it seems that
xear is the great idea of the human race at tho
present day ! Nations which claim to be emi-
nently Christian are generally first in the field
of contest, and are continually making pre-
parations for a further reliance' on providence
by increasing their store of bullets, bayonets,
and bomb-shells. It has been asserted, as a
melancholy fact, that during the sixty-eight
years of this century, more human lives haVe
been sacrificed to the Moloch of »var thax^ in
any five centuries of history. Tho present
century may be said to have opened with the
Frer.ch Revolution, while the year (18G5) closed
the stupendous war of the rebellion among
Christian Americans ; and now, Christian Eu-
rope is again ablaze with tho pomp and cir-
cumstance of war, there being already over
three millions of Christian men under~arms,
awaiting a signal from the great destroyer to
commeuco their pastime of havoc; ecclesias-
tical 1iist()ry,.moro than any other, is a dread-
ful record of atrocity. Tho sentiment of the
age is for war; impress tho gilded and glitter-
ing word "patriotism" upon the human heart,
and it almost blots out every trace of the im-
l)rint of humanity left thero by tho bettor
feelings of our nature. There is no confidence
betvveen (christian nations. Christian diplo-
macy is but a system of polished duplicity —
suspicion lurks in every cabinet — and, as proof,
the armed peace of Christian Europe annually
costs the enormous sum of over £{100,000,000
sterling. Talk of wur, and tho school-boy,
with " paper cap* and wooden sword, plays tho

♦ See Ilrltleb and Foreign Bible Society's report for
June, WA.

EXETER HALL.

ntcd to about
iiy pivcedinji
»ciety had i&
jut 1,000,000
11 the foreign

d by the go-
ry amounted
ma of coi)ie8
ISO of aecirul
lenditure for
g the society
ent of about

ipsues of the

■ now extend

the po-called

•0 than one

the last sixty

['the society.

•Id is any bet-

illicns worse

!vat e human-

i ? Half of

?s and tcacli

irs, i)roper]y

»al purposes,

ery trace of

irrect idea of

ft to see the

ideas, false

ious benevo.

tuate ])rie8tj

t the world.

it Bcems that

n race at the

11 to be enii-

t in the field

nakinjr pre-

i providence

s, bayonets,

iserted, as a

sixty-eij>lit

n lives haVo

kvar thai^ in

lio present

ed witli the

1805) closed

ion among

iristinn Eu-

inp and cir-

ready over

inder-armn,

destroyer to

; ecclesias-

is a dread-

tnent of the

and glitter-

iinan heart,

3 of the im-

tho bettor

1 confidence

t^tian diplo-

duplicity —

lid, as proof,

10 annually

aoo.ooo.ooo

school-boy,
1, plays tht)

ty'8 report for

preneral ;" while the bisJiop lays down his
Bible, and marches from the pulpit to com-
mand a brigade.* In every gallery of art, the
busts of our "national her.:3" obtain the
raoft conspicuous place ; and our numerous
costly monuments are nearly all for tlio pur-
pose of enthroning in equestrian marble some
military demigod, and elevating hiiu nearer
to heaven. Shakespeare may remain jxjrched
on a stool, while the column erected to a York
or a Nelson can almost touch the cross of St.
Paul's.

After the report was read, the president.
Lord Shaftesbury, addressing the ladies and
gentlemen, said, " That nothing had occurred
during the year to render it necessary for him
to interpose between them and the business
of the meeting. He had only to thank God
that tliis unhistorical, uninspired, unfortunate
and unnecessary book had been demanded
with redoubled avidity. They had upon that
platform proof of what he said. Among
otliers, they had ambassadors from the dis-
tant island of Madagascar coming to record
tlie triumph of God's holy word in their own
land, ready and rejoicing to carry back to their
country a narrative of the triumphs,which they
had witnessed in this. But he would not, by
saying any more, interrupt a far better speech
from a far better man, and he therefore called
upon the Lord Bishop of Winchester to move
the first resolution.f

The n(jblo chairman, whose address, if it
possessed no other merit, had that of brevity.
Ijike mo^ other Englishmen, he could not
refrain fwra alluding to the "triumphs" of
his native land. But as those to which he
more particularly referred were " of the Gos-
pel," it n\ight bo well to notice a few of the
complaints of missionaries respecting their
want, of success in foreign lands, and to show
that tho " triumphs of God's holy word" in
distant climes are not altogether such as to
justify so many confident assertions from the
mighty spirits of Exeter Hall.

As to the achievements of missionary enter-
prise, what forlorn accounts are regulnrly re-
ceived, and how often bus the terrible fact
been recorded of Christianized cannibals de-
vouring their minister ! In India, and China,
and among distant islands, missionary zeal
has sacrificed ?nany votaries ; and the accumu-
latL'd off'erings — often made up of widows'
mites and gleanings from the poor — have been
lavislu'd without any conimensuruto results.
Yet the delusion is s'till kept up in England
and America; and though pious periodicals
make urgent appeals for the " poor heathen,"
and continue to gloss over actual failures, yet
some of these papers are forced to admit that
there are, occasionally, very depressing re-
jMirts.

The Minsinnnry Ifcrnld, of tho American
Board f(»r Foreign Missions, for June, 180^,
dolefully gives tho following particulars :

♦Tntho Into rebellion In tho United States, Ulsliop
Poll<, n Houttiern chm-chmnn, wns n Lientenant-(Joiio-
ral in tho confedonitctirniy. iind was killed in action
on Pino Monntnln in Ueoifjla, Jnno Hlh, 1801.

tThis i,s a Blight nbridy;ment of Lord Shiiftcsbury's
nddrotis ut tho nieetin-; Of tiio Hrifish and Fori^it;ii
Biblo Society, in Exutcr Hall, London, on May 4, 1804.
— vluMor.

" Tliat onlv seven per cent of the populalioa
of Ceylon (3,000,000) should profess Chrig-
tianity, and that only tmo per cent should be Re-
formed or Protestant Christians, will be inelaQ-
choly facts, pregnant with solemn reflecticna
to many of our readers. But so it is, after all
that has been done to preach the Gospel and
distribute the Bible. The darkness of the pic-
ture in our case is only relieveil when the con-
trast presented by continental India is regard-
ed. In Ceylon, it may be said that something
has been done^ not merely to sap the outworks
of heathenism, but to build up the edifice
of Christianity. If ours is the day of small
things, what are wo to say to India (Britisli and
independent) with her two hundred millions
against our two, and her less than half a million
of Christians, say one fourth of one per cent
against our seven per cent ! When wo say
half a million, we allow for 120,000 JiurO'
pean Christians, including tho civil service,
army, navy, merchants, planttirs, etc.: and we
give the most liberal margin for Komanists
papal and Portuguese, Syrian, Armenian, etc.
Subjected merely to the numerical test, Chris-
tianity may be said to have made but smail
progress either in India or Ceylon."

What an overwhelming waste of money
these missions have involved ; and according
to the Herald, what " melancholy facts" are the
return — two per cent in Ceylon, and less than
one fourth of one per cent in India ! In a
subsequent issue of the same journal, giving
an account of tho Mahratta Mission, in which
during the then last fourteen years over
$20,000 had been expended by one society
alono in eflTorts at conversion, it says, " Tho
account which Mr. Munger (the missionary)
gives of the present state and prospects of
missionary efforts in the Mahratta Mission m
not encouraging. Less than a dozen persons
constitute his stated Sabbath audience, and
these are from his own family, and the Chris-
tian household connected with the mission.
His opportunities for preaching, during the
week also, ho says, are less encouraging than
they were thiee years ago. There are fewer
persons who attend upon these religious ser-
vices, and they manifest much less interest in
the facts of Christianity. He seldom meets tho
young men who tlien wore accustomed to come
in his way, and seemed disposed to become ac-
quainted with Christian ideas. It is now four-
teen years since tho work of tho Gospel was
commenced in this ])lace. Much labor has
been undertaken : we have much desired suc-
cess, and still we sow, and pray, and hope. I
hope I m^v be able to do sometliing."

And this is all ! While missionaries " hope
and pray to be able to do something," the
poor unconverted heathen die and go to per-
dition — according to Christian theory — and
tho God who has promised to " answer
prayer" will not open the eyes of the blind,
but will witness with inditlerenco their grad-
ual a|)proacli to tho pr(!cii)ico of destruction !

With respect to Chinese missions, another
American i)aper, tho Herald says, " Tho pig-
tail celestials of tho ' tlowery kingdom' do
not take very kindly to Christianity. With
twentyfour missionaries and twrlm native
helpers iu China, tho American Foreign Mis*

^mmmm

EXETER HALL.

'"C

Bion organization reportB the 'baptism of a
fird eimvrrt,' a man wlio was of ' respectable
condition.' Millions of money contributed in
the United States to convert the Chinese, and
the result is a solitary baptism ! Half the
money would have secured the bai)ti8m of ten
thousand worse heathens here at our own
door."*

From this statement, it is to be presumed
that the twelve " native helpers" are inter-
preters — mere hirelinffs — each of whom, in
the intervals of service, bum incense before
a " family ^od" in his own particular Joss-
House.

British journals have, time after time, ad-
mitted that several missions to PajHsts, Jews,
and heathens have been deplorable failures.
And still restless visionaries ccmtinue to en-
courage the religiously romantic to wander
" from pole to pole" in costly and wasteful
attempts to supplant one absurdity by the
propagation of another, as if oblivious of the
personal and intellectual misery that broods
around the thousands of heathens at home.

That distinguished London clergyman. Dr.
Pusey, admitting the folly of this pious ro-
mance, says, " There are places in Londcm, as

I have myself seen, where for generation af-
ter generation the name of Christ has never
reached, and their inhabitants had much
bettei' have been born in Calcutta than in
London, because the charity which sends
forth Christian missionaries would the sooner
reach them."

So much, then, for my Lord Shaftesbury's
" Gospel triumphs in foreign lands."

We are also told by the President of the
Bible Society, that the ambastsadors from Mad-
agascar would be ready and rejoiced to carry
back to their own land a narrative of the tri-
umphs which they had witnessed in England.
Now for a recital of some of these, which are

• Dr. Livinpstone.in one of his latest works on AlVica,
enid that/w/y misnioniirlcs htid been siirritlccd to tlio
deadly clinmte of that continent, even bcl'orc the flrst
heathen had been converted 1

Ap a ml off, however, to the depressing missionary
reports given ui this chapter, a late relijjiious journal
(Feb. IWJS) states that, "Si.Nty years ago, there were
no Protestant Christians in Travancore, Southern In-
dia. Now. what do we behold » There are at this
point alone 27.000. and .^iOO native assistants, and

II ordained native niinistero. At Nagcreoil, ihe prin-
cipal station in the district, there is a largo Christian
village of 800 souls, a printing office, girls' boarding-
school, native church, and boys' school, with theologi-
cal classes, with iliree European and two native or-
daiued missionaries. Wonderful triumphs of grace !"

And ajcain ; "There ore now twenty-five Protes-
tant missionary societies that are laboring in India.
Of these, three arc organized In Scotland, eight in
Kngland. yne in Ireland, four on the continent of Eu-
rope, and nine in America. These societies maintain
about 550 missionaries, and expend annually in that
country not far from |1, 250,000."— J/bn^rco^ Daily
Wi/itenti, Feb. 1868

These succes ie.<, after siaiy years' labor, are said to
be " wondernil triumphs of grace 1" but ccmld less bo
expected IVom such delcrmined efforts to Christian-
ize 1 And what more meagre result could be reason-
ably anticipated where 550 active iutelligent inissiona-
lics, sustafued by an annual amount of #1,250,000, arc

alas I too openly displayed within tho boun-
daries of the Christian city of London.

Beligion in that great metropolifi has about
one thousand costly temples to accommodate
a wrangling multitude of contending sects,
whose mutual denunciations aio dten rather
startling. It has several thousand trained
priests— divinely chosen — who are willing to
manifest great anxiety for the " salvation of
sinners," and conduct them by various short
roads to heaven for — ready pay. And as an
evidence of the great benefit arising irom the
teaching and practice of these devoted men,
there are to bo found among the vast number
of metropolitan sinners one hundred thou-
sand prostitutes, over one hundred and fifty
thousand thieves, robbers, and vagabonds ;
while, according to the estimate of sin eminent
coroner. Dr. Lancaster, the result of a hidden
frailty is twelve thousand cases of infanticide
annually. There is, then, a large portion of a
standing army to intimidate into sulimission
a majority of the people, who would other-
wise resist oppressive laws over which they
are denied a controlling voice. Then there
are thousands of policemen required lo detect
crime, and numerous prisons, and judges, and
hangmen to deal with offenders ! The death

to almost every partof the civilized world, andltal-
re^ady claims about 300.000 converts, "rescued" from
Christianity ! Are not these triumphs of the Mormon
gospel a greater wonder i— Author.

penalty is strictly scriptural ; therdore true
mercy is not yet the quality of Christian legis-
lation.

But London is the headquarters of the state
church. What evidence can that church
give of its usefulness? While some, like
Lord Shaftesbury, can boast of iinaglnary
triumphs, that particular and fiiv(^d corner
of the " Lord's vineyard " can exhibit tangible
trophies ; and while like a mockery it can af-
fect to despise " the pomps and vanities of
this wicked world," its tico ])rinci-ly arch-
bishops can conscientiously accept and divide
with each other £25,000 sterlin</, (over $120,-
000) annually for their spiritual superinten-
dence, and its twenty-fAx other bishops can as
unscrupulously demand and distribute among
themselves, in the same way, over £1555,000,
(about $050,000,) as compensation for their
pious services, and these exorbitant sums are
independent of what is derived fmni other
numerous sources of ghostly \)rofit. Then
add to these the immense amount ];aid to the
increasing horde of the minor clerical adher-
ents of the Established Church, and its use-
fulness seems to consist in perpetuating a
mvmstrous fraud, and in impoverishing the
nation.*

Let the ambassadors from Madagascar wit-
ness these " triumphs," and upon their return
to their native land, where evt-n ])agan savages
do not as regularly die of starvation, let them
narrate tiio sad tale of tho inyff'ectual efforts
of 100,000 wandering paupers of London in

* A Philadelphia paper makes the following remarks:
" Payino Positions.— It makes people's mouths water
to think of the revenue of some of the Eiiptlish ecclo-
siastieal flmctionaries. The net rcveuiies of tho
Bisho))ric of London, for tho year "ISOS, were $100,.3.35
in gold ; of the IJean and Chapter of St. Paul's Catho-
dral, London, $:A,im in gold; and of the Dean and
Chai)ter of Westminster Abbey, iflW.Oa-) lu goUl."(I!)
Yet this very paper is noted for its obsequiousnosH to
tho horde ot wealthy sectarian priests iu lliat (iospol-
blightcd city, and does not utter one wvrL' agauiHt
8UUU prioHlly bwiudllng.— .du^ior.

EXETER HALL.

the boon-
Ion.

I hue about
oiiiiuodate
ling sects,
'ten rather
1(1 trained
willing to
.Ivation of
rious short
And as an
g from the
'^oted men,
ist number
lived thou-
1 and fifty
ajxabonds ;
II u eminent
f a bidden
infanticide
■ortion of a
sul)mission
)uld other-
•hich they
riien there
id lo detect
judges, and
Th(} death
n-lore true
stian logis-

Df the state

lat church

some, like

mi aginary

wkd corner

lit tangible

y it can af-

vanities of

ci-ly arch.

and divide

)ver $120,-

superinten-

i(i})s can as

lit o among

£i;J5,000,

for their

sums are

roHi other

)tit. Then

];aid to the

ical adher-

nd its use-

(ituating a

li^hing the

(jascar wit-
leir return
an savages
1, lot thom
ual eflbrts
London in

na; remarks :
louths water
ii^lish ccclo-
iiR'8 of the
•ic ^100,335
'aul'H Cutlie-
lu Dean and
in j?()I(1.'"(ll)
iiioiii<noHH to
Ihat (lOHDol-
^^irC ajfuInRt

their fooblo endeavors to provide food, loth-
ing, and shelter. Let them witnesB the htrug-
glo between hope and (Icpnair of thewt bap-
U'/ihI Christians, and how sad and how reluc-
tantly many, very many of these let loose
their last hold on virtue to bo hurried onward
and downward to crime by the (extortion niid
rapacity of priestcraft, and by the uHurpntion
of a scliish, rnfeeling aristocracy. Pt rhai)S
tho narration oi these triumphal woes might
even suti'uso tlie eyt? of sonu^ dusky savagt;,
and tears might wear a channel <m his painted
cheek. Yet, behold ! Sets <»ur Christian bisli-
0))S, and priests, and merchant princes, and
nobil'ty stand by and look compliin-ntly on
these reputed "triumphs," and while ostenta-
tiously giving a lilu-ral donation f<(r the
"spread of the Gospel," dole out hut an in-
significant i)ittance for the relief of their fam-
ishing countrymen.

CHAPTER XIX.*

The president took his seat, and all seemed
anxiouii to h« ar the 8|)eech on the first resolu-
tion, esjM'cially as it was to emaiiate from
one of th(* mitred faculty whose vencnition
for " The Word" had gradually increase!! with
his salary, and whose dower as a vi'*'latical
'/ridegrooni of the church militant is ])aid to
luin in (iiinual installments of ti'i: ihountnul
five hundred pou)id» sterling, (about sts.j'^.OOO.)

When A,\w applause sui)sided, the Lord
Bishoi» or Winchester Piiisl, iliat hi; ivmo^
then- as having h- xtx an old friend of the socie-
ty for more t!ian half a century, and had the
privileo"* to be numbered among itsvic(^-
pmsitlciits. Ih' liad often reflected with ])lea-
sure upon the second i)art of ihe description of
their society, [it was the British and Foreign
Hible yocii'ty.Jaiid wIumi he luul heard the list
of places in wiiicli the word of (iod had been
circulated daring the past year, the imjiortauce
of the t'oniign branch was more forcilile. ]<]r
ror, like some of th(^ distmiers whicli atli'ct t\w
human body, -.ccnKMl to return from tiiiu^ to
time with ju'riodical recnrri uce. 'I'he cn'ors
of the pres'ut were the eJTors of tlie ]iiist.
Then; was notliing new under tlu' sun, and as-
suredly nothing ni!W i,n skepticism and free
thinking. The Voltaires of anotli(U" country,
and the Paines of their own, or tlie duriiifl
i^nrit.-, of modern tiitten, over whom tiiey had
to lament, and of whom ihey were aMhamei|,
but of whom they were not afraid, they had
said notliing in that day which luul not been
said in times jmst. The Bible and the society
had sutlered from recurring attacks, and some-
times among other disputes the Trinitarian
C(mtroversy divided their frii'uds. He wished,
as an old nunnberof the society, very humbly,
and vrith much deference, to make a sugges-
tioa — to nuiintain with the most untiiuchinj^
resolution the supremacy of " dioine revela-
tion. Unsf(ttle that i)rinciple, and you shake
tlio foundation of your faith ; sap that pillar,

•Tlin gpoochcs contained In this chapter are an
•bridgmtMit ol' thoK(! (Icliverod at tho nmiiinl mui-ling
Of tho Britlt^h and Foreign Bil)lu Society, held in Exo-
tet Hall, Loudon, May 4th, m^il.

and you have nothing «n which to rest the solo
of your foot." W(! lived, he said, in an age of
controversy ; he did not regret t, for ho
thought that the more they incpiire 1 into and
st-arched tho Bible, the more they vnuld find
in it the true nninna of tlie soul, t at which
they needed for time and eternity.

After this specimen of ju'elatical 8up])ort
and assumption, tlio resolution was seconded,
in a short but unnnmning speesh, by Lord
t'harles Russell.

A Metliodist minister was then permitted
to move tho second resolution ; he made a
very ])rosy display — a mixture of pomposity,
pedantry, and egotism, winch was highly ap-
l»lauded by his own particular denomination,
biit which otherwise seemed to produce a
w(>arying cflect upon those who were compel-
led to listen.

He was foHowed by tho Bishop of Ripon,
who stated that lu; liad observed from one of
the ]mp(;rs that a subscriber for the present
year had doubled his df)nation, because fhe
Bible had become Sf> invch dishonored. He
sympathized with that feeling, for to him it
was a positive rt?lief to exjiress his maliated
confidence and undiminished ii(i.icli:!ient,
when the Bibh; had been dishonored by its
professed friends. This innuendo against a
l»rother bishoji — Colenso — was n^ceived with
loud ap](ikiuse. Ibit, he ccmtinued, if the
Bible had been dishonored by man, it has
been honored of (Iod, as was manifested in a
greater amount of contril)uti(ms than the
soci(!ty<Si\d e\"er before received in one year I
It was to him delightful to think, that amidst
ail tlie eontentions and divisions by which the
visible churcli of Chn>t was unhapjiily so
much torn and divided, there should be one
sacred platform, up(m which Christians of
every den(miinati(m could meet together, and
where all could agree that the Bible was the
word of (i(xl, to which one and all would
unitedly bow, and to which they rendered
homage as the supreme and only inl'ailible
sourct; of all-saving truth. They had met
there because they believed that the Bible
was the most blessed gilt of Clod to a fallen
world, and it was the bounden duty of all
who jxissi'ssed that inesiimaidy preciems trea-
sure to endeavor to communicate it to those
who had it not. He l)elieved tlwit they had
notliing to fear from the attacks to whi-. li the
Bil)le was exjiosed; there was nothing new
in them, notliing that had not Ixm'u often
started before ; there was nothing, he believed,
which the word of (lod did not jn-epare them
to expect in the last days. As was onc(! said
to one who was siuferiug at tho word of (iod,
and ridiculing the Bil)le as an imposture,
" It is the existence of such men as you that
makes me believe tho Bible iS \¥\w \ for tho
Bible tells us, that in the last days there shall
coine scofl'ers, and if it were not for sucli jier-
sons as vou, we should' se<an to want one cre-
dential for the truth of the Bible." (!)

Verily if this be a valid claim for the truth
of Chri.?tian inspiration, it is one easily made,
and one which has often supported other tot-
t(!ring systems of error. God, continued the
Bishop, had made the Bible to be its own « it-
ness, and had thereby placed within the reach

"•ipl

EXETER HALL.

of the humolost inquirer the moans of ascer-
taining to Ids ornt mtixfartion the divine au-
thority of the memige. (?) But tlicy were not
to give up external evidence by wliieh it may
be as satisfactorily established that tlu^ Bible
is the word of God ; that, witli respect to the
Bible, while it was not given to man in order
to teach science, there was not a single sen-
tence in the Bible contrary to true sclenct^ ;
and tliat whatciver appeared in science to con-
tradict the word of God is rather to be
spoken of aa "oppositions of science falsely
so called !"

If i)iit to the test, the dogmatism of this
bishop might lead him into difficulty to find a
proof eijual to his flippancy of asserti<m. IIov
doctors difler ! particularly those who chum to
be genuine successors — even through a po])ish
parentage, of the inspired twelve. Yet truly
they may be apostolic in one sense ; inr we
fincl by the n vered (Jospel records that their
authors were by no means unaninunison points
of faith and doctrine, and their ins])ire<l con-
tradictions, as to time, place, circumstance, and
otlier essentials, have l)een a heritage of jier-
l)lexity to the more learned, dignified, and as-
suming " right reverend fathers in God" of
these latter days. If God made the Bible to
be its own witness to the " humble in(piirer,"
the beneficed bish()])S cnn not claim to be of
that class : for no other body of men in Chris-
tendom have tended to mystify the alleged
"plain meaning" of Scripture more than the
lordly ])relatical teachers of Bome and Eng-
land. Ah ! but science has dared to witness
against inspiration ! Science, that never errs,
but with the torch of truth in its good right
hand flashes down n]ion the deformity of
error, and upon its darkness, its mystery, and
its jn-etension. My Lord of Kipim, however, is
not aljashed ; he still hugs this " best gift of
God," with all its glaring inaccuracies, rather
than admit the opposition of tliis " science
falsely so called."

To men of determined faith, nothing is truth
that will expose an error in the Bil)ie. Sim-
ilar to the wisdom of an Indian prince, who,
it is said, trampled a microscope to pieces
because it revealed to his astonished view
living animalcula in the food and water from
whidi he had just partaken. Like many oth-
ers, the Bishop of liipon tells us, in one; breath,
that the Bible was not given to man to teach
science — evidently in doul)t himself of its scien-
tific correctness — and yet that then* was no-
thing in it contrary to true science ! Now, were
philoso])hers to admit such an anomaly ii» false
science, we wonder where it could be found
mor(i elaborately displayed than among th(^
" sacred pages" of " God's most blessed gift
to man."

However, the bishops are not all so incau-
tious. Many excuses and ex])hmations have;
been framed for the extraordinary legends of
biblical cosmogony ; and i*" the superiijr intel-
ligence, or more general investigation of the
age has forced a reluctant assent from many
of the clerical sn:auti*, it is satisfactory to find
one so spiritually and temporally endowed as
the right honorable and right rev<>rend the
Lord Bishop of London yielding so gracious-
ly. In one of bis discourses, published about

the very time tho steadfast Kipon spoke so
confidently as to tiie acreement of the Bible
with true science, he said, " it is satisfactory
to feed assured that no clergynum of the
Church of England can \n\ called on to nuiin-
tain the uiiinirraiited position, which indeed
scarcely any hold, that the Bible is an iiifitlli-
bfe (juide in (pustions of jihymrtd Kn( uce."
What an admii-sion ! Until lately, the almost
universal orthodox cry resounded that the
Bibh? was al)solute truth, in whole or in ])art ;
tliat it should lead in science as in ])rinciples
of faith : and now, alas! for its worshipers I
able cUrieal disi)utants contend for and against
the validity of its science and its inspiration,
and even venture to question its entire' credi-
l)ility.

Th(^ T?ev. " Cannon" Stowell next addressed
the assemblage. lie said, that although it
had l)een his privilegt; to attend the anniver-
srry nu'etings of that institution, he never re-
, .-mberedto have taken part in one of so pro-
foundl}' interesting a character, especially so
on account of the gathering assault that was
making on tho great citadel of their faith —
the inspired word of God. Kot, alas ! simply
from without, but from within the visible
church. If there were any originality at all
in the attack, it was not found in the argu-
ments, but in the men who employ tliem. It
was this which gave such an a])parent autheu-
tieity to those arguments, not from any intrin-
sic weight that belonged to them. Ti. ■ Bri-
tish and Foreign Bible Society was giving such
men one of tlu; best refutations. It was show-
i ir.g that t<> simple, humble, iionest. l)elieving
men, those arguments were without ]iower oi
Cduviction. That society had written upcm its
cohu's: "The Bible, the whole Bible, aiid
nothing but the Bible ;" it Avas truth without
a mixture of error. He considered the ques-
ti<m of the inspiration of the Bible as the (jues-
tion of the day ; the one on which his reve-
rend breiiiren more ])articularly ought to be
established. He thank(;d God that tliat socie-
ty held strenuously to the irhole Bil)le ; for they
never could sever the Old and New Testa-
ments ; they stood or fell together. The New
rested on the shoulders of the Old ; if they
struck down one, they infallibly brought down
the other. Tlu^ Old Testanu'Ut was the divine
porch to the temple of the New, and he who
did not enter the temjde by tlu^ front door
could never find the eternal truths of (iod.
I The Old Testament Scriptures were not sujur-
! seded ; on the contrary, they were, if possible,
j more intelligible, more impressive, more vital
than evi'r. Then let"th(i Bible, the whole
Bil)le. and nothing but the Bible" be the watch-
word of that society. The more the evidiaici s
I of Christianity were examined, the mf)re tlu'v
; would be luind impregnalde, iDsul)vertil)le.
The martyrs knew the Bible to be true. They
! had heard much of tho lotulers of the noble
' army of martyrs — their Cranmers, Latimers,
and Bidh'ys ; but they had heard too little of
21001' j)e(fnfiiitii,ixi\d mecht^nies, and dmple ico-
men who had dXvA for their Bible. What a
noble testimony it was, that men who could
not write for it, or could not argue for it, yet
could die for it ; and, by dying for it, could give
tho noblest evidence of its truth. Ho would

EXETER HALL.

hoff of tliom not to be disturbing their minds
by tli(! doubts and olyectious thiit wito float-
iiiyf about ; tlmy bad only to wait, and trutli
must CDUU) forih triumphant from tiio strufjr-
fflo. Tlio (;u<jf<r(!stin;; dilHcultit'- of art, his-
tory, and aritliuieiic need not i)o met until
tlicy wiTo worth mci'linj^; silcnco was often
tlu' bi'st answer. Ix't seieutific objt'rtions,
novel sixrulations, and vain ciilcuiiitlons bend
to tlio IJible; they coubl not consent tluit the
liilih; should bend to them. It would indicate
a sense of insecurity, were tliey always en-
deavoriufj to meet objections. Our lieautiful
)>assa<fe in the word of (iod was worthy of
all acceptance at that juncture, "Let (iod bo
true, and every nuiu a liar." Let critical inffe-
iinity lind out, ((■■i it I'cukl. various ditlicuities
ami doubts, yet "letCiod bo true, and every
man a liar." That was still their confidence.
Tiu're mijjht be errors of translation ; passa^^es
that ouji'ht to be eliminated, then; mijj;ht have
been introductions yy{ ulir/ht mixt'ikeit ; l)ut still,
the word of (bid in its intejrrity, as it came
from those jjfuiiled by the hand of (b)d, con-
tained " the truth, the whole truth, and
hulking b'lt the tnUh." (I) " They should spread
it wherever maw was found ; they should
trust in the Ibble, rest on theHible, livti by the
Bible, die in the faith of tln^ Bible, and it would
carry them sate to a land where there was no
more doubt or darkness."

Were it necessary to obtain the testimony
of a blind belitn'er in "divine revelation," it
would be ditKcult to find one more ex])licit or
satisfactory than that contained in the jiriest-
ly haranjjfuo of this reverend canon f)f the
British State ("hurch. It miyht be uncharita-
ble to assert tluit sur'h persons are, perha|)S, as
much iniluenced on behalf of tlu* Bible by the
certainty of worhlly comforts and distinctions,
■which it has Insured to priests as a class, as
they are by tint promises of a future reward iu
another .state of existence, wheie neither bene-
fices, pluralities, nur diijrnities come into view
to distract tlu; head or l".'.r:l^»i the conscience.
But when we refifct that it is comparatively
but a short jieriod i)ack in history i'^ince the cler-
ical ])redecessors of the reverend canon, like
the " sainted Cranmer," were, for the sidie of
earthly endowments, just as ready to rise into
oratori(,'al fii<;hts concerninjf the infylliliility
of ])opish decrei's and tradition as they are
now to denounces the " Man of Sin," and stu-
pidly cry out, " The Bible, the whole Bible, and
nothin;^ but the Bible," one miyht not be far
astray in iinputiu}^ this vjicillatiufi; zeal to
their characteristic {rrei;d, instead of to their
more particular or conscientious reyard for
trutii. For {jaii , tlieob)<>y has canonized
many popular a' surdities.

But then we ire told that there is "notJniif/
orif/iiidl" iu the attack, nothinjj novel in the
arfyuments. What a subterfuji'e, what conso-
lation I It would indeed be a lever in the
hands of i)riests W(n-o they truly able to assert
that the iniitlel objections of the present day
were Iftit novelties — witnesses which had
never testified before ; but because these ob-
jections are old, and have thereby acquired
additional force ; because tlu^y have been the
protest of reason ajj^ainst superstition century
after century, even from the beginning, they

are, therefore, according to the decree of our
preseni clerical pnKligies, to be considered but
mere trivialities, and only deriving "apparent
authenticity" on account of having bet'u re-
iterat«-d by a new race of skeptics. Anoth(^r
s[)ecinu'n of priestly qiubbling. It is well
kufiwn that the chimeras of religion have
ever been made to appear more wortiiy of ven-
eration while shaded ami festooned' by the
c(>bv.ei;s of anti(|uity.

Were the objectors to Christianity none
but "simple, humble, lumest, believing men,"
stu'h as were so paternally ref(;rred to by the
reverend canon, how boastfully the chinch
conld h'jieak of the intelligences of ita adher-
ents ; but becaust,' those who venture to jiulge
the Bible according to its wild but positive
statements and extravagant narration are
really among the most enlightened and dis-
crinunatinsjr, we are sagely told, that the " best
refutation" of their arguments against revela-
tion is that "poor peasants, «/((i meclidnics,
and simjde women" remain steadfast and " had
died for their Bible." One might wonder at
the' tcnnerity which conld lead his reverence
to try to intellectually degrade mechmdcH by
including them in such a classification. It is
wtdl known that the artisans of Great Britain,
likt! most of those in other countries, are gen-
erally found siding with the intelligent oiijec-
tors to a dinnineering sujierstition ; and a large
majority of those very mechanics continue
stidfborn and determined in their resistance to
clerical oppression. Of this, there is abandaut
proof. So much for the mechanics.* But as-
suming that the revtjrend canon had cotifined
himself strictly to the truth, coidd the fact of
there being, or having been, any numl.er of
" pc.or, simple, humble women," or peasants,
or mechanics, awed, mystified, or deluded by
the " foolishness of preaching" be fairly
claimed as a refutation of the sound reason-
able argiiments against biblical assertion '* It
is obvious that such a concession to tlui misty
logic of Kx(?ter Hall would grant e([ual sta-
bility to the pretensions of ))oi)ery or pagan-
ism, or of any other ism which could jn'oduce a
multitude of " jioor, sim[>lo, humble," ignorant

* In HM itrticlo oa '• Tlic Workini,' Classes and Chri*-
tiaiiity."' tlie London I'aliiot says : •■ Tliut notjire iwr
out oi'llic WDrkini; classus -tluit is, ol'tho tniu" luuid-
ditral'tsnicn, I'miii the skiilod optical insirumoiit
maker and eiiLrinecrs, down to the bricklayers' la-
borers—ever eiuer the cluirclics and chapels wllU
which this professedly christian land i.s covered. Per-
liai)s it is true : certainly it must be something near ttie
truth. \ery lew artisans are to be seen in the line
churches of the establishment, or in tlie cliapels of the
Conirrev'utionalists. In some i)arls(jf the country, and '
amonnsl some classes of laborers, the Wesleyans Inive
liad their snccesses; liiU the very larire majority of at-
tendants at Wesleyaa chaiiels are, we take it,yalhered
from the small shop-keepers also."

A clertryman— the l{ev. Edwai'd White— anxious to
discover the cause oftl Ki " religious indill'ereuce," re-
folvet'i to LTo amonu; hu \. .nkin','-mea and ask tlieta
personally, "Why tliey ne\er went to chuichV Ho
gives the ivpllesas taken down. The following aro
specimens: "Tiie i>arsonsare a bad lot." " it's tliolr
living, that's why they preach." "The parson.s are at
the i)ott<>m of all the villainy." " They preach, but
very lew of tliein pnictice." "Tliere's not a worse
class of men on earth than Ijishops and parsons." "lt'9
all done to frighten the jieople, and to keej) tliom
down." " I liad cnougli of religion and impriaoaineut
lit the Stinday-schoot" "I went to church to KC*
married, and that's enough for me." Sucli ready re
1)1 ie8 from toveral " isimple mcchautcn'' are full of meay
fug.

^im^mmm

100

EXETER HALL.

i/n*;'

Iff..

>.»•;■

Bupporters. If simplicity and rrodulity arc
sufficient to counterbalance intclli/^fcnce and
invcstijiation, then Christianity and c«)gnato
forms of 8Ui)erHution Imvo ^ainrd tlio day.

The Bible is such u " towor of strengtli" to
believers that its ariojrant nnd mercenary
teachers are never tired of n^^ertinfj its " im-
prejcrnability." Assault and undermine this
erundjling fortress of iiis]) ration as you may.
its reverend (loliafhs will rav« away as loftily
as ever, and furiously brandish their broken
■\Teapons ; and as they proudly strut al)out on
the ruins of tlie " older and outer worlds" of
the fated citadel, will boastfully shout of its
" insubvertiliility," even while the calm and
impartial spectator can observe the sinking or
overturninfj of its very foundations.

\Ve aro told from thu platform of Exeter
Hall that the " su<XiJr»'stii)g ditfiaulties of art,
history, and arithmetic need not be met ; that
silence was often the best answer." What
an (ividence of weakness ! If the professed
learninfj of our mitred heads and apostolical
successijrs, " lejrifiniate" ov " simrious," can
sufrgest nothing better than that scifnce
"must bend to the Bible," it is but too plain
that they are reduced to the ^.ast extremity.
T/ifi/, proudly confident, do not feel themselves
called ui)on to arj^ue with unbelievers ; "it
would indicate a sense of insecurity !" Pressed
by their adversaries, however, they now atlmit
that "then! may be errors of translation !"
How many ? " Sli(/fit mistakes !" What num-
ber? Superfluous passajjes I Towhat extent V
Alas ! how reluctantly tliese forced admissions
are laid at the feet of truth — admissions,
which, to mak(( but a few years since, would
be looked upon as a shijjwreck of faith, almost
sufficient to insure expulsion from the fold.
The time is fast ai)proachin.<f wlien the hired
advocates of a witherinji' error shall be exhibit-
ed to the world in their proper character.

AVhile Christian teachers are thus oblipcMl
to cliane-e their jiosition and resort to succes-
sive new modes of defense, every a'-sertion on
behalf of their "divine book" seems to involve
a fresh contradiction; and when cont'ronttKl
by the " suyiresliny difficulties of art, liis-
tory, arithmetic, and science," our jmlpit
demi-fjods, after the ninuner of their i]a<4an
prototypes, enshroud tlieiuselves in niystery,
and cry out incolienMitly irom behind their
shifting cloud, "The Bible, IIk* Bible; let
God be true, »nd every man a liar."

Other speakers followed in jmiise or defense
of the "grand old story of the Pentateuch;"
but notliing narticHdar Wiis offi'red — a men!
change of I'utHe assertions. One would ex-
pect, howevev, that from such aceleluity as the
Reverend C. II. Spurgeon some ]>(^".( i(ul rea-
sons would be given in support of the " Book
of Books;" but when we extract liis ideas
from the cloud of verbiage which he exhibited,
We find but the merest trivialities.

With regard to objections against the Bilde,
he said, that for his part he did n.)t under-
take tlie task of refuting them, because he
bel'eved the logical facul'y in him was too
small ; that if he were to talk against arith-
metical objectors, he should be like Uw boy in
the churchyard who whistled to keep hiscour-
l^e up. He did not think it was his particular

work, and he believed that ninety-nine out of
every hundred Christians were not called for
the defense of the (iospel against infidel ol)-
jectors, so much as the pressing of that Gos-
pel lionie to men's hearts. Ho took it that
while it wa*» necessary to show the true (juali-
ty of the Bible, it was also necessary to shov,'
the true answer to objectors. His nu^tal was
of such n kind that he thanked God when the
adversarii-s of truth were loudest. A slumber-
ing devil was more to be feared than a rtjaring
devil. Let the devil roar ; he should but -wake;
them up from their slumbers, and nuike them
nuire earnestly contend for truth. Why were
there no objections to the Bible twenty years
ago from high and eminent idacesV Because
they were not necessary to Satan's ends. (I) He
wished them to go and evangelize London, to
scatter light in the dark alleys, to carry the
Gosptd to the South Seas and Africa, and nuike
the whole Avorld ring with it, and they need
not stop to answer olyections. That was the
best logic — that was the noblest argument —
the application of the word. The way to se-
cure the mas.ses would be to secure them iihiii
ijoiniy.

He remembered being greatly puzzled
when he was a child. On a shelf in his
gruudinother's jtarlor was a little vial, con-
taining an apjde just the size of the largest
part of the bottle. He got the vial down, and
tried to find out how the ajjple could j)os-
sibly have got down that narrow neck. He
thought that the vial must have had a false
ivittom. But it happened, quite accidentally,
tliat this great mystery of nature became un-
raveled. One day, as ]w walked in the gar-
den, it occurred to him that hid) grandmother
had put a little apple inside the botth; while
it was growiuir, and it had grown there to its
present size. He could not but t4ii/iik of that
while standing there. They could not get
men under bildica! iiiflueiu-e very reanily
after they were grown up ; but if they could lie
})Ut inside the Iwittle when they were little
ones, he was sure they would be following the
iUiiUogy of nature. He found commentaries
very useful ; but, after all, many a text that
would not oi)en to a commentary wouM open
to jirayer. Just as the stone-breakers went
down on their knees to break the flints on a
lien)), he believe*! they often broke up texts
belter on their knees than in any other posi-
tion

'I'hey should cultivate the highest reverence
''or (mhI's word, espt'cially as to their obedieiuo
to it. The Bildt! was to be the great pacilica-
tor of all sects, the great hammer of nU
schi sunt tics. The Bilile was to be the end of
all disunion.

It is evident that, like many others, this last
j siieaker had attained his popidarity l>y sjiecial
appeals to the feelings, instead of to the rea
son. The fine, studied, pulpit oratory of the
day is nu)stly a grand disjday of flashing
metai)hors, a meeting of fancy and ideality in
the regions of cloudy splendor, dei>i<'ting as
! realities the castellated piles and numerofua
beautiful forms that rise up and api)ear io
golden and roseate hues on the aerial moun-
tains of the imagination. Here, the preacher
is at home ; here he delights his excited audi-

EXETER HALL.

101

pnro. But let liim descend to tlio solid earth,
let him come down to luird lacts, and he may
SiU with the Rev. Mr. Spnrjreon, that he
dislilicH the task f ret'iitution. Lilie the Mo-
lm:iinie<lan, ho is satisfied with the inspira-
tion of /tin hook ; he luunls not ohjections, and
is only anxious for its circulation, " to make
tlie world rin^ with it."

But even then, uotwithstaudinjr all the
•xlory which Exeter Hall has trit.'d to flin^r
around tlio Christian Scriptures, we obtain
another admission, "Tluit old Ijirds can not
lie caujrht with chaff"!" Tiie nuisscs must be
s.'cured " irhin yoiiiif/," or not at all. You
must catch tliem, and bottle them, and mould
tlieir ideas within the circlt^ of thcoiojry, and
l)y that means secure a new jjem-ruiion of
Cliristiana. The Jews, the Hrahmins, and the
Mohammedans succeed admirably on the
same juunciple ; while skepticism aloniM)!)-
talns its reenforcements from the vio;orous
ninks of maturity.

Many of the sturdy preachers of the; pres-
ent .lay were Ixtttb'd into theoiojry by their
<frandnu)thers, and they have never yet been
uncorked. These ar<^ the class who, like Spur-
jri'on, overcome theological ditliculties on
tiieir knees; and the Hinty text that will
neither yield to commentaries nor c;)mmon
sense, is sure to be reduced to pow«ler
lieneath the potent influence of f,(ith. Tln-se
are they who believe that the, Bible, whi(!!i
has been for generations dividing;; and sulxli-
vi'lintr. and wiiich has been claimed as their
justilication by opiussinjy ranks of furiims
X. alots — truly a sword on the earth — is yet to
b • tlu^ ynnit hamnun" of all schismatics — the
end of all di.sunion I Assertions of this
character will <rain more cre(h'uc.' uimiu the
exact fulfillment of the iirediction which
states that, " The irolf shall lie down with
the lanih" and "the lion eat straw like an
ox"! But, as the question of proi»hetical
inspiration remains yet imdecided, it is jjrob-
ai)le that the fulfillment may be deferred to
an indefinite jieriod.

Every one of the speakers at Exeter Hall, on
referrinyf to the Bible, aflirined \\» full and in-
tire inspirati(m in tlie most positive nnmner.
Tlie Bishop of Winchester asserted that the di-
vine inspiration of the Scripture "should be
nuiintained with the most unflinchiuff resolu-
troii ;" that to unsettle that principle was to
shake the foundation of faitli, and leave
nothiufr on which to rest. Stranjre that his
immediate predecessor. Bishop Lair, should
have held such a different opinion. 'J'his jire-
late, in his work on the Elements of Chrintiaa
Tluuilngy, says :

" When it is said that the Scriptures are di-
vinely inspired, we are not to understand that
(lod 8u«:<;ested evern iixprd awA dictated every
er.j))'es,<>ioii ; it appears that the sacred penmen
WiU'e permitted to wrftc as their several tem-
pers, understandiujjs, and habits of life direct-
ed ; and that the knowledjje communicated to
tluim by inspiration on the subject of their
writinjjs was applied in the same nnuiner as
any knowledge ac(iuired by ordinary nu'ans.
JVor is it to be supposed that they were thus in-
spired in every fart ichich they related, or in
every precept which they delivered.'"

One would think that such an opinion from
a nutred head and learned theologian would
liavo a great tendency to " unsettle " the (pieB-
tion of scriptural iusiiiration and to "shake
the foundatirm of faith."

Another bishoi> — Hinds of Norwich— savs :

" It is not, therefore, truths of all kinds wh'ich
the Bible is inspired to teach, but only such
truth as tends to religious edification ; and the
Bil)le is consequently infalllbh; as far as re-
gards this, and this alone." Tliis is anoUier
blow against plenary inspiration, and leaves us
completoly in doubt as to whether the account
of th(! creation of the world, or scriptural his-
tory, be true or falst;.

Bishop Mamden, of Hereford, says :

" So independent is the science of ethics of
the sujiport and ennobling which it receives
from religion that it would be nothing strange
or object ionable in a revelation W(;n! we to find
embodied in its language much of the fetlse
ethinil philosophy which systems nuiy have es-
tablished !" Archbishop Vvhately favors this
view in the following passage :

" In matters unconnected, indeed, with reli-
gion, such as points of history or natural jdit-
losophy, a writer who professes (as tlitj apostles
do) to be communicating a divine revelation
imparted to him, through the means ofn^ira-
cle, may be as liable to error as other men,
without any disparagement to his preten-
sion !"

Lt! Clerc, a great Christian' writer, in his
(liHiiuipition upon inspiration, remarks: "It
nuiy be said that the books in the Jewish
canon ought to be ncknowledgt^d as divinely
inspired, rather than the Apocrypha, that
were never in it. I answer, first, that no
cb'ar reason is brought to convince us that
tliose who nuidc the canon, or catalogue of
their books, were infallible, or had any inspir-
ation whereby to distinguish inspired books
from those which were not inspired."

And the great Neander writes, " It must be
regarded as one of the greatest boons which
the i)urifying process of Protestant theology
in (lermany lias conferred on the faith, as well
as science, tliat the old mechanical view of in-
spirationliasbeen so genendly abandoned .^"

Among other prominent oi'thodox writers,
Arnold, Coleridge, Kingsley, Morell, Maurice,
and Macnaught are clergymen who sustain
the sanu^ views.

A large number of the orthodox, however,
are shocked at these opinions; and one, the
Bev. "^Ir. Noble, in supporting plenary inspir-
ation, asks :

" Now, how do the free thinkers receive
these concessions so liberally made V The
advocates of revelation may be regarded as
saying to them, ' See ! we have come half
way to meet you ; surely, you will not obsti-
nately refuse belief, now that we require you
to believe so little.' What does the free-
thinker answer V He says, ' You are admit-
ting, as fast as you can, that we are in the
right. If you, who view the subject through
the preju(';c<'s of your pro^'ession, are con-
strained to give up half of what we demand,
unbiassed persons will augur from the ad-
mission that truth would require a surrender
of the tchole.' " The reverend gentleman then

102

EXETER HALL.

oxdaima, " No, my friends nnil brctlircn. II»^
wlio would ertbctimlly d»"f»'ntl tlu? C'liristinn
faith must take liin stniul on hi^'luT ground
ilian tills. What! tell thu world that to es-
cajK' tho incivahin^j inllutMico «)f lutidclity
they must surrender the plenary Insjiiration
of the Scriptures! As well nii<rht we tell
them that to obtain security when a Hood is
risinjj they should <iuit the toj) of a moun-
tain to take refuffo In a cave at its_ base.

" AfBuredly this is a state of things calcu-
lated to fill the breast of the sincere and hum-
bleChristian with jirofouud concern if not with'
deep alarm. On the one hand, he beholds
divine revelation assaulted with unp.recedented
fury and snbtletj by those who av»w them-
selves its enemies ; on the other, hi; sees it half
betrayed and deseiled by those who rerjard
them.selves as its friends. Every devout be-
liever in revelation teels an inward predilec-
tion for tho opinion that the insfiiration of
a divinely communicated writin^f must be
l)lenary and absolute. lie feeds fjreat juiin on
beinp told that this is a mistaken notion ; that
he must surrender many thinpfs in the sacred
writing, to tlie enemy to retain any chance
of preserving the rest ; that he must believe;
tlu' writers of tlu' Scriptures to have been
liable to error, as a preliminary to his assur-
ance that the relif^ion of the Scriptures is true.
Surely, every one whose lieart does not take
part with tlie assailant of his faith must be
jrlad to be refieved from the necessity of
nuikinf? surrenders so fatal."

If men trained to theolojry and "called" to
preach theUospel can so disiaite amonj; them-
selves conc(!ruinpf the full or the partial inspi-
ration of the Christian Scriptures — a very es
sential matter — how are " poor peasants and
simple women" to decide the question ?
Either they must blindly believe — as. indeed,
many do— all that is recorded in " divine rev-
elation" about the creation of the world, the
flood, and the other stranjjo events, or else
doubt the whole. It is positive stupidity to
follow ])riestly " blind jjuides," who are them-
selves merely j?ro])ing in the dark, not only
on the question of inspiration, but on other
points of equal importance ; and it is a delu-
sion to countenance any longer that broad
farce of " infallibility," which presumptuous
teachers still set up for their respective
churches. With all the glaring defects of
their religious systiMn, these men periodically
attend ftt Exeter Hall, and unblushingly de-
mand more money to continue the circulation
of a so-called revelation, as being " truth
without a mixture of error," but which " sci-
ence, art, and history" have proved false, and
which has been already rejected as spurious
by a vast number of the thoughtful and intel-
ligent in every part of the world.

As an evidence of public opinion on this
subject, about the time the great Bible Society
meeting took place, the London Morning Mail
published the following remarks :

" The May meetings of Exeter Hall are now
in full blast. Sanctimonious pride walks the
stage, and blatant hypocrisy invokes the sym-
pathy and material aid of as. inbled thou-
eands for objects impossible of accom])lish-
mcnt, Under pretense of forwai-ding these

objects, a host of Becrotaries rp]ilenish tholr
purses, and missionanes, ministers, and ngt'uts
of all sorts draw fat and easy salaries. From
real misery at their very doors, these men turn
rway, and fix their gaze on olijects ju'rlectly
ideal. As to so-called missionary operations
in other countries, experience luis shown how
little dependence is to be placed on the repre-
sentations made by saintly secretaries, and by
the ]>ious movi-rs and see-onders of resolutions
who figure on these occasions. Missionaries
are not content nu'rely to thrive upon the cre-
dulity a porticm of the British public ailbrd
them. In New-Zealand, as we know, they
have been the great instigators of the Maori
insurrection; in connection with the Chinese
rebels, they have i)layed a i)art by no means
creditable, and have sought to mislead ])ublic
ojiinion as to the objects had in view by those
murdereisand cut tlimats called theTaepings.
As to tho home objects represented by the Ex-
eter Hall fanatics, we would only be too glad
to point to any results i)roi)ortionate to the
amount of money placed at their disposal. It
is humiliating to see such a superabundance
of false sentimentality in the comnumity —
such readiness on the i)art of thousands to be-
come; the dupes of designing men. As long
as a set of benighted spinsters can be found to
contribute to the sui)port of these vagrant
Sjjurgeons, so long must the Exeter Hall gath-
erings prosper. They enjoy a certain amount
of excitement, and pay the price. We should
be glad, indeed, could we disabuse them of the
idea that Exeter Hall is the straight road to
heaven."

CHAPTER XX.

ALTiiorGn ihe meeting in the regular Bap-
tist church failed to appoint a delegate to the
great Bible Society anniversary at Exeter
Hall, yet, as has been noticed, it did not deter
the rival heads of the antagonistic sects from
making their, appearance on that occasion;
and it singularly happened that, from the unu-
sual crowd of clergy and foreigners, the mod-
erator, Dr. Buster, was forced to take a chair
between his reverend opponents, James Baker
and Jonah Hall. This was ratlier a trying
position ; there could be no friendly side whis-
pers between them as among others. Within
two inches of his right elbow, his Methodistic
friend Baker sat rigid aiid stern ; while equal-
ly close, on the other side, the liiimorous J<mah
seemed to enjoy his proximity to so much
greatness: and though ho tried hard to as-
sume the conventional gravity of " tlu; cloth,
yet occasionally his eyes would turn obliquel"
on the portly form of the moderator, and y
faint smile would appear as he thought of his
late discomfiture.

The doctor, indeed, could have wished him-
self any where else ; he looked crest-fallen, and
it was to him a particular trial of human na-
ture t(- wear that lamb-like expressitm so re-
quisite under the converging gaze of Christian
eyes from all quarters of the great building.
He felt greatly mortified, especially as he knew
that a crowd of admiring friends and many
devoted ladies wished to hear his sonorous

EXETER HALL.

108

lisli tlioir

11(1 n<r<'nt8

H. From

iiu-n turn

IK'rl'cctly

ilM'rntionH

own how

lu! n-prc-

t*, aii(l by

I'soliitionH

ssionarii'H

n lilt' rrc-

ilic alliird

low, tlit'y

tlio Maori

t^ C'liini'se

no means

ad jjublic

f by tliosf;

Tacpinjia.

)y tlu> Kx-

too {xlail
ito to the
l)osal. It
bnndance
imnnity —
inds to bo-

As hmfj
le found to

vajjrant
Hall jrath-
in amount
Ac; shouhl
lem of the
ht road to

volco on behalf of tho Bibh* ; but the mean ' stretched hirt h\'',y lenjjth arrnsa the sunlit

Tular Bap-
rate to the
at Exeter
I not deter
sects from

occasion ;
n the unii-
1, the mod-
ke a chair
nies Baker

a trying

side wliis-
I. AVitliin
fethodistic
\\\\i? cqual-
■ous Jonali
I so much
ard to as-
the cloth,

obliquel"
tor, and y
ight of his

ished hini-
fallen,and
iiuman na-
si on BO re-
' Christian
building.
»8 he knew
and many
B sonox'ous

jealousy of the vt^y men i)etweeii whom h<
was now placed prevenKi I the delivery of the
(;lo(luent HpetH-h which he had |>repari;d witii
such labor, and hail saved infidelity from tlie
•.vitheriu^ rebuke which In- felt himsi-if able
to uive, and which might have exalttut him iu
tlie opinion of the foreign (h'pututions(»f trui?
luflievers. Vet, were then; no sinh jealousy,
were that obstacle to his usetnlne^^s removed,

doorway, and Wdliam, who was more delicate
that! ever, laid his liead in Hannah's lap, and
looked (ij) through the lattieiswopk at the
bright blue sky, and watched the Hitting
clou<ls as tiiey passed along; while she, with
iiiciotonous voice, reiul, for their muttuil editi-
'■ation, jtassages from lu^r treasured little IxMik,
tie I'llijriiit'n I'rof/nsM. Now and tlien, as
some particular part coiieerning Christian or

and were he even surnMuided on that iilatform Evangtilist, or soincr other of the many churac-

i»y such trusty nud<! and female sHints as usu-
ally greeteil him in tlu! pleusanl iPiulor of his
subordinate, the Uev. Alexander (.'iim|ibill— it |
would not avail. lie could not cummand ai
word or arrange an iih^a on any subject '
whil(! then! was one man unexpe.-tedly present
who he lielieved could guess at iiis thougiits.
who knew sonu'thingof his motives, and who
might have witnessed an act which an enemy j
ould turn greatly to his disudvuntage. That !

ters depicted in that jxtpular similitude ne(;d(d
explanation, and whiit; still looking up. he
would ask Hannah ; and often aft(;r she had
tried to unriddle the mystery, slm would leave
it more unintelligible than ever, i^he seemed,
as usual, to be woiulerfully interested in the re-
hi'ursal of the mirrative; sIk^ must have rtnid
it over and over Jiiuri! than twenty times. a:id
he would be a fool indeed who could seek to
rob her — simph; soul — of the i)leas:int emo-

man he feared and hated, and were il possil)le tioiis which its ])enisal atforded by trying to
to havt! annihilated him with a scowl, the rev- j convince her that it had no reality. There
erend doctor would have done so. j are certain minds more jth-ased with the sha-

Almost immediately in front of the jjlatform, I (low of mystery than with the broad light of
Martin Mannoivs, and his wile, and daughter naked fact
were seateil. Mr. ( 'apel and Samuel Styles were

al.so ])re3('nt. Mr. Maniun'S seemed in a com-
placent study of thediiferent faces Ix'fore him,
and no one listened with greater attenti(»ii to
the several sptundies delivered on the occasion.
But when his look happened to rest for a mo-
ment on the moderator's face, that dignitary
a!)p;'artHl to be atl'ected with a nervous tsvitch-
ing of the right eye, which caused him repi^at-
edly to adjust his gold mounted glass as if
merely desirous of scanning the vast a.ssembly.
His situation was evidently very unpleasant,
yet the doctor sustained the i)art he was forced
to a::t; and, on the evening of that day, when
again in the liou.s(! of his friend, the pastor of
St. Andrews, the moderator once more wore
the saintly smile of a martyr. lie expressed
tlie satisfaction Ik* had felt in having bticn jxt-

Al'ter a long jiause in his in(]uiries, during
which William seemed to have b(.'"n specula-
ting on the height of the clouds or the depth
of the blue sky, he suddenly asked:

" Hannah, why does ma pray — why do you
liray 'i"

Sh(^ raised her eyes from the l)ook, and, look-
ing down at his pale face, said : " i'ray '! Why,
(Jod tells us to pray, we must ])ray for what
W(! want : we can't get to heaven unless we
do so. Wicked pi^ople never pray."

"Nev((r? Then wcm't God give ns what
we want, or let us go i > heaven unless we
pray Y"

" Xo; never. We must all pray — all, every
on(\"

William thought awhile, and then said:
" ^7hy doesn't pa pray — he never i)rays. Is

raitted to take even a secondary j)art at the ho wicked, and won't Ik' go to heaven '!"

Hannah hesitated for a time, and then re-
plied, " Oh ! your pa will so(m irniy, (lod
will make him do so ; he will, and then, when
you die you'll S(!e him with ma in heaven."

"Will P(jp be there, too V"

" Y(;s, Miss Mary will be up there with the
angels."

Why doesn't God make every one pray,

groat meeting; it was the part he most admir-
ed. To sit at the feet of the eminent Christians
who had spoken, and to hear and U-arn from
them was most in accordance witli his own
foldings ; and as he lisiu'd Ciospel promises to
the pious sisters who were present, he rublied
his hands in ecstasy and blessed the liord for

what had been done that day in Kxeter Hall i -^

for the filrthc-T spread of the "glorious Gos- j why didn't he make every body good'^"
pel." I "Oh! well," said Hannah, pausing, and

While Mr. Mannors and his friends were somewhat perplexed, " I don't know — I don't,
listening to the in-cmiinent and distinguish(;d | indeed."

expounders of the Bible at the great meeting, | "If pa doesn't pray, then he won't go to
Hannah and William remained at home ; ancl heaven '!"
after she had bustled through her morning's i " No."'
work, and put things in order all through the | " Nor Pop ?"
house, she and William — and John Bunyan of , " Xor any body ?"

oursv! — retiredfnmithebusyouter world, and, "Then I won't die — I d(m't want to goto
like humble pilgrims, to(jk refuge in thi^sum- heaven !"

mer-house. There, surrounded with young, " Oh ! dear child," said she tenderly, " don't
aspiring vines and tender creeping plants, say that ; 'twould be very, very wicked not tc
they sat, side by side, on a low seat. The wish to go to heaven. VVliat would your ma
young llowtu's in the jileasant garden bent
gently as the fragrant air passed through their
blushing petals, and the dull sound of busy
life fnmi the city reacdied tlia ear like tho
lulling flow of distant Avatcrs. Flounce

say V ' •

But WilliKin lieedtul not ; he was again
busy watching the clouds, or looking for some
oi)ening in the sky to peer right into paradise.
In a short time he again asked :

^mm

104

EXETER HALL.

" Is every body in heaven jffood ; do no wick-
ed or bad peoplo ever get there?"

" Iiiipo93ible !" said Hannah, astonished,
" impossible ! God lives in heaven, that's his
homo, and all his bright and holy angels are
up thtjre with him. All tl. . saints, and all the
rnaityrs and poor pilgrims, and all tin holy
people that ever died are in heaven with God ;
your ma, and yoii, and I will bo there und I
hope your pa, and Miss Mary, and a ^reat
many otliers ;" and then, raising her oxtonded
hands and looking fervently upward with a
brig)it smile, she continued : " Oli ! yes, up, up
on high with dod, forever, and ever, and
ever."

An expression of solemnity rested upon the
boy's face as ho stil' 'nquired : " Arc you sure
that no bad pen]) i;ver got into heaven or
ever lived there, Hannah?"

" Oil ! nothing sinful or wicked can be
where God is — notliing! impossible! every
thing in heaven is so good and hapi^y."

"But ma says that God is ev ."where;
that he is on this earth, which she says is so
verv wicked, and tliat we are very wicked
too.*"

"Oh! yes," followed Hannah somewhat ab-
stractedly , " yes, we're very, very wicked
indeed. '

" And then," continued William, " how
did Satan and all his wicked angels get into
lu'aven? Ma told me that they once Jived
there with God, and that they got very
wicked, and that there was a war in heaven,
and tliat God sent Michatl and his angds
to fight with them, and then that God cast
Saian and his angels down out of heaven.
Didn't these wicked iingi Is <mce live hi
heaven, and wasn't there fighting up there,
too?"

Hruinah now looked more confounded than
ever; she laid her book asi^ile and r'-nuiiucd
tliouglitful for a time, while the boy's large,
in(iuirin;f eyes were still fixed ujion hers.

" Well, dear child, I'm sure I don't know
how these wicked ones got into heaven ; they
were there i su[>pose, for the. 13ilih? says so.
'Tis a mystery we can't understand, but it will
be all made plain to us some day."

With this comfortable assurance, she re-
sumed her book, but not to read ; she
looked over a fi-.v ])ages here and there, tlun
closed it again, and coiumenced, in a soft, low
voice, to sing ouo of her favorite hymns —

" TIu re is a liind of pure dolitrlit,
WlieiT faints iniiiiorliil rcisu;
Inflniij day exiiudes tlm nij;lit,
And j)lea!-uros banish puiu.

" Tliero pvcrlai^tins; f^prinu: abides,
And novor-witliorin;; I1o\v(M's ;
Death, liko a narrow sea. divides
T JiB hcuvenly land I'roiu ours."

She had scarcely finished the second verse;,
before Willisim's weary lids began to close,
and as the last words ho henrd distiiu'tlv were
nliout the " heavenly land," he wei\t away
there in his nud-day dream — t'xvn Flounce
followed him. There was soft, lieavenly mu-
sic, and he wandered about tliose "sweet
fields" with his fatlusr and mother, and Mary
aud Hannah, And hutold them how blissful he

felt to have them with him at last, and that
they should nev(!r, never go back to earth,
never more be wicked, nor ever part again.

While William thus slept, Hannah, poor
kind creature, tri«l not to disturb Ids quiet
slunjbers. ShcAvatched the ]mle aivd v/earied
features of the slee[)ing boy, like some hover-
ing, compassionate angel — yet only an angel
of the earth — and for nearly two lioui-s
, longer she felt almost ])erfect ]ia])i'iness,
.while softly singing hjnin after hymn, and
' verse after verse, in her own simide way, and
I comforting herself with delightful thoughts
of the i)ilgrim'8 land, of which her anticipa-
tions led her to think that

" Xo chillinz winds nor poisonous breath,
Can reach that healthlul shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more."

She ceased at last, and, as she closed, her
voice died away with tlio sound of the eve-
ning bells from the distant city.

" Why, Hannah, my goodness ! how still you
keel)," said Mrs. Mannors looking into the door-
way; she had stepped lightly along the garden
walk and gave her maid such a pleasant eur-
I prise. " And is my jwor bo^ sleeping ?" said
I she, stooping and tenderly kissing his fore-
I head. And then, looking att'ectionately at
I Hannah, who had watched over his slumbers,
cried, "O you good, kind, loving Hannah!
, (iod bless your tendiT heart ! what should we
j do wiihoiit you ? Wake up, my dear," said she,
j gently taking William's liand, " wake up, un-
, til 1 tell ^'ou all about what we s?w today in
i the city."

" O ma !" said Williatn, stretching him-
' self, " I have had such a nice dream, 1, never
wanted to wake aualn ; but wliere's Pop?"
I said he, lof)king around.

" Here 1 am, you lazy fellow," said .^lary, gli-

1 ding ill with the sunlight. " Have you been

I sleeping all the time we were away ?" She

I seated herself by his side, and ran her fingers

through his brown silken hair.

j " Imteed, ho has not," said Hannah ; " we

j have had such a hmg talli about many things

—things that you should talk about sonmtimes,

I Miss Mary ; and then, when he grew tired, he

sleiit a little, Avhile I cang."

" I'm sure you were very happy ; of c> e
you were." said Mrs. Mannors; "the i..ord
was with you. I left you under his ])rotecting
carc! during my absence. And then wo liad
such a glorious time in Exeter Hall — such a
crowd of jieojile ; such a number of ministers
and jiious foreigners. The work of the Lord
has surely prospered this day — I know it.
Ihit let us go in. and I will tell you all about
ilw meeting after tea."

Mary and \N'illiam, followed l)y Flounce, led
the way to the house, while Mrs. Mannors
and her faithful maid walked slowly after,
talking about the great sums which had been
poured that day into the treasurj- of the Lord.
Mr. Mannors eturned xciy much ]ileased
that he had .itf(^nde<l the great Bible nu-eting ;
he had heard all that the principal ministers
of ditf'crint sects had to say ccmci^rning the
spread of the Gos[)el ; he had heard their fu-
tile insinuations against skepticism, and their
admission of its growth nnd inliueuco in

EXETER HALL.

105

hifjh places, among eminent men — even
witliin tlio " visible cliuvch" itself! And lie
felt satisliea that, tbouj,fli t\wy spoke of tlie
present and future with such lofty confidence,
they Honietimes feared that the whole struc-
ture of Christianity vas growinj; more and
more insecure. Samuel Styles did not ac-
company them to Hampstea.., but went to the
Ued Lion, where he agreed to meet Mr. Mau-
uors the next day.

Jlr. C'apt'l, of all others, seemed to he the
most tflssatisfied. lie, too, had heard all the
trroat speccIu'S and all the news whidi Mrs.
Mtiunors had emphasized as " jjlorinus ;" still
he seemed demure and thoufrhtful ; even Mr.
Maunors f(.'lt a share of surprise, aud once or
twice tried to rally him, Init with liltle ettect.
Liitierly, indeed, au wcasioiial abstraction was
oliservable, but it was of short duration ; his
natural cheerfulness was like a rainbow over
every cloud; but now the cloud was there,
and no rainbow could be seen, nor {glimpse
of l.'ue sky beyond. Mrs. Mannors also no-
tii- (1 his unusiuil <!:ravity, and, of course, at-
tributed it to religious emotion. lie was, no
doubt, pondering upon some of the truths he
had heard that day, and was probably aifected
concerning the state of the perishing millions
which he had been told were yet in heathen-
ish darkness — doomed to eternal miseiy.
Such a state of nnnd, she thought, was ail
Vv ry proper in a minister ; slie was rather.
pleased than otherwise ; for, 'contrary to all
exiH'Ctation, she had begun to thiulv that he
was not quite as diligent as he might be ;
l)iil lest slu! sliould misjudge one of God's ser-
vants, she only very cautiously mentioned her
•loubts to one C(mfiding heart — to Hannah
alone; and now again she believed that, in
I'u.uver to her prayers, tlod was aboui to man-
liest himself and increase the usefulness of
one of his human agents — of this she had no
doubt.

Mr. Capel sat near the open window, and
watched the lieautiful sunset, and saw the
evening shadows gather arouml the (lroo])ing
l! iwers ; the distant, motionless cloud lookeil
like a nu)untain (>f sap])1iire in the waning
red light. How peacefully nature ai)proached
with its season for slumbcu', and how he ;
t'Hvied the cahn which seeincvl to rest npon ,
tli(i inanimate world. But his mind, at that
still hour, was like the stormy ocean, and his i
iii'art wafl heavy in anticipatiiui of the ap-
Jiroaclung tiials which he feared he had to |
undergo. Still he had courage to face any |
ordeal in a just cause ; but, just or unjust, ho I
♦'•■II that a trial of some kind was unavoidabh;. '
Then, again, he thought it might be ke()t ott"
he would try and avoid a colli>ion ; and then,
when he thought of his position — a reputed
preacher of tlm (lospel — he drew a heavy
sigU, and muttered to himself, " It is inevi-
t; !ile."

He was now alone, and he heard Mrs. Man-
nors's voice in an adjoining room. She was
busy giving a rtdation of all she had seen and
heard that day at Exeter HalJ ; she dwelt
especially n]«)n thi; many renuirks nuule
a;>ainsi the growing inlichdity of the day, and
how the " word of (iod" was to triumph
over every adversary. But to him who went

'. there too in search of hope, how different was
the feeling! In suitport of the Eiblo, he
; was treated to a ndiash of flippant assertions
I and a round of the usual orthodox assump-
; tlons. The clerical defenders of revelation
I did not attempt to establish scriptural truth
■ on tlm basis of n ason or science, but more as
I the result of faith evidenced in the feelings
I aud atl'eetions of "])oor jteasants and simple
\ wonievi ;" while science, art, history, and arith-
metic were i'rowned upon as the trusty allies
of skepticism. ■

" Vou have become more serious since your
visit to Exeter Hall,"' said ]SIr. Mannors
kindly, as he i)laced his chair near him. " You
are nor, I ])resmne, entirely satislied with all
you heard on the occasion."

" To be candid, I am not."

" Wfll, I can not say that I feel disappointed.
Of course, we coul I not expi'Ct to hear a
learned defense of tin* Scrii>tures at such a
tinu! ; but one would think that wc! should
liave heard better reasons tor a contimuition
of the heavy, voluntary tax on the pockets of
belicivers. (.'irculate the Scri))tures, is the
great cry at Exeter Hall ; but the speakers en-
tirely failed to prove that that circidation had
r-.'sulted in any permanent benelit, so lar,
fidu'r to .lew or heathen, or even to the na-
tions so long nnder its inlluence. The luiests
alone arc' the great gainers. It mi^ht not be
too much to assert that the united incomes
and salaries of the state bishops, aud ju'lests,
and other clergymen f)n the plat form to-day,
would be more than sullicient to rid one of our
most populous parishes of the ^vant and near-
ly actual famine which drives so numy to
crime. Xo other class who ])rofi'ss to labor
do so little or get so much as the priests of
Christendom at the present day. No v.dndcr
that their united aim is against skepticism,
which is so vigorously denouncing their pie-
t(>nsions. Let ClMstianity ]n'evail again as it
did once in Europe, and once lucn-e we should
have gloomy fanatics, intohu-ance, and an in-
quisition ; then, alas! for human progress or
liberty. We should again hawi bigoteil Puri-
tans, and m(Mi like Docter Buster lording it in
a Star Chamber ; and a tribe of bishojjs as
greedy as Winchester, who, whih> advocating
the spr(>ad of the (h)S[)el, would tax the poor
num's bread to increase benefices and to double
<u- treble their i)res<'nt exorbitant incomes;
ami again we should have reenactments for the
enrorcemen., of test-oaths and religious penal-
ties."

" Then am I to be one of that class you re-
proach '.' Shall I remain as I am, and be consid-
ered the ally of such men as Doctor BustcT
aud the bishop of Wiuchesti'r — even a co-
worker with James BakerV" Mr. Capel was
still looking out at the flowers, and a shadow
had already overspn-ad his face.

" Yes, if you think you're right ; if not , leave
the narro'A track in which you have* been
treading, an I move out boldly upon the great
highway of orc^gress. Be fu'i; !" Mr. Man-
nors spoke Av'th uiiiisual energy, and when
Mr. Capel turned to reply, he saw that emo-
tional glow, the emblem of sincerity, resting
upon his tjeatures.

" 1 may have been on that highway for

106

EXETER HALL.

fe'i

i'v

•M

Ml i'^

1 '-^.

Bome timo ; I hp,ve ventured out stealthily, like
oue afraid to meet a traveler — ufrnid to ask
whether I was on the ri]trht road. I know not
where 1 am now. You asked me to investi-
gate, and, when I commenced, I left the beaten
track in which I had so lon^ paced backward
and forward without makiuff an advance.
Yes, I have read and re-read the books which
you mentioned, and have read others for and
ayainst the creed which I was traine<l I'roi '
infancy to bel'eve as truth ; now I am likt- one
confused, like one blinded by the dust whirli
he has raised about him — uncertain which
way to move. 1 have ^one back for aid to
Pafey, and to Butler, and to others, but to re-
turn more (lisai)i)ointed than ever. I have
searched the most learned exjiositions without
avail ; and to-dny i attended at Exeti'r Hall,
f'lly to be mortified at the jiretensions and
seif-sutlicicncy of the very class to whom 1 am
BU])]K)sevi to belonjj. I am luirborinfj terrible
doubts, and am therefore in a false position."
" And yet how much bi;tter than to be like
an owl at twilijfht, content to hoot and flap
within the ivied ruins of a church tower.
You have dared to doubt ; that is a step to-
ward freedom ; even one pace outside the
charmed circle of theolofry. Doubt is but the
dawniny; of truth. lie n(.t afraid to advance ;
walk oat into the broad hijji'hway ; look up at
the lijiht. and then go on ; for progress may
be eternal."

" One step outside that circle would make
me an apostate, to be laden with reproach.
Apostasy is but infamy in the eyes of the
faithful ; even once made a crime, to be ])m\-
ished with ileath. That jienally can not now
be exacted, but the ostracism of religion will
remain. I can not avoid my doubts, but I :
dread the ordeal which may follow." |

" Take coiu'agt! ; hav<! freedom at any price. '
Mental slavery is the most degrading. If in '
bursting your fetters you should receive a ■
wound, time will heal it ; and though bigotry ,
may point to the scar as a mark of degrada- '
tion, it will Ik! to yourself and to the pro- '
gressive a pruud mark obtained in the cause !
of true liberty." !

It was late that night before these friends !
retired ; but had Mrs. Manners stood by and !
heard all they had said, she woidd Ivave been
amazed at the want of faith in him who was
to have wrought such a change in her house-
hold, and she might have exclaimed, "
Ephraim ! what shall I do unto thee V O J udah !
what shall I do unto tbee? for your good-
ness is as a nu)rning cloud, and as the early
dew it goelh away."

That same evening, after tlieir return from
Ex ter Hall, Mrs. Baker entertained a few
fr lids — some members of her class besides
Mr. Wesley Jacobs, the local i)reaclur. Thonuis
lioistiT, and one or two other iiiHiiential church
members on the circuit. Nearly all spoke in
praise of the Bible Society, and of the jilea-
siLfe atforded them in witnessing such unani-
mity among members of ditlerent i)ersuasions.
Oiu' and ail were, however, i)articularly de-
lighted that Doctor Buster's pride had been
humi)led ; and Mr. Baker wore a smile of
quilt satisfaction at the thought that the re-
sult of hiH counter-plot had been so success-

ful, and that the great Proshyterian champion
and his allies had been force<l to submit.
Indeed, he felt as satisfied of his own individual
prowess in the achievement of this victory as
Le did of the supremacy of Methodism over
every other ism of the day.

" What a i)ity, friends." said he, " that such
a distinguished lu-ro of Black Presbyt^-rianism
; should 1)0 obliged to sit so nu'eklyj^between
myself and Jonah Hall, and never get a chance
to say more than Ai/wii the whole day. I
fancy they won't send nus another invitation
in a hurry to attend at brother Cah^b Howes
I Baptist wash-house ; but we'll watch them for
the future, and if they catch nu; asleep, why,
; then, they're welcome' to all they can ge.."
I " I declare, brother," said the local preacher,
I "the doctor did keep unusually .still to-day;
he has assurance enough, he can bt> bold if lie
, likes but 1 thought there whs some other in-
fluence at work to keep him quiet. A ])opu-
larity hunter like him is not easily silenced,
I es])ecially when he could not fail to notice so
j many of his admirers presei t."
I "It was rather strange; he fancied, I sup-
I pose, that none of us humble preachers
i would have the assurance to appear on the
: jdatform alongside of his dignity, and that he
'■ would have iit ail to himself, w'lu'ther or no.
Wasn't he mistaken though V However, I think
the thictor was not himself ; he was as lidgetiy
as a sick bear, and for s(mie reason < r other he
seemed to keep a watchful eye, eithiT upon
that sedatii impostor, Martin Manners, who
' was right in front of us, or upon 1 is vvifn or
daughter ; while he, in turn, stared back as de-
fiantly. There's something, 1 think, between
that precious pair ; I must find it out from
, brother Capel."

I " I almost forgot. " said a pious sister, " How
I is sister ^Manners likely to succeed '? Do you
■ thiidc that brother Cajjcl will add another seal
: to his ministry bv the conversion of her hus
' band V"

" The Lord alone can tell," nu'ekly rejdied
Mrs. Baker, "the work is in his hands. Our
poor sister is still hopeful; but her luLsbaiul
is yet i)utt'ed up with the pride of his heart.
Alas 1 his day of grace may be already yiassed ;
he maylxi left to the sole comfort oi'liisweak
reason. You know Avhat the Scri))ture8 say.
'Mysjurit shall not always strive with man.'
He may yet bewail, and saj,

'Ah ! wrelrV. tl'tit I am ! I can only oxdniin,

Like II devil lonnented williiii,
My Siivioiir is juone, and 1ms \v.li nie alono

To tlic fury dI' Satan and »in.' "

"Let him go," said Mr. Baker testily. "I
never had any hope of Ins submission to' truth.
Let him go with the rest. I jilace but little
confidence in what our state bishops say on be-
half of true religion ; th(!y are greedy imjjos-
tors ; but I \\as glad to hear them rate infidel
ity at its projxr vahus ; and that, too, in the
])resence of such an upholder. Psha ! brother
<."ai)el has no more influence over that man
than 1 would hav(! over the Pope of Bonn-."

"And yet^" pleaded one of tin; youngest
sisters, "ycm see he had sufficient iriHuenci! to
induce 'lim to attend at Exeter Hall."

" Not a bit of it, sist<'r ; it was all a matter
of mcie curiosity. Martin Manuors went there

mn^

EXETER HALL.

107

I champion

to siibmit.

individual

victory as

)di8in over

" that such
ntcrianinni
lyj^l)ctw<H'n
:t't, a chance
)lo day. I
■ invitation
U'h Howes
di them for
iHleep, why,
»n fve.."
il preacher,
itill to-duy ;
c bold il" he
ne other in-
t. A popu-
ly nlenced,
() notice go

cied, I sup-
preachers
)ear on the
and that he
■ther or no.
Ljver, 1 think
sasiidgetty

( r otlier he
either upon
nnorrt, wlio

I is wife or
1 hack usde-
nk, between
it out from

inter, " How
1? Do you

another 6<eal
of her hus-

kly replied
andB. Our
er husband
f his lieart.
ady y)asyed ;
ot liis weak
ijitures say,
with man.'

'xcliiim,
alone

ti'ritily. " I

ion to truth.

■e l)Ut little

i)K say on be-

■ecdy imjjos-

rate infidel

, too, in the

ha! brother

r tliat man

' of Home.'

lie ycmnRest

iiiHuenc« to

all."

all a matter
H went there

to criticise — to hear what could be said ; I ' thougrht and interest were manifested. Tlie
know him." j prevailing theme related to the peculiar efforts

"I didn't thinlij]^\ich of the speeches, any resorted to for the pro])ajTation of Christianity
way," said Mr. TBlonias Bolster, a very stroiifr and its eleemosynary system of taxation ; and
Metliodist. " We all know what the bisliops in the buzz of conversation one could easily
are ; Spurjjreon and his little apple were very detect that the State Cliurch, the aristocracy,
imicli alike. I think our secretary made the | the Bible Society, and Exeter Hall, bishops,
only sptiech worth hearinj?." j parsons, priests, and preachers came in for no

'• Wife," said Mr. Baker suddenly, after a small share of animadversion. Samuel watch-
inonient's thought, " was brother Capel here ed the face of more than one eager sj)euker, and
hitely V" j he sf)on became satisfied that though several of

" No ; not for oome days ; not, I think, since those around him had a somewhat rough ex-
you returned from district meeting." terior, they liad manly hearts, and were men

" Vi'ry strange! I do not know how it is, who had read and thouglit for themselves —
I see liim but seldom. I liad scarcely tinu; to were a type of the free and progressive spirit
say,' How do you do V' tolnm after the meeting of the British nation ; men who could not be
to-day before he was off again with his I'riends. intimidated l)y royal threats or hu'dly frowns,
Heoiiglit to have called here upon his return or made tamely submissive to tlio pn-judiced
from the circuit. He must be greatly devoted and oppressive acts of any servile or aristo-
to sister Manners, or to her husband, or some cratic Parliament. ..

one of her family. I have Iieard tliat he enter- A notice, placed in a consi)icuons part of the
tains a most exalted opinion of his friend Man- room, stated tliat the n^gularVeekly meeting
nors ; it can not be on account of his religious of tlie Secularists of the Strand district would

principles. Then,' c<nitinued he sharply,
" what is it for ; what is the nature of the Ijond '!
This must be looked after." But suddenly
cliecking himself, he adroitly turned the con-
versation on Doctor Buster and tlie bishops ;
he was too cautious to scrutinize tlie conduct

be held at their large hall, in a street within a
short distance ot tiie lied Lion. In about
half an hour, there was a general movement of
all for the place ; and Samuel, l)eing anxious
to go, and having previously lornied a friendly
ac(iuaintance witii several of the visitors, was

of tlie junior ])reacher before any of the tlock ; particularly invited to attend thi; meeting.

he would have a long talk with liis wife al)out
him when the friends went home.

After sundry cups of tea and other morii
solid refreshments had been piously consum-
ed, Mr. Balcei', with brothers BoLster and

Taking the arm of the secretary, h ; followed
the crowd, and in a few minutes was conducted
to a seat in a spacious and well-lighted hall,
capable of accommodating seven or eight hun-
dred persons, and wliicli was already more

Jacobs, stealthily retired to light their pipes ' than two thirds filled when he entered. The

in th(» kitchen, while the sisters were left speaker's platform was elevated about two

chatting agreealdy at the tea-talile. In about feet aliove the floor, and mottoes or trite

half an hour, they all reas.semb]ed in the littJe phrases, printed in large letters, could be seen

parlor. Mr. Wesh^y Jacolis gave a peculiar in several conspicuous places. One over the

sigh, and made a favorite allusion to tlie pre- platform read : " Beason, our most intellectual

8(!nce wliich would be manifested where two g^ide." Another, " Hear all sides," and above

or three were gathered together in the name these, and almost touching the frescoed ceil-

of the Lord. There was then a round of pray- ing. tlu! word " Tuurii," in golden text-chu-

er for the spread of the (lospel and the con-
version of the world ; and Air. Baker made a
closing and patlu^tic appeal forth(! increase *)f
the Weslt^yan t'hurcli, lor all who were in

racters. flashed down upon the assembly.

Tli(! hall was soon crowded, and a number of
well-trained singerj? in front commenced the
following liberal song, which, from the pecu

trouble, for all who W(»r(! in error, for the poor liarity of tin; words and harmony of the air,
biMiighted heathen, and for missionaries far, ami excellent manner of performance, seemed
far away.

CHAPTER XXL

Onr evening, a day or two after the Bible
meeting, Samuel Sijdes (Mitered the large room
of the Red liion. He found it well filhul with a
number of intelligent shop-keepers, ch-rks, ar-
tis-.ns, and other persons. (Jood John Hoi lis,
the landlord, movtid with cheerful look from
table to table, stop]»ing now and then to giv(!
a word or two of welcome to one or anotlu'r,
or to pause, in order to catcli more fully tlie
remarks made by some more fervent speaker
than usual. Many of those assembled were ■
tpiietly sipiiing the stout ale for which the Bed j
Lion was noted ; othtjrs were h)oking over the j
daily papers, or reading to those near liy ',
jiassages from some popular or favorite author ; j
while the majority seemed to bo earntsstly en- 1
gaged iu familiar discourse, iu which luucU I

to have had a most animating etVect upon
all present. Nearly every one appeared to
know th(i words and their jmrport, and, as
they followed the leading singers in swelling
the strain which now filled the place, Samuel
Styles was forcibly reminded of his younger
days, and he almo.st fancied himself again at
a Christian meeting iu his native land :

Seculaiust's Sono.

Wo'vn been wuitiiif; throiiu'li tlio iii;,-ht,
And tho (Inwn will hooii iippciir ;

And tin- monntainV misty lu'iLilit,

From lilt- clituds sliiill bnrst out l)rijj;ht;

And till! i'UkIc in liiH tlit;lit
lU'Uilia I'lidinnt atinii.-|ilioru;

And tlio tdilci'on liis way

Wiiill look npand i^ol' llio day.

O blonk timo when hope soomnd dead I

Aacx lost in donbt and },d'»>ni;
AiKlwIiolt' ccntuiii's of di'uad
By dark snporciition li'd,
Until rwison almost lied

From u throne into u toaib ;

'^W!!.m%'

108

EXETER HALL.

3 , "-l

[f 4

k k

-%►

Till the mind in frenzied flight
Darted deeper into nij;lit.

But the dawn on every side,
Tlie jjleani of plorioiis day.
Will be seen while shadows' hide ;
Then the priest in toweriiitr pride,
And the prophet who has lied.
Shall forever lose their sway,
And the desi)ot and the slave
Shall lie mouldering in one ijrave. ,

tlie latter, except the Jews ?' Writers who
have made their histom^ study ass»?rt that
the Jews, as a people, ^vHHa rude, barbarous,
cruel, blood-thirsty trib^Kand ApoUonius,
quoted by Josephus, said tfflft the Jews wciro
the most trifling of all the harburians, and
that they were the onljj people who had never
found out any thinpr uselul for life. The
fjreat Doctor Burnet, in his Archa'olotjiw Phi-
At the close of the sonjr, the chairman, a i ^f»cM*<^'^> ad^^its that they were of a gross and
venerable gentleman, introduced the speaker, j sluggish nature, of a dull and heavy disjwsi-
and wlicn the name of Martin Mannors was i tion, bereft of humanity, a vile company of
mentioned, the •demonstrations of wf.'Icome men. Even Josephus concedes that his conn-
were so gnat that it was some time before a trymeu were so illiterate as never to have
woril coulil be heard. As soon as an opportu- 1 written any thing or to have held intercourse
nity offered, Mr. IVIannors com nicnced: | with their learned neighbors. Indeed, no

•'Mr Chairman 4ind my friends: As this is ! people of antiquity were more ignorant, cred-
the ])eri()d when various religious societies, and nlous, intolerant, and wretched than the Jews,
those interested iiyihe circulation of the Bible, ^Vhile the ancient Chaldeans, Arabians, Egyp-
or what thoy caWthe ' word of (iod,' hold their tians, (irecians, and Bonums produced their
annual meetirfgs in Exeter Hall t^ collect men of science and eruditi(m, the Jews added
more moneylur pious i)urposes, it will be a ""thing to the glorious pyramid of human

pro[)er time "for us to aslv, what tlie Bible is,
and on what is its surprising claim to infalli-
bility founded. Sucli a claim, howt-ver, is not
peculiar to the Christian Biiile ; the Buddhists,
tlu! Mohammedans, the Mormons, and others
insist on that characteristic for their so-called
insjiired books, and are as jiositive in asserting
that they have the evidence of prophecy and

knowledge ; and yet wt; are to believe, even
in the nineteenth century, that a being said
to be ' all wise' and 'all' good' selected such
a race as his ' chosen people,' the people who
were soldi/ and fiprcidlh/ intrustetl with his
divine word ? AVhat a niockery !*

" It is a singular proof of the want of correct
information among believers in the Christian

miracles to as lull an extent in sui)port of their j l^ible that, with very few excei)tioiis, they are
warranty to a divine revelation as that so au- 1 "f the opinion, that that book always retained
tlioritatively demanded by Christians. In as
few words as the nature of the subject will per-
mit, we shall make some observations on the
Bible ; and it is to be hoped that those who
feel interested in ascertaining, ' What ie
truth '^' will make a fuller intjuiry, and be sat-
islied as to the correctness of oiir asst^rtions:
no amount of scrutiny can injure truth.

" It is a curious fact, that tlie Jews, who ore
said by Christians to have been the lirst ])rivi-

its present form ; wlu'reas, iu truth, there was
no proper canon or collection, even of the
books of the Old Ti-stamwU, until, about two
hundred years before the tinui given tor the
birth of Christ. Previous to that period, a
great number of ' holy books' were scattered
about, occasionally altered or amended, just
as ]>riests. or propliets, or rulers might deter-
mine. 'I'lio early history of the Bilde is
shrouded in almost imi)i'netrable darkness. As

leged with a message from the deity, and who ' ^^'e now have it, the Old Testament is com-
are or were once known as the 'chosen peo-! l"^sed of thirt^'-nine books, exclusive of a num-
ple of God,' only came into notice after the i ^^'■' ^^ others called ' Kpocri/phid' but which
timeof Alexander the Great ; and that the his- 1 *^™ still received by the Boman-Catholic
torical monuments preceding that period make ! Church as canonical; and tin; New Testament
not the slightest mention of any Jewish trans- 1 l"is twenty-seven books. Therefore, the total

action • and that the Jews were unknown to
the world as a nation until thev were sub-
jected by the Komaus. This has been fully
established by the celebrated Wyttenbacli.
Professor Cooper, of America, also writes, that
no authentic liistorian of ancient times, Jose-
phus excepted, has ever mentioned the Jews as
an independent nation or state, or as b<'ing in
possession of Palestine;, or any part of Great
Syria before or in the time of 'Alexander. As
a nation, they appear to have been entirely
unknown to Herodotus and all other Greek
Ikistoriaiis ! In view of these facts, another
Anu'riean writer* has said : ' But what con-
lidi'iice can be placed in the ancient writings
of a people so insignificant and obscure a« to
be, as it were, totally unknown to other na-
tions till at least a ci-idury after all the facts,
real or pretended, tlua-ein recorded were said
to have been written Y Who ever knew any
thing al)out King David, or King Solomoii

number of books composing the orthodox
or English Bible is sixty-si 5c ; and these
are accepted by the Beformed Church
of the i)resent day as inspired. Now,
although it is strongly asserted by the
clerical defenders of the genuineness of the
Bible, that the Lord has miraculously pre-
served the ' sacred writings,' yet, without
particularizing any of the forgeries, interpo-
lations, or corruptions discovered, we find that
there were several other inspired books, re-
ferred to in the Bible as authoritative, which
have been entirdy lost,Mv\. which are alluded
to by commentators as the ' lost books.' Wo
find passages in the Bible relating to about
twenty of these ; but, for the sake of brevity,
wo shall enumerate texts which only refer to
a few of them — such as ' The Book of tlie
Wars of the Lord; ' The Book of Jmhcf
' The Act,^ of Solomon; ' The Book of ihid,
the Seer; ' the Prophen/ of Ahijah; ' The Vi-

and tlio splendid temple built at Jerusalem bv ^^""-^ "f IMo; and ' The Book of Shemaiah, the

' i Prophet;

Kueelaud.

* R. Cooper, of England.

EXETER HALL.

109

''riters avIio
asB(?rt that
, barbarous,
Apollonius,
Jews wc^ro
avians, and
o had never

life. The
olojiw Phi-
a gross and
[ivy disposi-
;(nnpaiiy of
lit liis Conn-
er to have
intercourse
Indeed, no
lorant, cred-
n the Jews,
ians, Egyp-
[iiccd their
Jews added

of human
C'lieve, even

l)ein<>- said
lected such
people who
d with his

it of correct
le Christian
us, tlu!y are
lys retained
1, there was
■ven of the
, about two
ven for the
t period, a
scattered
ended, just
lioht deter-
10 Eilde is
irkness. As
cut is com-
of a nuin-
but which
an-Catholic
Testament
the total
orthodox
and these
I CI lurch
d. Now,
■d by the
ess of the
lously pre-
t, without
•s, interpo-
Ive fni<l that
books, ro-
tive, which
ire alluded
)ok8.' We
(T to about
of brevity,
ily refer to
](>ok of the
of Jashfr'
ok of Gad,
,; ' iltc Vi-
cmaiah, the

" I will
proof:

read extracts from the Bible as

" ' Wherefore, it Is Bald in the buok of the wars of the
Lord what he did in the Red Sea and in the brooks of
Aruon V Numbers 21 : 14.

•' ' Is not this written in the boolc of Jasher?' Josh.
10 : 13. ' Behold, it is written in the boolc of Jat^her 1 '
2 Samuel 1 : 18.

•' • And the rest of the acts of Solomon, are they not
written in the book of the acts of Solomou?' 1
Kiiifrs 11 : 41.

" "Now the acts of David the Kinp, first and last, be-
hold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer,
and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the
book of Gad the 6eer.' 1 Chrou. 29: 29.

" You will perceive that this verse alone re-
fers to more than ope of the lost books.

" ' Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last,
arc they not written in the book of Nathan the i>ro-
nliet, and in the prophecy of Ahijali theShilonite, and
lu the visions of Iduo the seer, u;;ainsttJeroboam, the
souof >;ebaiy" 2d. Ciiron 9: 29.

" This verse also mentions three of the lost
books ;

'• ' Now the actsof Kehoboam. first and last, arc they
not written ii thcbook of Shemainh the prophet, and
of Iddo the seer concerning yeuealogies y" 2 Climn.
12 : 15.

" Here two others of the lost books are
sjwken of; and I think we have sutttcient evi^
deuce that the Bible is deficient in one par-
ticular r(!spect : it does not contain all of the
so-culled 'inspired word.'*

" You will remember that wo stated that
there was no proper form or collection ot the
books of the Old Testament until about 300
years befon! Christ ; we will now state that
tluire was no regular satisfactory collection of
the books comijosinfr the New Testament until
the middle of the iiidli ce.itury, over 500 years
al't.;r tho death of the rei)uted founder of
Christianity ! Up to the period of the council
of Nice, A.D. 337, a great many Acts, (Josi)els,
Epistles, and Eeveiations were circulated, and
received among the faithful as of e<£ual author-
Ity.f

'" There Avere, of course, conflicting opinions
as to their credibility, and st'rious contentions
arose in cim.-eciueuce ; the book which on(i
priest rejected, another would accc])t ; to
sifttle the dispute in some way, a selection of

• Du Pin, Professor of Philosophy at Paris, and au-
thor of a Compute llMdvij of tlii' CaiKnuml WrUemo/
(lit Jiooks of (he Old and AV/c TiffotiicidK, says :

" St. lOiicharlus says, ' it is evident wliy we li;»vc not
tlu; rtinalnini? books wliieli tlie Holy Scriptures »])■
prove of, because Judea, havin^r been raviitjcd by tho
Cliakleans, and the ancient bil»liotlu'(iui' beiiiL; burnt,
tliwe nMuains only a snuill luiniber of tlie books wliicli
ut present nutke up the Holy SiTi|)tures, and wliich
were collected and reestablisiied by the care of E/ra.'

" Simon, in his VrUlcal HiMory of (he, Vtrdon q/" the
Xtiv 7'ci't((ment, quotes St. I'lirysos'toni thus:

"The .lews, havln;i: been at some time careless and
at others profane, surt'ered some of the sacred books
to be lost throui^'h their careiesauess, aud l.avo Wurut
and destroyed others."

+ Amonf» the ai)i)eryphal books of the New Testa-
ment were tho ({oupm of St. Peter. St. Tliouuis, St.
Mathias, St. BarthobmniW, St. I'hilip, .ludas Isearuit,
'i'liatUleus, and llaruabas. There were the Actx of St.
Teter, St. Paul, St. Andrew. St. John, St. I'hilip. and
St. Thomas, and the JiereJatloiis of St. Paul. St. Tho-
mas, St. Htei)hen, and the (ireat Apostle. The; ;• and
many others wereat one time considered as of " divine
authority," but now rejected— </io«(/A tiot yet et\iih by
all— an spurious.

the true from the false was made by the as-
sembled bishops at Nice ; and Papias, the
Christian father, informs us as to the manner
of ihat selection. Wo shall give his own
words : ' This was done,' said he, ' by plac-
ing all the books under a communion-table,
and, ui)on the prayers of the council, the in-
spired books jum])ed upon the table, while the
false ones remained under !' After a timg,
however, many mocked at this manner of se-
lection, and priestly wrangling continued as
fierce as ever.

" About tho year 363 A.P., another council,
called the council of Laodicea, was held, to
make a more perfect selection of the holy
books. This time, the manner of doing so
was by ri4e ; and it is said a list of the books
of the New Testament, nearly as we now
have them, was then chosen, but the book of
lievelutions was excluded. And St. Chry.sos-
tom, who died A.D. 407, informs us tluit in
his time the book of the Acts of the Ajtostles
was little known. After this, two other coun-
cils were held, one in the year 400, and the
other about the year G80. The council of 400
rejected somo books deemed canonicnl by the
council of 303 ; but the council of GbO restored
them. Thus, until a late ]>eriod, did contend-
ing priests leave the settlement of the ' divine
word' in doubt and confusion. A writer
says : ' Thus were the "sacred writings," tho
" word of God," ' tossed like a Imttledoor i'nmi
sect to sect, aud altered as the spirit of faction
might dictate.'

" As an evidence that ' ordained heads' at
th(>se councils did not always conduct tliem
selves in a ])roper spirit, we shall (juote the
words of the great Christian writer, Tindal, on
the subject: 'Indeed,' says he, 'the; cMniu-
sion aiul disorder were so great amongst tliera,
especially in their synods, that it sonx'times
ciuue to hloirn; as, for instance, Dii)sc(n-us,
bishop of Alexandria, c(;j/vY? and kicked Flavi-
anus, ]iatriarch of Constantinojtle, with that
fury that within three days after he, died!'
Aud, s])eaking of their doctrinal consistency,
1h! says, 'For though they were most obsti-
nate as to poircr, they were most flexil)!e nS to
faith ; and in their council, complimentfd the
I'iiiiperor with whatsoi^ver creeds they had a
mind to, aud never sc^rupled to recant what
they had before enacted, or rei^nact what they
had befoiv; recanted.'

" If these men werf inspired to seji>ct the
true from the false out of such a number of
l)ooks--and it would reipiire ' insi)iruii()n' for
the purpose — tho godly priests proved rather
Hexil.le.

"That no doubt may exist as to the iieriod
when tl\e New Testament was com] s»;ed, wo
shall give the statement of anotht-r distin-
guished Christian ; the learned Dr. Lardner
says : ' That even so late as the muUlle of the
sixth century, tho canon of the New Testa-
ment had not been settled by any authority
that was decisive^ and universally acknow-
ledged, but Cliristian people were at liberty
to judge for themselves concerning the genu-
ineness of writings proposed to them us apos
tolical, and to determine according to evi-
dence.' Vol. ;<, i)p. .')4-(il.

" The Uev.T. 11. Home, in his second edition

110

EXETER HALL.

♦ IT

of his Introdnetion to the Scriptures* says:
'• Tho accounts left us by ccclesiaslical writers
of autiquity, coucerninjj: the time when the
(io8i)el8 Avero written or i)ublishecl. arc so
vuuiw, call fused, and disconlnut tliat they
lead to no certain or solid determination.
The eUli'sl of the ancient fatliers collected
the liKl'OKTS of their own tinie!^, and set them
down as certain, tral/is, and those who fol-
lowed ailoi)ted their accounts A\ith implicit
reverence. Thus tradition, true ov false, passed
on from one writer to another without exam-
ination, until, at last, it became too lato to
exanune them to any jiurpose."

" It must not be inuiifined, however, that the
final selection of tlie books of the ^'ew Tes-
tament <ravo <<eneral satisfaction ; evidence is
to the contrary. Many learned Christian men
of recent times have expressed themselves
stronjj'ly in favor of several of the discarded
books, even <tH>in<j: so far as to consider them
as yeiiuine as any of the canonized vi'rsion ;
and to silence every cavil on this subject, we
sludl contiue ourselves to Christian autiu,!--
ity.

'"The learned Dr. 'Whiston, on i)ap;e 28 of
his Kvact lime, declares that ticcnti/scccn
of the discarded books are j^euuine ; he says,
' Can any one be so weak as to inui<iine Mark.
and Luke, and James, and Jude, who were
none of them nitji-e than companions of the
apostles, to be our sacred and unerrintr {jfuides,
while Barnabas, Tluuldeus, Clement, Timo-
thy, Ilernuvs, Ifjnatlus, and Tolycarp, who
were ct/'udli/ companions of the hame apes
ties, to be of no authoriiii at ail f

" In his Rationale of Reli;/i<>us Inqviri/,
the liev. J, Martineau says. ' if we could re-
cover tli(i gos])els of the Ibibrews and that
of the Ei>yptiau8, it would be ciillicult to yive
a reason why TiliOY should not fi vm a jiart of
the New Testament ; and an epistle aetiuiliy
exists, by Clement, the fellow-laborer of Paul,
which has as f^ood a claim to stand there as
the Episths to the Hebrews or the (Jospid of
Luke. If none but the works of the twelve
apostles were a(hnitte<l, the ride would be
clear and simj)le ; but what are Mark and
Luke, who are received, more tluiu Clement
and Barnabas, who are excluded V'

" Bishop Marsli (observes that, ' It is an un-
doubted fact that those Christians by whom
the now rejected }>ospcls were received, aiui
who are now called heretics, were in the right
m many points of criticism where the fathers
accused them of willful corruptior.'

" jArchbishop Wake, who actually translated
St. Barnabas, St. Clement, St, Ijiiiatius, St.
Poly carp, and St. llernuis, fathers of the first
century, recommends theiu to the world as
'inspired' and as 'containinff an authorita-
tive declaration of tiu; tJospel of Christ to us.'f

" And William Penn, the celebrated Quaker,
in an argument against the positive accei)t-
anceof the Bible as the rule of faith and prac-
tice, says, ' I demaiul of our adversaries, if
they are well assureil of those men who
first colhicted, embodied* and declared them
(the Scriptures) authentic, by a public canon

*V(il iv. p. 260.

t Sec Wuke' 8 Apostolic Fathera.

which we read was in the Council of Laodicea,
lield 3G0 years after Christ — I say, how do
they know that thcfe men riyhthi discermd
true from spui ioun/ Now, sure it is that sonie
of the Scriptures, taken in by one council were
rejected by anollier for apocryplud, and that
which was leit out by the former f(H' apocry-
phal was taken in by the latter for canonical.
Now, visible it i.s, that they contradict eacli
other, and as true tliat they have erred re-
specting the present belief.'*

" We could multiply such admis-^ions, but
every candid hearer will agree tiiat we have
pi'otluced sullicient to establish the fact thai
the oitliodox Bible was lajt completed, or re-
♦luced to its present form until between five
and six hundred yvura alter Christ. As it is, we
have now tico distinct Christian Bibles, the (>kl-
est or Catholic Scriptures, which include the
yjld Testament Apocrypha, and the Protestant,
or King James' version, which excludes them;
some,indeed, say tliat the Bilde of the Ureek
Church is still diil'erent. Now, a large major-
ity of Christians are Rcnnan Catholic, and thej ,
as a chuicli, denounce the Protestant 13ibie.
In iSlt), the Pojie declared it 'pregmuit with
errorM ;' and the Protestants, in return, though
not wholly rejecting the Catholic book, say it
is very imi)erlect.

" 'I'he lumi'St investigatcu" willfurthernune be
astonished to learn that the Jews themselves,
even their priests anil kings, were ignorant of
any 'divine law,' until a priest named llil-
kiah said that he ' fouiul the book of the law
in the house of the Jjord.' This wonderful
discovery is said to have taken place only 0'^8
years before Christ, centuries after tlie- deatli
ofMosi'S, its supposed writer ! The ."J Ith chap-
ter of 2d Chronicles relates the matter, ami
tells (if the surprise and dread caused by the
finding.

" The inijuirer will be still more astonished
to hear that that same ' divine book of the law'
was, a few years afte! its discovery by llilkiah,
completely lost (souie say burnt) during the
Babylonish captivity, and never aftencanl
recDUrcd; and that the Uld Testament book:-
whicli we now have were n.'-written by Ezaa,
or Esdras. Ilittel says, 'The ancient Jews
had a trailition that the Mosaic law had been
burned at tlu' time of the captivity, and that it
had been republished by E/.ra ; and tlie tradi-
tion was receiveil as trustworthy by Ireiueus,
Clement of Aiexaiulria, Clirysustom, and The-
odoret.' lu the Hebrew Apocrypha, Esdras
says :

" ' 'J'iiy law if Imrnert : tliereforc no man knowcth the
Ihiiii^s \\liii:li thou iia^l done, or the worlds lliataro to
i)t;;lii. IJiU it' 1 liaM' luuiid ^inicc l)cloi'e lliuu, i>eiid
down tlio Holy Spi'-jt into mo. and 1 !<liall write all that
liath liiun (liinu in llu^ woi-lcl s^ince llie l)ej,'inuinf,',
whirli weii^ wriltiMi in lliy law, that niun may liad thy
path.' 2 Ksdras 1 ' : -Jl.

'• • And it came to pass, that when forty days worcful-
fllU'U. that the hidicst spake, i-ayin^'. the liist that
thou hast written jiuhlish oiK'uly, tliul the Uadibli and
tuiwoithy may reail U ; l)ut Iveep the seventy last, that
thou mayest deUvei- them only to Hueli un bo wise
among the pooplu,' a Ksdnis 14 : 4"!,

" Alluding to this, the Christian fatlior Ire-
nfpus says, 'tiiat, they (the books of tho Old
Testament) were fahricated seventy years
after the Babylonish captivity by Esdras.'

♦ I'eun, vol, i, pp. 30i-4.

EXETER HALL.

Ill

1 of Ljiodicea,
say, how do
ithi tlisceniwl
it is that souni
D council were
lull, and that
:•!• for apccry-
for canonical,
ntruilict eacli
avc I'rred re-

[missions, hut
tliat \vc have
tliu fact that
iplftal, or re-
bctwfcn five
St. As it is.we
libk'S, the ((hi-
ll include the
he Protestant,
secludes them ;
of the Ureek
I larj^e inajor-
(ilic, andtlioj,
leslaut Dibie.
iregnant witli
I'turn, thout^li
ic book, say it

urtherniorebe
■s themselves,
'e ignorant ul
t named liil-
ok of tlie law
lis wciuderful
)hice only 0'^8
ter the death
'lie;jltlichiip-
J matter, auti
caused by the

)re astonished
lok of the law'
ry by ililkiah,
It) during the
( /• aftiricuj'd
litameiit book:?
itten by Ezra,
ancient Jewa
law had bet'U
ty, and that it
and the tradi-
y by Ireiueut*,
tom, and Tlie-
;ypha, Esdras

nan kiioweth the
loi'kti tluitui'c to
I'loru lliue, tiCiid
Kill write all that
the ljej,'iimiii>,'.
leu may liiid thy

rty (lays wore ful-
t;. the lii:-t that
L thu loolibh and
mveiUy last, that
inch uti bo wiao

ian father Ire-
ks of iho Old
seventy years
i Ijy Esdras.'

And Dr. Adam Clarke, without venturing so j tlui days of the Maccabees, liy Sirach. It is
far, says, 'All antifjuity is nearly unanimous i like a Talmud, compiled from many books.

In giving Ezra the h(nijr of collecting the
different writings of Closes and the proi)liets,
and reditriiif/ tliem into the form in which
they are now found in the Holy Bible.'

" Bagster admits that Ezra, 'per/taps as-
sisted by Neheniiah and the great synagogue,
corrected tin; errors which had crept into the sa-
ci'(!d writings through the negligence or mis-
tivko of transcribers,' and that ' li(} occasion-

i perhaps in Egy[)t, at the desire of King Ptole-
i my Euerg(!tes. So also have the Priwrrbs
I of Solomon been collected by otlu^rs. The
book of KMIii'V, I toss into the Elbe. I am
such an en. my to the book of Esther, that I
j wish it did not exist ; for it Jmlaizes too much,
and hath in it a gr(?at deal of heathenish
; nauglitiness. IsnUilt, hath borrowed his art and
j kn(twledg(> from the Psalter. The history of
ally addi'il, under the superintendence of the ] Jonah is so monstrous that it is absolutely in-
Ilojy Spirit, whatever ai)p(!ared necessary for | credibl(\ ThattheEi)istletothey/(i?>n'ywisn(Jt
tlio purpose of illustrating, coinideting. or con- ' by St. Paul, nor by any apostle at all is shown
necting th(.'m.' This appears to h:iv(! been a i by chapter 3 : 3. It was written by an ex-
very extensive licensee God, it is said, first in- ceedingly learned man, a disciple of tlu' apos-
spired men to write his law, and had after- ties. It should be no stumbling-block if there
ward to inspin? Ezra to correct the errors of i slioiild be found in it a mixture of wood,
transcribers, and yet a tin )usaiv dniitt(!d er- straw, hay. The Epistle oi James I account
rors still e.vist ! Ezra ' added ^ to tlie Scrip- the writing of no ap(jstle ; it is an epistle of
tures, in order to 'illustrate' what CJod actu- j straw. Tlio Epistle of Jiide is a copy of St.

ally meant ! Could more have been said as to
the ambiguity of human laws'/ To what de-
])lorabl('! shifts have our semi-inspireil priests
li»een reduced !

"The IJible, having attained its present
form, does not, however, give satisfact! >n.
While the Samaritan Jews, and ancient Sad-
ducees rejected all but the Pentateuch, those
same books, and many others now included as
canonical, had been discard(!d l)y some of the
primitive fathers, and by ])riestly heroes of

Peter's, and altogether has stories which have
no phi,ce in Scriptun;.

" ' In the revelations of St. John, mu(;h is
wanting to let me deem it scriptural. I can
discover no tra(,'es that it is establislied by the
Spirit.' * Such is the opinion of the great high-
priest of the reformation ot books now deemed
inspired.

" Of the book of Daniel, the learned Dr. Ar-
nold speaks, ' I have long tluuight that the
greater part of the book of Daniel is iiK^st cer-

tho reformation, as well as by many bishops, ! tainl}' a very late work of tlu! tinw of tlie

])riests, and learned commentators of these lat-
ter days.

"Belsham in his Ecidenre, page 117, d(i-
clares that, ' of the law of Moses, that which is
(jenuine bears but a small proportion to that
which is spurious.'

" The celt.'brated Bishop ^Tsher says that our
present Septuagint is a spurious copy I ' The
Septuagint translation continually adds to,
takes from, and changers the II; ' rew t(!Xt at
])leasure ; the original translation of it was
lust long ago, and wliat has ever since gone by
that name is a spurious ropi/, abounding in
omissions, additions, and alterations of the He-
brew text.'

" Origi^n, the first learned Chriatian of criti-
cal abilitj', doidtted tlie genuineness of the
Ei)is»le to the y/jj'^/v ?/'.s% tlie sec(»nd oi' Jantes,
second of Peter, second and third of JoJin and
Jude! but considered the bonk of Hernias as
insi)ired.

"Luther, the apostle of the reformation,
doubtiMl the truthfulness of the following
scriptural books, namely : Of the Old Testa-
ment, Chronielcs, Job, Eerlesiast.s, h'sthrr,
and Isaiah ; of the New, Ilehreics, Jauies, Ja,d.e,
and Revelation. We shall nuot(! Luther's
own words as evidence. He says : ' The
books of the Kings are more worthy of credit
than the books of the Chronicles / Job sjiake
not thertsfore as it stands written in his l)ook,
but hath had smdi cogitatiims. It is a slieer
allegory. It is probable that Solomon made
and wrote this book. This book, I<](cle.nastes,
oj^glit to have been more full ; there is too
ranch broken matter in it ; it has neither boots,
nor spurs, but rides only in socks, as I myself
when in the cloister. Solomon, therefore, hath
not written this book, which had been made in

.Maccabei^s ; and the pretended pro])]iecy of the
kings of Oreece and Persia, and of tln^ north
and south is mere history, like t!ie jjoetical
propli(H'ies in Virgil and elsewhere. In fact,
you can distinctly trace the date when it was
written, because the events up to that date
are given with historical minuteness, totally
unlike the character of real prophecy, and be-
yond that date all is imaginai'y.'

" What a pity it is that some of our mad
priests do not take the s;ime view ; our semi-
prophetic lecturers would not have so many
' rams' and ' he-goats' ski])ping through
their brains and scattering their Si'uses. Ne-
ander also took the same view of tin; book of
Daniel. Doctors Aitken and Eichhorn have re-
pudiat(Hl the books of Jonah and Daniel as
mere ' legends and ronianc(.'S.' Doctor Wins-
ton denounced the Canticles as ' forgeries;' and
many other of onr learned priests, who, while
accej)ting certain books as canonical, yet ad-
mit that they contain sjiurious ]iassages, inter-
polations, false translations, sutlicient to mis-
lead and bewihh^r the multitude.

" I would ask. how, then, is it possible for an
' unlearned' man, a ' simple, humble believ-
er,' to 'stand fast and continue in the faith,'
surrounded by such a babel of opinions?
The (nily way he can do so is by resolut(.'ly
.shutting his eyes and stopj)ing his ears, de-
t(,rmine(i neitluT to hear nor see any thing
lik(dy to produce a single doubt; he must be
guided entirely by he advice of interested
priests, Avho 'aftecti(;nat(dy' caution against
' unbelief,' and then threaten ' that he that

* Dionypius, Bishop of Aloxaiulria, Erasmus, Calvin,
and Zuiiigliud altio doubted the geuuiueueas of Kovcla-
tion.

112

EXETER HALL.

Hi II

if.

yf -v

::^

belit'vcth not shall bo damned ;' and tins
threat is, witli thousands, an extinguisher to
investigation ; it is the most convincing or-
thodox argument.

" Now, with respect to the books included in
the present canon of the Old Testament,
there is no satisfactory evidt'ueo to prove
when, or wliero, or l)y whom tliey were writ-
ten, or in what language. On tlio contrary,
there is ulnindant proof to show, tluit such of
those books as bear tlie name of certain au-
thors were never written by such persons.
The book of (Jenesis, and other books of the
Pentatcucli, are plainly the production of two
or more persons. (Jouesis coiuains two con-
flicting accounts of the creation. The story
of tlic deluge is twice told ; the relation as to
how Abraham passed off Sarah as his sister
is repeated witli discrepancies; and tlu; cir-
cumstance wliich also obligtid Isaac to call
his wife Rebecca his sister, in order to escape
from the lust of Abimelech — evidently the
same monarch who, by one of the accounts,
aad been years prtninusly smitten witli tlu)
beauty of Isaac's mother — are all related in
the same book, manifestly confused accounts
of the same legend.

'"There an; also two conflicting reasons
given tor the institution of the t?al)batli, and
/(ft> distinct codt-s of the ten couiman<liufnts.

" Several matters recorded in tlu; Pentateuch
are nearly exact fac-similes of the mysteries
of the Babyhmians. The creation in six
days is a perfect copy of the (liahans of Zoro-
aetcr; the particulars of each day's work are
also tlie same. The story of the seri)eiit ami
the fail was long famous among that i)eoi)le.
The mythological delug<; of Ogyges is just
the same as Noah's tiood, and the story of
Adam and Kvt! in paradise is a nu're copy of
Zoreasver's first pair. The Talmud expressly
declares that the Jcnvs l)orrowed the names
of the angels, and even tlieir mcmths from
the Biibylonians.*

" It is a great mistake to beli(>ve that the
Bible is the ohlest book ; at the very tinu^ we
are told that all the inhabitants of the world,
except Noah and his family, were drowned,
the Hindoos existed as a grrat nation, and
Egy])t and Chimi luid their h'anu'd men
— their i)l;ilosoiihers, their architects, their
astrononu'rs, and historians ; and their vast
cities, burdi;ued with an overllowing popula-
tion.

"So palpable, indeed, are these facts, that
eminent, Christian writers have declared their
disbelief in the authorship of such a person
as Mosefi. St. Jerome confesses that he
' dares not' affirm that Moses wrote the
Pentateucli, but, like the Talmudists, he as-
cribes it to Ezra, (Esdras.) Sir Isaac Newton
affirms, that it was neitl.er Moses nor Ezra
who wrote thte five books but Sanuud. Lord
Barrlngton asserts the sanui. The Rev. \V.
Fox, in his sermons, i)ublislied in 1819, re-
marks, 'That tlie early part of (Jenesis is a
compilation of anch-nt docunu'nts, and not the
writiin/ of MoscH has been the opinion of some
of the most al)le divines and sincere be-
lievers.' The distinguished Christian i)ro-

♦ See " Age of Reason," p. 13.

fessor Du Pin is positive that ' we are not cer-
tainly assured of the true authors of most of
the books of the Old Testanu'nt.' These are
<mly a few of the aflthorities who openly dis-
believe in the authorship of Moses. Alnuist
every book of the Biljle h's been in turn
doubted and defended ; and while Jewish
rites can be traced to a more ancient hea-
thenism, nearly every thing of Christianity
is of Egyjitian origin.

" It would,'" continued Mr. Mannors, "be a
difficult task to give, within the limits of a
single lecture, any lengthened n^view of the
other books of the Old Testament. We shall
merely say, that .several o'f them are mostly
occujued with trifling details of silly observ-
ances, by no means edifying. Kings and
Clironicles contradict each other in almost
every chapter ; while other books are but
such accounts of atrocity, debauchery, and
gross indecency as to make humanity shud-
d(!r and shock all delicacy and refinement.
Any other book but that called the ' Holy
Bible,' cnntaining such abominable records,
would be stamped forever as infamous. Yet,
wonder of wonders! though a great number
of the.we 'inspired texts,' are too impure to
be read or cpioted from pulpit or desk, or
even breathed to 'ears polite.' Christian
priests will still uidiold the imposition, and
jiositively tell us that every ironl was writ-
ten for oHr improvement I Who can truly
believe tliisV

"But then we are vaunt ingly pointed to scrip-
tural miracles and ])ro]>hecies as a glorious
ri'futation of the slanders of unbelief. In
lv)astiiig of such evidences, Christianity but
follows the practice .of far more ancient super-
stitions. IJcligious imposture in every rgo
fortified itself with magic and miracles to over-
come doubt and opposition ; and with pro[)h( -
cies which were as clearly and often mon; in-
telligiblv fulfillnd than anv that the Bible can
yet claim. Prophets have been a proliiic lace,
th(> raving and incoherent drc'amcrs ami (.-n
thu.'iiasts of ancient and modern times. Docs
not even the Bible admit that some ot its
prophetn were false and lying, ami drunken
men, who 'diviiu'd for money,' and wi're jeal-
ous, of each other's success ; who became as
often ' iusiiired' thnnighthe infiuenceof \vine,
or music, or dancing as they did by the iiis.iue
idea which governed their feei)le mini's V
^licah, ;id chajjter, speaks of proidiets who
' divined for nu)ney,' but modestly sjieaks of
himself as being ' full of power.' Jeremiah
in second chapter, I'lth of Lamentations, says,
'Thy i)ro])hets have seen vain and foolish
things. ' Isaiah, in chai)ters{)th and 2Sth, that
they 'teach lies' and are 'drunken.' These
passages do not particularly refer to foreign or
lieathen wandt^rers, but to the recognized 'for-
tune-tidlers' of the time. (Jeremiah 20 : 7.) As
a i)roph(?t, he complains, ' O Lord ! thou hast
deceived me, and 1 was deceived :' and in the
14th chapter of E/.ekiel, "^th verso, God himself
is made to say, And if the prophet be deceived
when he hath spoken a thing, ' / the Lord hnve
deceived that prophet.' Comment on such pro-
phets and on such a deity would occupy too
much of our time at present. While we have
but just shown that many of the leading Chris-

EXETER HALL.

113

are not cer-

of most of

Those are

openly (lis-

8. AlllKLSt

n ill turn
ile Jewish
icicnt hen-

hristiauity

lors, " be a
liuiits of a
.'iewof tile

We sliiill
are mostly
lly oliserv-
vings ami

in almost
8 are l)iit
hery, niid
mity bIuuI-
efinenient.
he ' Holy
le records,
lous. Y»'t,
at number
impure to
r desk, or

('liri>.tian
sition, and

was writ-
can truly

ed toscrip-
a glorious
l)erief. In
ianity but
lent sujx^r-
every i;go
<,'S to over-
ith projilK -
n moiT' in-
J Uililc can
'olilic lacr,
rs and en
ics. Docs
ruiui ol its
I druuki-n
were jfiil-
hecaiHc as
ccof \\mv,
tin' iiis.uie
e miuilsV
hets who
sjieaks of
Jeremiah
ions, says,
id fixiUsli
28th, that
1.' Tli.so
forei<rn or
nized 'for-
20:7.) As
thou hast
,nd in the
)d himself
e deceived
Lord have
I such pro-
iccupy too
wo liave
ing ChriB-

tian priests had no confidence ih the assorted
proi)hecie8 of Isaiah, Daniel, and Jonah, we
iind that others of them, such as Dr. Keith and
Bishop Newton, have wajled through a vast
mass of useless learning, to try and establish
the fultillmcnt of certain prophecit^ ; yet it is
now fairly proved that the greater number of
Biich predictions have failed. It has also been
placed beyond doubt that many of the so-
called prophecies w<^re written after the event
happened to which they related ; while others
have been singularly falsified.

" But what of the famous prophecy regard-
ing the coming of the Messiah? We reply that
no part of Scripture has been more unfairly
twisted to accommodate the desire of j)riests
than that which it is said relates to such an
event. We can'uow only notice the principal
prediction in Isaiah, which some tell us is
beyond all cavil:

" The kings of Israel and Sy ■a,having united
in a war against the king of ^ udah, the latter
was much alarmed, but the prophet Isaiah as-
sured him that they should not succ(!ed against
him. The Lord told the king to ' ask a sign,'
but the king declined, stating that he would
not ' tempt the Lord.' Isaiah then said :

'"Thpreforc the Lord himself sliall Rive you a
Bi;;n : Beliold, a virgin shall coiicelvo and bear a fon.
and shall call liis iiaino Iinmanuc! ; forbctbru the child
ishall know how to rellii-e the evil and choo>>(! the good,
the land that thou abhon-est shall be Ibrsakcu of both
her kings.' Isaiah 7 : 1 l-lti.

" This, then, was the sign promised to assure
the king of Judah of his ultimate success
over the two who had conspin.'d against him ;
and, in order to secure the fulfillment of this
'prophecy.' we are told in ♦he very next chap-
ter, 3d verse, that Isaiah himself got a ])ro-
phetess svith child, and that she afterward
Itaro a son. This is an abridgment of the ab-
surd story, and had no more reference to Jesus,
who is said to have appeared several hundred
years afterward, than it had to Ciesur or
Peter the (Jniat.

" The assurance of success which Isaiah
gave to tlie king of Jndah jiroved, however,
that Isaiah himself was one of the ' lying' pro-
phets ; for, in the 2d book of Ohronides, cluip-
ter 28, it is recorded that, instead of the two
hostile kings binng overwhelmed, Ahaz was
completely defeatwl ; the usual godly slaugh-
ter of one hundred and twenty tliousand of
his people having taken place in one day,
followed by the captivity of two hundred
thousand women, with theii sons and daugh-
ters: so much for the infallibility of Isaiah.

" Several enlightened Christians are inclined
to abandon this once favorite ])rophecy as un-
tenable. Michaelis, the learncvl Christian pro-
fessor, p. 212, says, ho ' can not bo persuaded
that tlio famous prophecy in Isaiah, chaiiter
T. verse 14, has the lea.'-t reference to the Mes-
siah.' The church has been sorely troubled
to get rid of the ditficulties arising from the
alleged prophecies relating to Christ. Whis-
ton, the successor of Sir Isaac Newton as
mathematical professor, published a book to
l)rovo that in early times the Jews had al-
tered the passages of tho Old Testament re-
ferred to as prophetic of Christ. If such were
fwlly the case, the Old Testament could not

be relied on in any particular. Winston's
theory was, however, much approved of, until
an actual comparison with the ancient Jewish
Scriptures proved them to be alike in their pnv
dictions. Dr. Arn(dd tried to avoid the pro-
phetic difficulty by saying, ' We find through-
out tho New Testament references made to
various passages in the Old Testament which
are alleged as prophetic of C'hrist, or of some
particulars of tho Christian dispensation.
Now, if we turn to the context of these passa-
ges, and so endeavor to discover their mean-
ing according to the only sound principles of
int. rpretaiion, it will often appear that they
do not relate to the Messiah or to (Chris-
tian times, but are either expressions of reli-
gious affections generally ; or else refer to some
particular circumstances in the life and condi-
tion of the writer or of the Jewish nation,
and do not at all show that any thing more
remote, or any events of a more universal and
spiritual character, were designed to be pro-
phesied. Every prophecy, as uttered by
man, (that is, by an intelligent and not a
mere mechanical instrumenc, ) and at the
same time as insjiired by God, must, as far as
appears, have a double sense— one, the sense
entertained by the human mind of the writtT ;
the other, the sense infused into it by God.
We may even suppose the prophet to be total-
ly ignorant of the divine meaning of his
words, and to intend to express a meaning of
his own, quite unlike God s meaning.' This
reasoning «)f the learned and pious Dr. Arnold
in favor of a 'double sense' to firophecy,
and to assume that prophets did not know tho
meaning of their own words, is very like tak-
ing leave of common sense altogether. The
doctor further says, ' Generally the language
of prophecy will be found to bo hyperbolical,
as far as regards its historical subjects, and
only corresponding with the truth exactly if
ice stihxtitute for tlie historical subject the idea
of tohirh it is the representatiee. It will be
found, I think, a general rule in all the pro-
phecies of Scripture, that they contain expres-
sions which will only be adequately fulfilled
in their last and spiritual fulfillment ; and that
as applied to the lower fulfillments, which
precede this, they are and must be hvper-
bolical.'

" Upon this, Greg remarks, ' It is difficult to
grnpple with a mode of interpretation such as
this; equally difficult to comprehend how an
earnest and practical understanding like Dr.
Arnold's could, for a moment, rest satisfied
with such a cloudy phantom. Our homely
conceptions can make nothing of an oracle
which says one thing but means something
very diti'erent and more noble ; which, in de-
nouncing icith minute details destruction
against Egypt, Babylon, ancj Tyre, merely
threatens final defeat to the powers of evil ;
which, in depicting, in precisest terms, the ma-
terial prosperity reserved for the Israelites,
only intended to promise blessings to the vir-
tuous and devout of every ago and clime ; and
which, in describing ancient historical per-
sonages, did so always with an arriere pense&
toward Christ. If Dr. Arnold means to say
th.it the Old Testament prophecies signified,
jvimarily, chiefiy, and most specifically the
ultimate triumph of good over evil — of God

.;^

■f""'.

i1 ti'lS

EXETER HALL.

• -%<».. f

' LIZ' '

-' w t '

' i

and virtue over the world, the flesh, and the
devil, (and this certainly appear* to be his
meaning) — we can only reply that, in that
case, they are poetry and not i)rediction. To
conceive, therefore, this to be the meaning of
the God who is alleged to have inspired them
18 to imagine that he used incompetent and de-
ceptive instruments for his communications ;
and it is certain that, had the prophecies been
perfectly and unquestionably fulfilled in their
obvious sense, the secondary and recondite sig-
nification would never have been heard of.'

" The double meaning which Christian
priests have advocated for Bible prophecies is
just Avhat they have so often condemned in the
pagan oracles— it was away of escape for the
sibyl or prophet. In endeavoring to make
the so-called prophecies applicable, some of
the gi-eatest minds have b(!Come puerile and
prostrated. Some have boldly asserted that
the prophecies are ' plain and explicit ;' but Sir
Isaac Newton, who was a believer, states that
* God gave these, (revelations,) and the prophe-
cies of the Old Testament not to satisfy men's
curiosity by enabling them to foreknow
things, but that, after they were fulfilled, they
might be interpreted by " the event." ' Hittel
says, 'Sir Isaac thus admits that the biblical
prophecies furnish no evidence of the truth of
the Scriptures or of the Messiahship of Jesus ;
for a prophecy which does not enable men to
foreknow things, but which is to be inter-
preted by " the event'' is a pitiful affair, in no
way superior to the predictions "of the hea-
then oracles.' "

" In his discourse, page 31, Bishop Sherlock
says, ' That many of the latter prophecies are
Btill da)'k and obneure, and so far from evi-
dently belonging to Clirist and Christ only
that it requires much learning and sagacity
to show, even now, the connection between
some prophecies and the events.'

" The Jews, who should best understand their
own book, have ever denied the application
of the prophecy to Jesus. They charge the
Christians, in order to accomplish their pur-
poses, with having ' changed in the original
nouns, verbs, tenses, and meanings.' In a
work called Israel Vindicated they say, ' These
prophecies have repeatedly been shown by our
rabbins to have. a differcLt meaning from that
given them by the Christians, which it is im-
possible for any one to mistake whose mind
is nf)t predisposed to shut out the light of
truth.'

" That the Jewish imputation against Chris-
tian piiests, of having ' changed in the origi-
nal nouns, verbs, tenses, and meanings,' was
not undeserved or unjust, we shall show from
the words of the great commentator, Doctor
Adam Clarke. Speaking of the quotations usu-
ally made from the Old Testament, he says,
that many of them ' are accommodated' to the
New Testament story, ' their own historical
meaning being difterent, may be innocently
credited ; but lot it always bo remembered
that these accommodati(m8 are made by the
same 8])irit by which the Psalms were origi-
nally given. Many passages of the Old Tes-
tament seem to be thus quoted (as predictions)
in the New. And often the words a little
altered and the meaning extended, to make
them suitable to existing circumstances.' If

this is not a palpable evidence of pious fraud,
we wonder where a plainer one can be found.
Words actually 'altered' and their meaning
' extended '! The doctor, ' innocently ' how-
ever, places the burden on the ' spirit ;' that is
the 8i)irit which first directed tlie propliet
to say, white should afterward influence the
transcriber or translator to say black f

We can not in the present aiscourse refer any
further to the prophecies ; another opportunity
may be oftl-red for that purpose. It has been said
that prophecy is ' prose run mad,' and it ie
plain tha^, its study has greatly distracted the
reasoning powers of some devout thinkers.
What erratic fulfilments have learned priests
extracted from the prophetic word! The
Pope, and Luther, and Napoleon have each in
turn been made to stand godfather to the wild
creations of Daniel ; and lesser lights, such
as John Hawkins, Esq., prove that Britain is
the kingdom which, according to Daniel, God
will set up! Captain Maitland illustrates
Daniel by Revelation! J. H. Frero proves
that Daniel, Esdras, and St. John found their
accomplishment in Bonaparte ! and the ex-
king of Sweden asserts that Bonaparte is the
beast of Kevelation ! Dr. Winston, professor
of mathematics at Cambridge, of whom we
have s])oken, believed that the bringing forth
of rabbits by one Mary Tofts, according to
the then popular delusion, was the accom-
plishment of a prophecy in Esdras ! and among
many others at the present day, we have a
Cumming, or a Bagster, who, in silly lectures
or in prosy pamphlets, opens the ' seven vials,'
or wrestle with ' the beast with seven heads,'
or with the ' red dragon,' or marches with
triumphant pace to the great battle of Arma-
geddon ; we all know that these tedious ex-
positions, so far, have been about as lucid as
that of a certain Irish legislator, who, while
in a supposed state of derangement, insisted
that Armageddon really meant Armagh, ' be-
cause in the apocalyptic version something
is incidentally said about ^HC linen.' It truly
seems that one is about as near the mark as
the other. We shall finish our i)re8cnt remarks
on prophecy by a brief quotation from that
greatly traduced, but noble and benevolent
man, 'Thomas Paine.

" ' According to the modern meaning of the
word prophet, and prophesying, it signifies
foretelling events to a great distance of
time ; and it became necessary to the in-
ventors of the Gospel to give it this lati-
tude of meaning, in order to apply or to
to stretch what tlicy call the prophecies of the
Old Testament to the times of the New ; but,
according to the Old Testament, the prophesy
ing of the seer, and afterward of the prophet,
so far as the meaning of the word seer was
incorporated into that of prophet, had refer-
ence only to things of the time then passing,
or very closely connected with it ; such as the
event of a battle they were going to engage
in, or of a journey, or of any enterprise they
were going to undertake, or of any circum
stance then pending, or of any difiiculty they
were then in ; all of which had immediate re-
ference to themselves, (as in the case already
mentioned of Ahaz and Isaiah, with respect to
the expression. Behold a virgin nhall conceive,
and bear a son,) and not to any distant future

EXETER HALL.

time. It was that kind of prophesyinjj that
corresponds to wliat wo call fortunc-tcflling ;
such a8 casting nativities, predicting riclu's,
fortunuto or unfortunate marriages, conjuring
for lost goods, etc. 1 and it is the fraud of tlie
CkriiUaa church, not that of the Jems; aad
the ignorance and the superstition of modern,
not that of ancient times, that elevated those
poetical, musical, conjuring, dreaming, stroll-
ing gentry into the rank thcv have since
had.'

" Those who have leisure will find jjriestly
speculations on prophecy a very amusing
study.

CHAPTER XXir.

" The New Testament is said to contain the
last written revelation from God to man. It
now includes but twenty-seven separate tracts,
called books. Formerly, as was stated, there
were a great many more, over fifty ditt'erent
gospels having been received at one period ;
but as it seems that various degrees of inspi-
ration were imparted to certain contending
councils, who undertook to make a selection,
the books comidered necessary for man's sal-
vation were, as we have shown, very prudent-
ly reduced to the present number.

" Among the principal books of the New
Testament are the four gospels, said to have
been written by the persons whose names they
bear ; but for tliis, there is no evidence what-
ever, neither can it be shown when, or where,
or at what time thev were written ; there is
not an original manuscript of any of them in
existence, nor can it be i)roved that any such
were seen during the first century ; * and
it is a remarkable fact that Christ himself, the
real hero of the New Testament, never wrote
a line of it ; all we have of his reputed acts or
sayings is mere hearsay. Tliese gosi>el3, how-
ever, profess to give a true history of the
birth, life, and death of the Christian Saviour ;
and so much has been said as to their entire
harmony, as synoptical records, that one is
amazed in discovering how widely tliey difler
where it is presumed they ought to be in per-
fect agreement.

" Matthew commences by giving the gene-
alogy of Christ from David up l,lirougli Jo-
sepli, the husband nf Mary, and makes twenty-
six generations ; Luke also gives a genealogy
from Christ through Joseph down to David,
the same i)rogenitor, but records forty-three
generations, through a ditt'erent line of ances-
try. Now, if Matthew was right, Luke must
have been wrong ; and as eciuul inspiration
has been claimed for both, if one is wrong,
both may be wrong.

" The annunciation is not mentioned in the
gospels ascribed to Mark and John, but is
differently related in Matthew and Luke. The
former says, that the angel appeared to Joseph,
the latter that it was to Mury !

" Matthew alone mentions any thing concern-
ing the destruction of the children by Herod ;
upon tliis important matter, the other Gospels
are singularly silent ; no historian of the day
makes the slightest allusion to such a circum-

* Tho oldest we ucw have arc of the fifth century.

stance ; neither does Josophus (and ho wouM
not have spared Herod) say a word about
such a cruel act. There is no proof that such
a slaughter by Herod ever took place, and the
story has been pronounced apocryphal. An
atrocity of this kind would have caused a
great sensation, and would have been noticed
bv historians. Sir William Jones, in his
Vhristian Theism, page 84, gives reason
for believing that tho whole story is probably
of Hindoo origin,* and Greg says, ' Luke 8
account entirely precludes the sojourn in
Egypt. Ho sayfj that eiyht days after tho
birth of Jesus he was circumcised, onA forty
days afterward he was presented in the tem-
ple, and that when these legal ceremonies
were accomplished, he went with his parents
to Nazareth.' There is a strange discrepancy
between Matthew and Luke as to where Joseph
and Mary originally lived. Luko says they
lived at Nazareth before the birth of Jesus,
Matthew declares they did not reside there un-
til after that event.

'• Matthew, in particular, has been noted for a
tendency to ' accommodate,' or find in Jesus
the fulfillment of supposed prophecies ; and to
'alter' and 'extend' words and meanings
for that purpose. To effect this, he has nar-
rated circumstances respecting which the
other evangelists remain silent. His repeated
expressions, ' That it might be fulfilled,' ' For
it is written,' and others of a similar kind,
were used to adduce passages which had no
possible reference or application to Jesus, but
merely to show the dogmatic purpose of the
writer ; and we have already shown that emi-
nent Christian men do L3t accept such appli-
cation.

" At the birth of ChrLst, Matthew tells us
(chapter 2) that wise men came from the East
to worship him, and were directed by a star ;
Luko states (chapter 2) that they were but
shepfierds from a field, led by an angel/

" Matthew (chapter 8, verse 5) informs us
that a centurion c&nie personally to Jesus, and
begged him to heal a servant ; Luke (chapter
7) says that the centurion did not go himself,
but sent ' elders of the Jews ' to request the
fcvor!

" Matthew's frequent amplification, or rather
multiplication, is quite apparent. In chapter
eight, he gives an account of the healing of
two furious demoniacs whoso unclean spirits
entered r. herd of swine ; but Mark and Luke

* Many centuries before the birth of Christ, the Hin-
doo scriptures contained tlic followinj; legend con-
nected with the incarnation of Chrlshuu, the favorite
god or " saviour " of India :

Chrishnu, a god-begotten child, was the son of Vish-
nu, the principal god of the Hindoo Trinity, by a wo-
man named Uevakl, the wife of Vasudova. Shortly
before the birth of Chrishnu, a mighty demon called
iianga, being apprised that a child would be born that
was forever to overthrow his power, summoned his
chief, Asuras, and ordered; "Let active search be
made for whatever young cidldren there may be upon
the earth, and let every boy of unusual vigor be slain
without remorse."

The sacred child, Chrishnu, was, however, saved by
Naucla, a cowherd, whose wife had a child of the same
age called Kama, or Bala Rama, and spoken of as the
brother of Chrishnu.

This very ancient legend was, it is said, derived by
the Hindoos Itom a tradition still more remote, and
is, no doubt, one of those upon which is most certainly
founded the myth of Uerod's slaughter uf the iuuo*
cents.

116

EXETER HALL.

W'v'V

^.nf

say thoro wan only one demoninr. TliiaVtory,
however, i» one of tlie moHt wretched Bcriptii-
ral nbRurditius, and lia8 ciiHt n litaven of duubt
into the mind of many a believer.

" In the twentieth ciiapter of Matthew, there
18 tlio rejKjtition of a miracle related in the
ninth cliapter, givinjf rii^ht to ttfio blind men
near Jericho; bui Mark (10th) and Luke (18th)
mention the cure of only one blind man, and
only on one occasion.

" Matthew and Mark pfive tico variable ac-
counts of the feedinijof the multitude; while
Luke and John tell of but one feeding'. Mat-
thew (chapter 14) says there were about Jive
thousand men, besides women and children,
and only 'live loaves and two fishes,' and that
after all had been fed, twelve basketfuls ro-
r<;muined. In the next chapter, he repeats the
mirach; — four thousand men, * besides women
and children,' were then fed ; there were 'seven
loaves and a few little fishes,' and seven bas-
ketsfiil remained. Neither Mark nor Luke
sjiy there were any ' women and children ;'
and many commentators believe that there
•was but one feeding of a multitude.

" According to Mattliew, Mark, and Luke,
Jesus, ' immediately ' after liis baptism in the
Jordan, ' was led (or driven) by the spirit into
the wilderness,' where he remained forty
days ' tempted of the devil.' This is truly
one of the most improbable stories in the New
Testament ; even John the evangelist must
have disbelieved it, for his gospel altogether
excludes such a conference. John, in his first
and second chapters, gives a positive contradic-
tion to the narrative, lie btales that on the
first day after the baptism, Jesus remained with
John, (the baptist ;) that he conversed on the
second day with Peter ; that he attended the
marriage of Cana on the third day ; after that,
he went to Capernaum, and afterward to the
passover at Jerusalem ; leaving it therefore
impossible for Jesus to Ixavebeen at all in the
wilderness, even for a single day !

" At the baptism of Christ, John ' bare record '
of him, and ' saw the spirit like a dove de-
scend upon him,' heard the recognition of his
rtonship in a voice from heaven, ' and, looking
upon Jesus as he walked, he (JoJin) saith,
Behold the lamb of God !' Yet, strange to
say, shortly afterward — Matthew, chapter 11,
Luke, chapter 7 — the very same John, when
in prison, ' sent disciples ' to Jesus to learn
whether he was the true Messiah ! ' Art thou
ho that should come, or look we for another V
Much priestly ingenuity has been used to
sliield John the Baptist from inferred oblivi-
ousress, but the record is too plain.

" We must overlook numerous other discre-
pancies—we shall not have time to examine
them on this occasion — and we will only refer
at present to those relating to the crucifixion,
and to subsequent events recorded by the
apostles.

" When Christ was brought to execution,
Matthew says, ' They gave him vinegar to
drink, mingled with gall ;' Mark says, ' Wine,
mingled with myrrh !'

" Matthew affirms that the two thieves who
were crucified with Christ reviled him at the
time ; Luke writes that but one ' malefactor '

I did BO, and was rebuked by the other for w
' doing I

'• The four evangelists differ as to the exact
words of the 8Ui)eiHcription on the crofse.

" The discrepancies resptrtinjf JuiUu are re-
markable. According to Matthew, (27th
chapter) Judas repented, retitnitd the thirty
ineces of silver, and then hung himself; and
that the priests took the money and bo^ight
the potter's field with it.

"Acts 1 : 18 implies that Judas did not re-
pent, that he did not return the money, tliat he
was not hung; but states that he •purchased
tt field with the reward of iniquity, and fall-
ing headlong, he burst asunder in' the midst,
and all his bowtsls gushed out !'

" Mattliew relates that extraordinary occur-
rences tcMjk place immediately after the death
of Christ. ' The vail of the temple was rent in
twain, the earth did qnake, the rdcka rent,
graves were opened, bodies of tlie snirts
wliich slept arose and came out of the gravt^s
after his resurrection, and went into the holy
city, and appeared unto many.' What a fear-
ful time, and what dreadful appearances t
All quite public! Yet Matthew alone makes
such a record. No other writer of the New
Testament makes any allusion to such an
earthquake or opening of graves.

" The account is very confused. Verse 53 of
the 27th chapter leads us to believe, that the
dead arose and appeared on the very day of
the crucifixion, but the next verse says, that
they came out of their graves ' after the re-
surrection.' These etatements are admitted
to be irreconcilable, (ireg says, ' There can,
wo think, remain little doubt in unprepossess-
ed minds that the whole legend was one of
those intended to magnify and honor Christ,
which were current in great numbeis at the
time when Matthew wrote, and which he,
with the usual want of discrimination and
somewhat omnivorous tendency which distin-
g-uished him as a compiler, admitted into his
gospel. '*

" When Christ was put into the sepulchre,
Matthew states that the Phariset^s applied to
Pilate for a guard to be placed over it, to pre-
vent the body being stolen ; and tliat a watch
was therefore set and the sepulchre sealed.
Yet none of the other gospels say any thing
of such an application, or of any watch or
guard, or of the sealing of the sepulchre, or
of the earthquake. According to their ac-
counts, there were none of these things.

"After the resurrection, Matthew says that
Jesus first 'appeared to Mary Mngdaleno and
the other Mary, on their way f/om the sepul-
chre, who ' held him by the feet, and worshiped
him.' He next mot the eleven disciples, by &i>-
pointmeut, vpoii a mountain in Galilee.

• Similar prodigies were eairt or supposed to ac-
company tlie duatl»8 of many great men ni former days,
[loiig befoic Ctiribt,] a» in the case of Ca-sar. (Virgil,
Georg. 1, 4t)3,e< seq.) Shaliespcaru has embalmed somo
traditions of the kind, exactly analogous to the pre-
sent case. Kee Julius CiEsar, act ii., scene 2. Agi'.in
he says, Hamlet, act i. scene 1 :

" In tlie most high and palmy state of Rome,
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell.
The graves stood tenantlcss, and the sheeted dead
Did squeak iuid gibber iu the Itomau streets."

Greg, p. 133.

EXETER HALL.

Iier for m

the exact

ildii are re-
I'w, (27th
thu thirty
iHC'lt'; and
ud biAight

lid not re-
'v, tliat he
|)iircha8ed
, und toll-
:ho niidtit,

nry occiir-
tht; doiitli
^•as rt'iit in
iclis rent,
lie snirtK
lie gravies
» tho holy
int a t't'ar-
oaranct'B f
ni; iimlies
tho Now
such an

'erse 53 of
, that the
;ry day of
sn}'s, that
er tho re-
admitted
here can,
nopossesB-
as one of
or Christ,
IUI8 at the
I'hich he,
[ition and
ch distin-
into hia

lepulchre,
ijiplied to
it, to pre-
,t a watch
re sealed,
my thing
watch or
ukhre, or
their ac-
iijrs.

says that
ileno and
the scpul-
•vorshipcd
les, by aj,)-
lue.

>9t'cl to ac-
ormerdays,
ir. (VirgU,
uiniud suine
to the pre-
e 2. Agi'in

tome,

iceted dead
streets."
eg, p. 138.

\Vf

"Acfrtrdtnj? to Mark. 'lie appeared firpt ot
Mary MiijrdnI«Mi<»';' next, 'in onotlnT form, to
two of thi!in ;' ' lafterward to the elrvcn as they
sat at meat !'

" By Luke, firwt, 'toward evoninj;' ns ho
sat at meat wijth ttFo at a villajii' 'oallcd
KntniauR, whirh was from JcruHaltm nhmii
three-score fiirlonga.' Next, he appeared
in the midst 'of tliiiii ' nt .lertipaleiu, wli< re
he ate ' broiled fish and honey-roial).' Alter
this, he led them out as far as Hetliany, and,
liavinpf blessed them, ' was parted fron'i them
and earric'd up into heaven.'

" Accordin/r to John, he f'.r.Ht appeared at the
sepulchre to Mary Majrdalene, wiiom Xwfurhid
to touch him ; atterward, on tlie evening of the
same day, at Jerusalem, in the midst of his dis-
eiplea, in a elosed apartment, the doors beinj;
shut ; eijjht days afterward, in the sami* place,
when Tlioinas was present, who ■lean permitted
to touch him; and a^rain, for the last time, to
his disciples, at the Sea of Tiberias.
"The starthnc descrepancies in these accounts
as to when, where, by whom, and how often
Jesus was seen after his death should, one
mi/rht think, entirely disqualify them from
beinjj received as evidence. Those who will
take the trouble to read the passajjes in full
from the Testament will discover the utmost
confusion as to time, place, and circumstance ;
wo shall just look at two or three of them.
One account says that Mary Majfdaleno and
the other 'Mury held Jestisin/ the feet; another,
that he would not permit himself to be touch-
ed by her, because he had ' not yet ascended
to his Father' I And yet another account
certifies, that ho allowed Thomas to touch and
examine his hands, feet, and side!

" One account states that Christ first met his
disciples, after the resurrection, upon a moun-
tain in Galilee ; other accounts state that he
met them at meat, in a closed room, at Jerizsa
lem ! One account leads to the certain infer-
ence that he took final leave of his disciples
at Bethany, and ascended to heaven the very
day of his resurrection ; another states that he
remained and ate and drank with his disciples
for several days after his resurrection : and
Acts 1 states that he ascended from Mount
Olivet 1 It would be impossible to compile
more jjlarinfj contradictions.

" Tho several accounts of the conversion of
Paul are at variance ; and. had we time, we
could furnish such a list of palpable discre-
pancies and contradictions, such clashing,
repugnant, incompatible, and inconsistent his-
tories, statements, and doctrines, all given as
'inspired truth,' that we venture to say no
other book yet printed can exceed the Bible
in this particular in the same number of
pages.

" Even after all the inspiration said to have
been given, and after all tho great care taken
to make the present selection of biblical books
perfect, yet many chapters, parts of chapters,
and verses have been declared spurious ! In
the New Testament, the first and second
chapters of Matthew ; the first and secoi^d of
liuke ; the last twelve verses of the sixteenth
chapter of Mark ; besides certain verses, here
and there, in gospels, acts, and epistles. In
this scientific, enlightened, and inquiring age,

' there can be no greater fraud than to continue
to asm^rt that such an incongruous mass a»
that contained in the Christian Bible is a ro-
fie<'tion of tho divine mind or a revelation
from a Supreme! Being to man.

"The doctrines of til"' Bible ari^not orif/inat.
Many nations of antiquity hud similar reli-
gious creeds and cereiuonit's, long before the
alleged time of Moses. Tlie wonderful re-
semblance between the religious doctrines
and ceremonies of the Jews and Egyjitians
have led belit.'vers in tho Bible with peculiar
nssumjition to assert that tho Egyjitians were
but ni'Tt* copyists from Mcses ; but at the
time when it is said that Abraham entered
^'Wl*t, the few score Jews that then existed
were rude, wandering sheph(;rds ; dw»'llers in
tents, ignorant and unskilled. Then, at that
very jieriod, Egypt was a proud, ancient king-
dimi, with a dense agricuitural population;
it had its learned and scientific men ; it had
houses, and palaces, and temples, and of many
of these the lich and significant ruins still re-
main. Those who have investigated the
antiquities of that country assert tliest; facte.
Kendrick, in his Ancient Kgypt, says, ' It is a
remarkable fact th.. the first glimpse we ob-
tain of the history and manners of the Egyp-
tians shows us a nation already far advanced
in all the arts of civilized life ; and the same
customs and inventions that prevailed in the
Augustan age of the people, after the acces-
sion of the eighteenth dynasty, are found in the
remote age of Osirtasen, the cotenqiorary of
Joseph, nor can there be any doubt that they
were in th'3 same civilized state when Abraham
visited the country,'

" We shall look at the similarity of a few of
the ceremonies. The Egyptians had an ark,
boat, or shrine carried in procession by the
priests ; the Mosaic ark was born by the Le-
vites. Gods of the ancients were said to travel,
und were provided with such an ark for con-
veyance ; the Jews had an ark of the cove-
nant, into which their god occasionolly en-
tered. Speaking of the ark of the covenant
as being but a model of the Egyptian shrine,
Kendrick says, ' The mixed figures of the
cherubim, which were placed at either end
and overshadowed it with their wings, has a
parallel in scmie of tho Egyptian representa-
ti<ms. in which kneeling figures spread their
wings «)ver the shrine.' Kitto, in his Biblical
Cyclopedia, furnishes indirect evidence as to
wliich was the more ancient religion ; in
order to illustrate" what cherubim were, he
gives engravings of Egyptian sjihinxcs !
Who will assert that Judaism is older than
such Egyptian sculptures?

" Hittel states that ' The religious ceremonies
of the Hebrews bore a remarkable resem-
blance to those of the Egyptians. The Jews
considered Jerusalem a holy city, and attribut-
ed great re'l;?ious merit to pilgrimages
thither. In tho valley of the Nile, there were
holy places also. Tho great temple of Arte-
mis, at Bubastis, was visited by 700,000 pil-
grims annually, if we can believe the report
of Herodotus, who visited Egypt while the
ancient superstition was still in full favor with
tho jieople.'

" Tho Egyptians offered sacrifices of vego-

-'''.4

118

EXETER HALL.

tables and animals to the gods, and so did the
Jews. Tlie Jewish and Egyptian priests slew
the sacrificial animals in the same manner,
by cutting the throat. The Egyptians pre-
ferred red oxen without spot for sacrifice, and
Moses directed the selection of a red heifer.
(Num. 19 : 3.) The custom of the scape-goat
(Lev. 16 : 21) was common to both nations. A
sacred fire was kept continually burning in
the temple of Vhebes as well as in India.
(Lev. : 13, 13.) Egyptian priests took oft'
their shoes in the temples, and Joshua took off"
his shoes in a holy place. (Josh. 5 : 15.) The
Egyptian priests danced before their altars,
and the same custom prevailed in Jerusalem.
(Ps. 149 : 3.) The practice of circumcision,
claimed by Moses as a divine ordinance com-
municated to Abraham, is proved by the
monuments of Egypt to have been fully esta-
blished there at a time long antecedent to the
alleged date of Abraham. Herodotus wrote
that in his time ' the Phoenicians and the
Syrians say they learned it (circumcision) from
the Egyptians.' The Egyptians had their
unclean meats, including pork, a» well as the
Jews. The Egyptians anointed their kings
and priests long before there were any kings
or priests in Israel. The Urim and Thum-
mim, (Ex. 39 : 8, 10 ; Lev. 8 : 8,) which play a
stupid part in the books of Moses and Joe
Smith, were once not inappropriate figures of
Ro, the god of light, and Themi, the goddess
of justice, (wlience the Greek 2'hemis,) worn
on the breasts of Egyptian judges.

" The Jews reverenced the name of Jehovah
precisely as the Egyptians did the sacred name
of Osiris. It is even known that Henxlotus,
after having been at Memphis, when writing
about tliat divinity, would not use his name.

" Certain writers in favor of the Jews have
had the temerity to assert that the idea of one
supreme God originated with them. The
Rev. Robert Taylor, in his Biegesis, says, ' The
notion of one Supreme Being was universal.
No calumny could be more egregious than
that which charges the pagan world with ever
having lost siglit of that notion, or ccmipro-
mised or surrendered its paramount impor-
tance in all the varieties and modifications of
pagan piety. Tliis predominant notion (odmits
Mosheim) showed itself, even' through the
darkness of the grossest idolatry.'*

" That the worship of Egyptian, Jew, and
Pagan was in many respects very absurd,
few are now inclined to doubt ; but the
Egyptian was more speculative and philo-
sophical. Much has been said concerning
their worsliip of the onion. The Rev. Robert
Taylor says, ' The respect he (the Egyptian)
paid to it referred to a high and mystical order
of astronomical speculations, and was purely
emblematical. The onion presented to the
eye of the Egyptian visionary the most curi-
ous type in nature of the 'disposition and
arrangement of the great solar systira,' This
learned author, in his Dicgem i)roveB, we
think to a certainty, that the Jews ' plagiarized

• All the Inferior dpltico in Fomor nrc represented as
then nddrcfuiiiff the siiiirenic .Iovk—
" O llrBt and fjrt'utcct (Joi) ! by {jods adored,
Wo owu thy power, our Father und our Lord."

Iliad.

the religious legends ' and ceremonies of other
nations, particularly from the Egyptians, and
that their ancient and mystical thwjjogy foims
the grand basis of the Jewish patch-work of
rites and ceremonies, so ol'ten mistaken foj-
the original creed, and so lauded as the 'di-
vine porch to the temple of the Now (Testa-
ment) by the clerical autocrats of Exeter Hall.*

" But what of Christianity ? Was not that
something original ? Was not the idoa of a
God-begotten child, of a celestial Saviour,
entirely new ? Surely, there was something
in this ' wonderful plan,' of which man had
no previous conception. Let us see. It was n
common idea in ancient times to fancy that
great men or great I'sroes were descended from
the gods. Jesus Christ had prototypes in
^sculapius, Hercules, Adonis, Apollo, Pro-
metheus, (who it is said was crucified,) Chrish-
nu, and many others. Of .^Esculapius, the
Rev. Robert Taylor says, {Diegem p. 149,)
' The worship of JEsculapius was first estab-
lished in Egypt, the fruitful parent of all
varieties of superstition. He is well known
as the god of the art of healing, and his
Egyptian or Phoenician origin leads us irre-
sistibly to associate his name and character
with that of the ancient Therapeuts, or society
of healers, established in the vicinity of
Alexandria, whose bacred writings Eusebius
has ventured to acknowledge were the first
types of our four gospels. The miracles of
healing and of raising the dead, recorded in
those Scriptures, are exactly such as these su-
perstitious quacks would be likely to ascribe
to the founder of their fraternity.

'"By the mother's side, .^Bsculapius was the
son of Caronis, who had received the embraces
of God, but for whom, unfortunately, the wor-
shipers of her son have forgotten to claim the
honor of perpetual virginity. To conceal
her pregnancy from her parents, she wjent to
Epidaurus, and was there delivered of a son,
whom she exposed upon the Mount of Myrtles;
when Aristhenes, the goat-herd, in search of a
goat and a dog missing from his fold, dis-
covered the child, whom he would have car-
ried to his home had he not, in approaching
to lift him up, perceived his head encircled
with fiery rays, which niE la him believe the
child to be divine. The voice of fame soon
publishfsd the birth of a miraculous infant ;
upon which the people flocked from all
quarters to behold this heaven-born child.

" ' The principal result, however, of this re-
semblance is the evidence it affords that the
terms or epithets of ' our Saviour ' — the
Saviour being God, were the usual designa-
tions of the gods iEsculapins; and that mira-
cles of healing and resurrection from the dead
were the evidence of his divinity for ages bo-
fore similar pretenses were advanced for Jesus
of Nazareth.'

" Middleton, in his Free Inquiry, says :
' Strabo informs us that the temples of .^hcu-
lapius were constantly filled with the Hick,
imploring the help of OoD; and that they

♦The religions ceremonies of the Ej^yntiana and
JewB were w) Hiniilnr, that the Koinun law, hi the tinio
of the eniperora, to prohibit the worship of Ids in
the cnp'tol, Mookc of the Jewloh wornhip us thoush it
were not diiitmuuishablu from that of the Kgyptiuua,—
UilUl.

EXETER HALL.

had tables * hanging around them in which
all the miraculous euros were described.
There is a remarkable fragment of one of these
tables still extant, and exhi))ited by Gruter
in his collection, as it was founrl in the ruins
of .SIsculapius' temple in the island of th(!
Tyber in Rome; which gives an account of
two blind men restored to siglit by .Jilscula-
pius in the open view and with the loud accla-
mations of the people, acknowledging the
manifest power of the god.' It was said that
.^sculapius not only cured t]>e sick, but raised
the dead ; and that Jupiter, having become
fearful or jealous of his power, slew him
with a thunderbolt.'!

" We shall pass over the others, to call your
attention to the remarkable coincidence there
is between the history of Christ and that of
Prometheus. The name corresponds with
that giv«i to the Christian deity, Providence.
Prometheus, it was asserted, was both god
and man. His character and attributes are
depicted in tlie beautiful tragedy of ^schylus,
Prometheus Bound, written over five hundred
years before the Christian era, the plot being
then taken from 'materials of an infinitely
remote antiquity.' Prometheus was, it is said,
crucified at Mount Caucasus, as an atonement
for others. At his crucifixion, there was great
darkness and a terrible storm ; rocks were rent,
graves were opened, and all left him except a
few faithful women ! The story will be found
more detailed in the Diegem of the Reverend
Robert Taylor ; or, had we the lost ' gospel to
the Egyptians,' it might shed some light up-
on that great forerunner of the Jewish Logos. |
In connection with this, we might mention
that tht) cross is of pagan origin. Taylor says,
{Diegesiii, p. 301,) ' It should never be forgot-
ten that the sif/n of the cross, for ages anterior
to the Augustan era, was in common use
among the Gi^ntiles. It was the most sacred
symbol of Egyptian idolatry. It is on most
of the Egyptian obelisks, and was believed to
possess all the devil-expelling virtues which
have since been ascribed to it by Christians.
The monogram, or symbol of the god
Saturn, was the sign of the cross, together
with a ram's horn. Jupiter also bore a cross
with a horn, Venus a cross with a circle. The
famous 6V«>c Ansntd is to be seen in all the
buildings of Egypt ; and the moat celebrated
temples of the idol of Chrishnu in India,
like our Gothic cathedrals, were built in the
form of crosses.'

♦ Tablets.

t Ovid, who %vrote bui'orc the time of Christ, gave
In his 3fetamorn>iofte.t, socond booii. thin jjrodlction
concerning the life and actions of iEBCulai)ius,the grout
phyaician :

" Once as the pncrcd infant she PurTcyed,
The god was l{indlc>d in tlie nvvinfj nvUd,
And Mills Khe uttered lier |)roi)lietic lalo :
Hail, uroat physician of tlio world ! all liail I
Hail, niisriity infant 1 who in years to come
Shall lietil the nations and defraud tlie tomb.
Swift lie tiiy Ki'owth, tliy triumplis unconllned,
Make l{ini;clonis tliiclter, and increase manlviud ;
Thy (larinjj; art shall animate the dead,
And draw tin; tliunder on thy Kuiity head ;
Tlien thou shalt die, but IVoin tlie (larit abode
Shalt rise victorious and he twice a Ljod."

Aifdifion.''H versijlcatlon.

X See Potter's trouslatlou of iBschylus.

" ' On a Phoenician medal found in the ruins
of Citium, and engraved in Dr. Clarke's Tra-
vels, and proved by him to be Phceniciar, are
inscribed not only the cross, but the rosary or
string of beads attached to it.' The cross
was also found in the ancient temple of Sera-
pis. A pious writer, Mr. Skeltoa, says, ' How
it came to pass that the Egyptians, Arabians,
and Indians, before Christ came among us,
paid a remarkable veneration to the sign of
the cross is to mo unknown ; but the fact it-
self is known.'

" Another very marked resemblance is to be
found between Sakya Muni, the Buddhist sav-
iour, and Christ. Hittel says, ' The life of
this saviour, Sakya Muni, bears much simi-
larity to that of Jesus. He was an incarnate
god, and was born of a married virgin of
royal blood. He spent six years in the wilder-
ness as a hermit, and, having been purified
by penance, he went to the populous districts
of Hindoostan. and to the sacred city of Be-
nares, where he preached the gospel of Bud-
dhism, wrought miracles, and made numerous
converts. Sakya did not commit his doctrine
to writing ; his disciples composed numerous
sacred books, containing records of his life
and teachings.'

" line, in his book Journey through tlie Chi-
nese Empire, chapter fifth, states, 'If we ad-
dressed a Mongol or Thibetan this question,
" Who is Buddha?" he instantly replied, " The
saviour of men." The marvelous birth of
Buddha, his life and instructions, contain a
great number of moral truths and dogmas
professed in Christianity.' And yet these
' moral truths ' were disseminated ages be-
fore Christ.

" Father Booris, a Catholic missionary to the
Buddhists of Cochin China, in the sixteenth
century, was astonished to discover rites and
ceremonies among that people similar to those
of his own church ; and upon this he wrote,
' There is not a dress, office, or ceremony in
the Church of Rome to which tlie devil has
not here provided some counterpart,' And
Murray, in his History of Discoveries in Asia,
alluding to Father Booris, says, ' Even when
he began inveighing against the idols, he was
told that these were the images of departed
great men, whom they worshiped exactly
on the same principle and in the same man-
ner as the Catholics did the images of the
apostles and martyrs.' In fact, while Chris-
tianity has bfou called a 'revamp of Bud-
dhism,' 'the Buddhism of the West,' Mil-
man and Reniusat speak of Buddhism as 'the
Christianity of the East.'

" Were wo not limited for time, we could
give you numerous other coincidences, and also •
prove that many sayings attributed to the
Christian Saviour were uiaxinis uttered cen-
turies before his birth. The most noted pla-
giarism of this kind is that of the golden
rule of Confucius, whoso '24th maxim runs
thus : ' Do to another what you would ho
should do unto you ; and do not unto another
what you would not should be done unto you.
Thou only needest this law alone ; it is the
foundation and jirinciplo of all the rest 1'

" We find that there are three iirincipal cha-
racters in the Christiuu Bible : the ' Almighty/

» t

120

EXETER HALL.

■>«<*■''

l»i. him ■*

or spirit of good ; ' Satan,' the spirit of evil ;
and the person known as the ' liodeemcr."
There is no account given us of the creation
of Satan or of the numeroup angels, good and
bad, which are said to exist. We are told
that tir.s desperately wicked being and his
adherents were once denizens o^ heaven itself,
and, consequently, must have been pure and
* holy.' Satan is now known as the wicked and
designing one, ' going about se(?king whom he
may devour.' The Divine Being is said to
have created all things, and to have j)ro-
nounced them ' very good.' How, then, came
he to create such a fiend as the 'devil,' and
permit him to have such perfect freedom . even
to thwart Heaven'sdesigns, and with sutHcient
influence to counteract the ' atonement ' and
successfully urge frail humanity down to
'eternal ruin'V

'" Bible worshipers tell us that that book is
plain and easily understood ; that it is the
pure, unadulterated ' word of God.' Yet, upon
examination, it is found false in its history
and science, gross and impure in its morality,
and full of absurdities, contradictions, and
anachronisms. Priests, with lengtliy and learn-
ed commentarifs, then endeavor t; explain.
When they find a palpable error, they say, ' It
must be a mistake ;' when a glaring discre-
pancy is discovered, then they find an ' interpo-
lation.' Show them a plain contrad'iction,
they will make it a ' false translation ;' point
them to grossly indecent jmssages, they are
' figurative.' Question them about absurdi-
ties of doctrines, they will call them 'myste-
ries.' Tell them of the violence and inhu-
manity of Ood's chosen rulers and people, and
they will find you a ready excuse. They will
find a plea for indecency, treachery, and ijlood ;
and were the Bible stamped on every page,
as it is in many chapters, with assertions con-
tradictory to science, reason, and common
sense, the plea will be, ' it is because they
arc above our finite co:nprehension !' Anil
the tmmerciful, revengeful deity of the Jews
— ' the assassin of humanity' — will be repre-
Bented as a God of compassion, 'full of pity
and loving-kindness, whose mercy enduretJi
forever !"

" To submit to the teachings of the Christian
Bibl(% you must belinve that there is a Supreme
Being, pure, just, loving, and merciful ; that
he is at the sanu3 time partial, wrathful, and
unforgiving. That he created all things and
pronounced them good, luid afterward repent-
ed having made them l)ecause they were evil.
That man was created pure, and holy, and in
the likeness of the deity ; and, that afterward,
without being periviitted to know good from
--evil, he ' fell,' and became sinful and wick(!d
jvt the yi}TY flmt temptation. That Adam and
his posterity were condemned and cursed for
the offense of his ignorance ; but tliat in the
;Cours(5 of time a deity came down from
.heaven, assumed human form, and died, ' the
just for the unjust,' to satisfy the 'justice'
■of a loving Creator. Tliat the deity who suf-
fered, called tlu! S(m, was just as old as his
father. Tliat there is but one God, and that
there are tfirce (Hods, That, notwithstanding
the powi!r of omnipotenci*, there is a d(!vil
liaving freedom to go about ' like a roaring

lion, seeking whom he may devour,' doing,
with a certain impunity, all the harm he can.
That God, desirous of revealing his will to
man, did so, through the agency of men whom
ho inspired for that purj)ose, nuxny of whom
were grossly wicked characters, 'j'hat a God
of pity, whose mercy «'nduri!th forever, in
anger drown<'d the worh'. in a great Hood, and
burnt Sodom and Gomorrah. That he cliose,
in preference to all others, a wretched and
barbarous race, the Jews, to wluuii he was
especially favorable ; that ht; assi.sted them to
conquer, rob, murder, and utterly dentroy
other nations ; and that yet ' there is no re-
spect of persons with God".' That God, some-
times alone » lul sometimes in company of
attendants, visited men, talked witli them,
and ate and drank in their ])resence ; and yet
that 'no man hath seen God at n/ii/ time.'
Tliat David, a robber and murdercM", was a
man 'after (Sod's own heart ;' that Solomon,
proud and licentious, was a 'wise' nan.
That God made the sun and moon stanc' still,
in order that a greater number of ' his enemies '
should be slaughtered. That Elijah, in a
chariot of fire, drawn by horses of fire, went
up alive to heaven ' in a whirlwind ;' and yet
that ' no man hath ascended to heaven but ho
that came down from heaven.' That a witch
raised and conversed with the dead Samuel.
That Nebuchadnezzar ' ate grass like an ox.'
That Balaam's ass spake. That a whale de-
voured Jonah, and that he was afterward catt
up alive and unharmed. Thai Lazarus, dead
and in a presumed statt^ of decay, was brought
to life. That a herd of swine became possessed
of devils. That tliere is a hell where a ' mer-
ciful' Creator will torture 'the condemned'
with ' fire and brimstone ' for(;ver, and that his
' redeemed saints' shall look upon such atro-
ciotis cruelty with satisfaction and approval.

" This, then, is the revelation about >vhich
interested priests and those they can ' convert '
keep up such an excitement ; they tell us, w'th
professional effrontery, that it is a ' free gos-
l)el, while we all know that Christianity is
the most costly of all religions, exorbitant
and unceasing in its demands. During the
last fifty years, the British and American
Bible Sochities boast that they have circulated
'80,000,000 of cojiies of the word of God
among the heathen' Who can truly prove
that in so doing they have served the cause
of humanity '? In Britain, we have four million
sermons annually to explain conflicting doc^
trini'S, and a crowd of jarring sects to retard
human j)rogress and i)eri)etiiate strife. It is
said that at the birth of Christ the temple of
Janus was closed ; there was then universal
])eiice ; but since that ])eri()d, the Gospel has
been ' a sword ' upon the earth and religion
a greater woe to mankind 1"

CHAPTER XXIII.

TitKRE was a great shadow moving toward
TIampstead Cottage — a shadow that Avas des-
tine<l to rest theri?, and lie bleak and cold
upon the hearts of some of its inmates for-

evci I

EXETER HALL.

121

The darlinp of the liousehold had a few days |
previously taken a severe cold, and inflammato-
ry symptoms had increased. The delicate boy
was very low ; and as he lay restless and fever-
ish in his sick chamber, his sister and Hannah
were indefati<jable in their gentle attentions.
The attack was rather sudclen ; and though
Mrs. Maunora felt quite alamied at first, she
" poured out lier soul in prayer," and recovered
her equanimity. She had now no fear ; she
would have no physician, but was willing to
leave results in the hand of God ; she was
assured Iks would not take her child from her.
Each day she would repeatedly look in upon
lier alllicted son, and would i)ray a short time
at his bedside, and then move about from
room to room humming pious tunes, and mut-
tering to herself encouraging texts and prom-
ises made to the faithful ; and after listening
to exi)rcasions of anxiety from Hannah, she
would reproach her for want of fs-ith, and even
hint that slie was falling from her high estate ;
and tben slie would go on humming again,
in a state of the most cheerful resignation.

Her disposition in this respect was unusual-
ly strange. Since the meeting at Exeter Hall,
she had attended revival or protracted meet-
ings at Mr. Baker's church, and for over a
month past her absent manner had been no-
ticed, and she would say, that, while " dwell-
ing upon tlie promises," her soul seemed to
leave its earthly tenement and wander to-
ward Calvary ; and that she was becoming
more and more indifferent to the things of
earth, almost weaned from every tie — hus-
band, children, home. This condition she
insisted was the best evidence of her entire
devotion to Christ. Formerly, the least mis-
hap to William touched her maternal feelings
to the quick ; and if it were of a serious nature,
she would become almost distracted ; but now,
whenMary wept in secret over the suilerings
of her brother, when even Hannah could scarce-
ly find consolation from John Bunyan, Mrs.
Mannors was perfectly calm and confident ;
her matured faith came to her rescue from de-
spondency in the hour of trial.

The stillness around the whole place was
very great. Outside, the sunbeams seemed,
as it were, to steal down timidly ui)on the ivy,
among the tremblinj; leaves, and upon the
cages at the door, inducing slumln^r instead
of awakening the sprightly melody of the little
prisoners. The flowers appeared to signal
sad tidings to each other, and then mournfully
bend down thdr pretty innocent heads; and
the K')ft, sad wind came along in whispers,
as if cautioning you not to speak above a
breath. Flounce missed his companion, and
even wlicn resting ui)on the smooth garden
walk, his silken head between his fore-puws,
would look up wiiiningly toward tiie curtained
window where William firnt gre(!ted him eacli
morning ; ami people as they passed, heard
neitlier laugh nor song, and wondered at the
unusual (juietness. Within the house, there
was almost a perfect husli ; the ticking of the
clock alone could be heard in the lower rooms ;
while the (piick, heavy breathing of the ])a-
tient, and tlu* sigh of his loving, sympathising
Bister were distinctly audible in the upper
apartments; oud no sound was allowed to

disturb any momentary slumber that mighl
weigh down the weary lids of the poor sufferer.
Mr. Mannors felt the affliction very keenly ;
the doctor had but just left without having
giv(;n any great encouragement, and the own-
er of Hampstead Cottage now sat alone in
his quiet study, thinking painfully of ihe
broo(ling trouble that seemed to approach like
the first great cloud over the sunshine of his
life, the first entry of sadness into his pleas-
ant lumie. Tliough very anxious, ho was,
however, still hopeful, and trusted that, with
proper treatment and attention. William
might be atiain restored. But this was not
his only care ; he was a keen observer, and
had noticed the gradual indifference shown
by Mrs. Mannors, not only toward himself,
but to every one in the house ; she did not
seem to realize the danger of her child. Even
Hannah felt that her mistress was getting, as
she said, " like another person," seldom
speaking to her about household matterb, and
still more seldom on religious subjects ; all
was most unaccountable. She saw her mis-
tress go about alone, and heard her pray
alone ; often saw her sit an hour or longer at
a time in the garden or summer-house, ajv
j)arcutly thinking, or brooding upon some
dark, mysterious subject, yet seemed to take
no more pleasure in communicating her
thoughts to her ; this to poor Hannah was a
sore deprivation, the reason of which she
could not fathom. Notwithstanding all this,
Mrs. i»5tinnors was more devoted than ever to
her religious duties. Night after night she
would attend " meeting," and would keep by
herself upon her return ; she seemed indeed
to forget that she had ever communed with
Hannah about future blessedness.

This conduct astonished Mr. Mannors very
much, and now, as he sat thinking, he expe-
rienced an unusual depression of spirits ; vis-
itors could not be received. Mr. Capel had
been away for several days, and might not re-
turn very soon, as he knew nothing of Wil-
liam's illness ; there was no friend near
to sympathize ; the house seemed desolate,
and as lie turned his eyes toward the garden,
every thing was as gloomy as his own
thoughts. Never before had he felt so dejected ;
but, after pacing the room for a few minutes,
lu! again sat down, determined to meet every
trouble like a bravo man — neither to cower in
adversity, nor despond in misfortune. " These
trials," said he, "are incident to human life;
no matter how severe, I shall try and meet
them iu a becoming manner, and act my part
to the best of my ability."

It was gi.'tting toward evening, all was yet
still, and Mr. Mannors, having taken but little
rest for several nights past, dozed in his
study ; ho sat in his cushioned chair, with his
arm under his head, resting upon his desk, and
his short slumber brought consolation as well
as refreshment — it gave him a pleasant dream,
a dream of William's restoration ; and in that
mirage of the desert, sleep, he saw William and
Mary sit again among the sun-iit hills, and
watelied the clear stream sparkling and run-
ning at their fe(>t. He was suddenly awak-
ened by a slight noise in the adjoining room ;
ho looked up, and Mrs. Mannors stood before

«■■ ■ 'i

! ,
.1

122

EXJJITER HALL.

'■ M ^il> M *.*t

■ hi

■■^:

k\*''

him. There was a ■wildness in the expression
of her face, and she held out a Bible at arm's
length, and her other hand was raised in
a threatening^ manner. He was a little
startled, and, without replying to his inquiry
about William, his wife, in slow and solemn
voice read from the book of Job, " How oft is
the candle of the wicked put out ! and how oft
Cometh their destruction upon them! God
distributeth sorrows in his anger. They are
as stubble before the wind, and as chaff tliat
the storm carrieth away. God layeth up his
iniquity for his children ; he rewardeth him,
and he shall know it. His eyes shall see de-
struction, and he shall drink of the wrath of
the Almighty."

" Enjma, Emma," said Mr. Manners quickly
rising, " what does this mean 't"

But she heeded not ; as he approached her,
she stepped back, and again read, " This is
the portion of a wicked man with God, and
the heritage of oppressors which they shall
receive of the Almighty. If his children be
multiplied, it is for the sword, and his off-
spring shall not be satisfied Mith bread.
Those that remain of him shall be buried in
death, and his widows shall not weep."

" Emma ! why do you read this ? Do sit
down," said he tenderly, and he tried to lay his
hand upon her upraised arm. Again she re-
treated ; a frown settled upon her troubled
face, and. looking sternly at him, repeated thi s
verse from the fourth chapter of Hosea,
"Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of
thy God, I will also forget thy cliildren."
So sajiug, she flung the Bible with great
torce at his feet, and turned to leave the
room. He seized her arm, and begged of
her to be seated, to be calm, and talk to
him in her accustomed manner, " Talk to
you," said she, turning upon him with a
scowl ; " talk to you ! Have I not spoken to
you, and entreated you for years without
avail ? Talk to you ! My God ! Have you not
rejected the promises and threatenings of the
Gospel, and despised God's sanctuary and his
ministers? Have you not lived without God
and without hope in the world ? and," said she,
lowering her voice, " you will die in despair ;
and your blood — yes, your blood — be upon
your head, be upon your own head."

She again tried to get free, but the strong
arm of her husband held her in the chair.
" Let mo speak to you, Emma," said Mr. Man-
nors, getting alarmed. " Let me speak to you.
What is the matter ? why do you speak to me
in this way V"

" Unbeliever, be gone ! We have been un-
equally yoked ! Oh ! how I have sinned by re-
maining here so long ! What if God has with-
drawn his Spirit, has withdrawn his Spirit eter-
nally, eternally ? 1 must flee from this city of
destruction — I must, I must I"

Hannah, hearing the unusual exclama-
tions, just then rushed into the room, and
Baw hor mistress in an excited state, strug-
gling to get away. The poor girl was
dreadfully alarmed, and tried to soothe lu^r
the best way she could. It was of no
use ; Mrs. Manners only reproached her
again, and told her that she was in league
with the evil one and giving encouragement

to an unfaithful man. " Yes," cried she, now
standing out on the floor and stamping with
her foot, "Unfaithful,.unfaithful to me and to
the God who made him ! I will abide among
ye no longer."

Mr. Manners, pale and calm, looked with
pity upon the woman for whom he would
readily have laid down his life ; he seemed to
realize at once the dreadful woe that had
fallen upon her — a woe almost as dreadful to
him, who understood its nature. Fearing that
any alarm might, at this critical time, have a
fatal effect upon his child, he whispered to
Hannah, who now almost bewildered, stood
weeping, and trembling, and pleading before
her mistress, and left the room to enter the
sick chamber.

Just as he was about to step upon the stairs,
a pale-faced young man, with an extravagant
shirt collar, a person whom he had seen some-
where before, and who might have been
standing or waiting at the door some time un-
heard, handed him a letter ; it was from his
Solicitors, Vizard & Coke, Gray's Inn ; and as
Mr. Manners hurrijd up to the sick-room, the
young man lingered a moment or two, and
with sinister expression leered into the par-
lor where Hannah and Mrs. Manners were
yet standing, and then, when he was walking
away, he muttered, " Unfaithful ! unfaithful !
What! such a paragon as Martin Manners
lacking virtue!"

About seven o'clock that evening, many
persons were seen moving toward Mr. Baker's
church, at Hampstcad ; a great revival was in
progress, and for several successive nights a
motley crowd of saints and sinners had been
collected, and it was said, as it always is said,
that a great deal of good had been done ; "the
Lord was making bare his arm," that sinners
were " struck down on the right hand and
upon the left," and that " many precious
souls" were now able to sing and rejoice, hav-
ing obtained " the blessing," and been fully
restored to divine favor. In about an hour's
time, the church was crowded ; those who
were " under conviction," mostly women, oc-
cupied seats and pews nearest the pulpit ;
Avhiie it was manifest that those who selected
the back seats, or loitered around the door-
ways, belonged to the " unregeneratv ," of
whom there were still a suflicient number to
(!xcite the sympathy and start the si>intual
activity of the most skilled and energetic gos-
pel workmen. Two preachers occujiied the
pulpit, and two others, supernumeraries, sat
within the railing which enclosed it and the
communion-table, ready at the projier time to
perform their parts toward the sj^iritual re-
novation of such sinners as might be brought
within their reach. Indeed, it was ])lain to
be S(^en that they need not remain i'l^a for
want of material ; for, by the 1 'oks, and ges-
tures, and whispers of a large numlxjr of the
congregation, there were many who ap]ieared
to attend but for mere pastime, or more pro-
bably to enjoy a scene peculiar to revivals.

The Kev. James BakcT now stood up in the
pulpit, and, having looked around with a kind
of cleri(!al scrutiny at tlie coiign'uution, said,
" Let us liegin the worship (tf God by twinging
to his praise the hymu to bo found on page

EXETER HALL.

123

d Blie, now
ipiiijT with
ni<! and to
ide among

oked with
lio would
seemed to
that had
Ireadful to
Tirinjf that
rno, have a
lispered to
■red, stood
ing before
) enter the

1 the stairs,
:travajiant
seen some-
liave been
le time un-
3 from Ilia
in ; and as
-room, the
r two, and
to the par-
inors were
IS walking
m faithful !
L Mannors

inp:, many

[r. l?ak(!r'8

ival was in

e nip^hts a

i had been

lys is paid,

lone ; "the

at sinners

hand and

precious

'joice, hav-

een fully

an hour's

lose who

lomen, oc-

10 pulpit ;

n selected
the door-
Tat. ," of

lumber to

spiritual
jretic go9-
ujned the
rariofl, sat
t and the
er time to
i ritual re-
5 broufjht
I jilnin to

11 ?<l'o for
and pes-

)er of the
apjiearcd
lions pro-
A-ivals.
up in the
it'i akind
lion, said,
y Kinjring
on page

37, common metre ;" and then, with slow and
doleful voice, read out one of Wesley's hymns
of six verses, commencing,

" Terriolc ♦honght i shall I alone,
Who may hu saved, shall I,
Of a'!, alas ! whom I have known,
Through sin, forever die ?

'• While all my old companions dear,
With whom I once did live,
Joyftil at (lod's right hand appea'*,
A blesBing to receive,

" Shall I amid a ghastly band,
Dragged to the judgment-seat
Far on the left with horror stand.
My fearful doom to meet ?"

During the time occupied in reading the
hymn, several other persons entercsd the
church, and every seat was crowded. Having
finished, he read again, and gave out the first
two lines of the first verse ; the choir, wlio
were in the gallery, commenced to sing the
hymn to the tune of " Mear ;" an organ led,
and as the player fancied that the occasion re-
quired its most thundering tones, so ho per-
formed, and the air rushed through the sten-
torian pipes nearly loud enough to drown all
the principal voices ; it would be next to im-
possible to combine the dipt words or muti-
lated lines in any intelligible form. During
this particular part of "divine service," most
of the congregation turned from the preacher
in the pulpit, and almost one and all gazed
up at the harmonious assemblage in the gal-
lery. A person might think that the dreary
music was to them the most important and
attractive part of religious duty, and that they
came specially to hear a pious song instead of
a long sermon ; several, however, who stood in
front, nearest the railing, "raised their voices
in praise" and joined in the singing with par-
ticular fervor. -

At the conclusion of the hymn, the preacher
began his prayer in a low and tremulous voice
at first ; then with more spirit ; then the
words camo faster and louder; yet louder
still; then loud, long, and vociferous — his
hands being extended in front, and sometimes
waving over his head — while every word
seemed to fall like a shaft from a thunder-
cloud among the trembling sinners of the
congregation. The preacher strained his voice
to the very utmost, until at last ho became
hoarse, croaky, and incohenmt ; ho rather
gasped than shouted, and when ho could scarce-
ly articulate any longer, he suddenly descend-
ed from the fortismmo, and jianting from the
terrible eflRjrts he had made, closed the prayer
in his natural voice.

The ajipeal itself was as exciting as the man-
ner of him who was interceding ; he depicted
the state of the lost sinner; the wrath of (iod
and the terrors of the damned ; and at irregu-
lar intervals, during 'the continuance of his
invocation, cries and groans could bo hoard
from those around him. Some would clap
their hands in ecstasy ; some raise them in
despair Some w<<uld cry out suddenly, " Bless
the Lord, bless the Lord !" " Lord, save, or I
perish !" " Son of David, have mercy upon me !"
••I am lost, forever lost!" "Odlodl" "OLord!"
till at one time it seemed as if each one of the
whole congregation was shouting in a different

key, in a different tongue, to a different God —
a bedlam lei loose — plunging the timid in
apprehension, and forcing alann upon the
weak-minded, while many nervous persona
were affected by the most painful emotions.
Another hymn was then sung in a minor
strain, and at its close it was evident that the
feelings of most present were in a sufficiently
plastic state, ready to receive any inpression.

Mr. Baker's pulpit-companion then stood
before the people ; he was an older man, mild-
looking, and less robust ; his lank, gray
hair hung down behind, covering his coat-
collar, and in front it was pact'.-d in the
centre. He waited with lugubrious aspect
until all were settled in their seats ; until
every rustle and cough had subsided ; then,
drawing a long sigh, he gave out as liis text,
the three last verses of the third chapter of
Lamentations, " Render unto them a recom-
pense, O Lord ! according to the work of their
hands. Give them sorrow of heart, tiiy curse
unto them. Persecute and destroy them in
anger from under the heavens of the Lord."

The sermon which followed — though not a
fair illustration of the text — was a terrible
picture of the woe which would surely result
from " wickedness and unbelief ;" these
words ho repeated several times, as being
synonymous. .The wicked man might grow
up and prosper for a while, and might con-
sider the wretched enjoyments of this world
as only worth living for ; who could see no
sin in their delusive attractions, or, if ho
did, would put off repentance ; who was wil-
ling to procrastinate, in order to dally a little
longer with the vanities of life. Such a one
might perhaps find himself suddenly cut off,
cursed by God, and bewailing his misery in
the lowest depths, in company with scoffers
and unbelievers. It was " a terrible thing to
fall into the hands of the living God." To
secure heaven, every idol should be struck
down. No sacrifice should bo considered too
great to insure eternal happiness. The
treasures of the heart, friends, himie, children,
were unworthy to be permitted to stand in the
way, and, if necessary, these — even these —
should be forgotten for the " Friend of sin-
ners. "

During the discourse, the preacher at times
became most excited ; his voice was loud, and
his gesticulation often wild and rapid, stamp-
ing, thumping the desk, or clapping his hands.
Ho used a battery of threatening texts, and
a profusion of sounding words, to depict (Uid's
anger ; and after ho had drawn a lively
picture of ctct'nal torments, he lowered liia
voice, and cautioned, beseeched, entreated,
yea, commanded, his terror-stricKen hearers
to " flee from the wrath to come," to accept
" God's plan of salvation" ere it bo forever too
lato. Alas! they might now hear the voice
of pleading — the voice of God's minister for
the last time ; and it might bo that ere the
rise of another sun, some now present
might stand terror-stricken at the bar of an
ott'endod God. But, ho said, there was still
hope, another opportunity yet offered ; they
were as yet, thank God, out of hell — here ho
raised his voice again, and thumjied tho
pulpit ; and lowering it to a hush, said, " Tho

f*-.jit

124

EXETER HALL.

:'\ ?

■-•••*«■:

Mediator is still pleading ; now, yes, n&w, is the
accepted time, and by jjrcsenting yourselves
this night before the mercy-scat, God, even
our (tod, may be yet gracious."

When the discourse was ended, there was a
feeling of relief ; some began to breathe more
freely, but many others were deplorably east
down. The preachers left the pulpit and
joined their brethren below. An invitation Avas
then given to all those who felt a desire " to
flee from the wrath to come " to approach, and
openly present themselves before the Lord, in
order that the people of Ood might unite with
them in prayer for their deliverance.

" Come, friends, come !" said one of the
preachers, rubbing his hands in a business-like
way, " come to the Lord ; he is waiting to be
gracious — yes, poor sinner, he is waiting for
you ! We shall now sing a few verses, and,
as we do so, let every one who thirsts draw
nigh."

When he was speaking, a great many did
go forward and kneel at the railing ; four out
of every six of the " penitents " were women, a
majority of whom were young ; there were
also several ^ung men. Others remained in
their pews, as if to await a more direct and
pres.sing invitation from the ])rcacliere, who
were sure to move about among the congre-
gation, and urge repentance upon such, as
might be found to be most easily entreated.

The old Wesleyan hymn,

"Come, yc sinners, poor nnJnpody,
Weak und wounded, sick and sore,"

was now sung out briskly by preachers,
penitents, and by all around the " anxious-
eeats ;" the choir in the gallery took no part.
After a couple of verses were finished, prayer
again followed ; one, very loud and siiecial, was
offered up in behalf of those " under convic-
tion :" sighs, and groans, and mutterings
could be heard in every direction ; and from
those who came to mock, an occasional titter
would follow the uncouth or extravagant mani-
festation of feeling by some more impressible
penitent than ordinary. Presently, every one
who c nild pray began ; the grave, the lively,
the fearful, the terrified, the hopeful and the ex-
ulting, all were heard addressing the "throne
of grace " together, in the most irregular and
disorder!} manner ; and high abov« all, in al-
to, resounded the prayer of one local preacher,
wliose powerful voice and still more powerful
lungs were equal to such an emergency.

Near one poor sinner, who waa shouting
wildly for mercy, there sat another on the
floor in the lowest state of despondency ; and
then a [)ious brother or sister would stoop
down and whisper, " Pray on, sister, pray on.
God is willing to be gracious ; do not give up."
And very often this peculiar process of conver-
sion would force a shout for mercy, or a shriek
of des])air from many who almost thought
themselves forever lost. Meantime, during
the holy uproar, one or two preachers and
a few of the converted and experienced mem-
bers of the church went slowly about from
pew to pew, now pleading with one, now
entreating another, " to turn to the Lord ;"
now making a fraternal inquiry as to the
State of a sister's soul, or whispering a word

of encouragement to a brother struggling
underhis heavy burden of sin. Mrs. Baker and
other matured female members were also
engaged in the same way- -tendering pious
consolation.

At intervals, as some penitent professed to
have found " peace," exclamations Avould fol-
low from manv — " Praise the Lord !" " Bless
the Lord!" "'Glory, glory !" "Hallelujah!"
" Amen !" and others, under the impulse of
the moment, would cry out and clap liands as
if to signal the triumph. Then all would
rise and sing again.

Mr. Baker, having passed from one to another
in the mean time, now addressed a ])lain
woilving-man, who appeared to be looking
on with the greatest indifference ; he stood,
his hands in his pockets, leaning leisurely
against one of the pillars supjiorting the
gallery, quite unmoved by the excitement ;
evidciiiiy one of llie many who regard this
peculiar method of siwritual renovation as a
delusion.

" Brother," said Mr. Baker, gently laying
his hand »jn the man's shoulder, " how is the
Lord dealing with your soul ? do you feel that
you have no interest in — "

" See here," cried the man abruptly, " I want
none of jiour gammon — no, I don't. Go on
and make fools and idiots of them before you ;
they are fools, but the knaves that make them
what they are should suffer — ay, they should."

Mr. Baker started back as if stung by a
scorpion ; he looked sharply at the man's face
in the dim light • it was a face not altogether
strange ; he began to feel angry, and for a
moment scrutinized every feature.

" Yes, look at me," said the man, with the
same imperturbable coolness ; " if you don't
know me, I know you — yes, I do ; and you'd
know me better if I could put sudi chaps as you
in the common Bridewell for what you've been
doing ; you would know me then, you would."

" How dare you come here and speak to me
this way in the house of the liord V" said Mr.
Baker, getting very much irritated.

" House of the Lord ! house of the dev — !"

" Wretch !" cried Mr. Baker, without giving
the man time to finish the last syllable of a
profane word. " Did you come here to pollute
the sanctuary, and interrupt divine service?
I shall have you arrested."

"To pollute the sanctuary," said the man,
repeating the words scornfully ; " better call
it a mad-house — that's what it is. Do you call
that divine service?" said he, pointing to the
fearful religious confusion before him. " Do
you call them poor creat.ires as ones bavin'
their comnifm senses? and do yon call that
poor raving lady yonder — as is walking up and
down afore y(^ all— doyoucall her converted V"

"Ah!" said Mr. Baker. " I know who you
are now. Did you com4 here to scoff, at your
master's bidding?"

" I came, but it was not to listen to your
stufV'; I came, at his bidding, to see after that
poor lady ; y u ought to be jjroud of your
work — you ought. But the law is on your
side ; only for that, yes — only for that. Well,
if you were a man as had human nature in you,
you'd have her away from here long ago ; but
you're not," said Robert, now getting excited,

EXETER HALL.

125

Eak«"ruiid
wert! also
iug pious

•ofespod to
ivould I'ol-
!" "BltPS
lUelujali!"
npiilse of
) luinds aB
all would

to anotlior

I a plain
e looking

lie stood,
Icisurt'ly
rtiiij; the
citement ;
'gnrd this
ation as a

ly laying
liow is the
lu I'eel that

y, " I want
t. Go on
cfore you ;
iiako them
y should."
xmfr by a
man's face
altojjethor
and for a

, with the
yon don't
and you'd
apsasyou
)u'vo been
•u would."
leak tome
said Mr.

dev— !"
)nt ffivingf
lable of a
topolluto

service ?

the man,
>etter call
() you call
n<r to the
ini. "Do
es havin'
call that

II fr up and
ivcrtedV"

who yon
f, at your

to your
after that
of your
on vour
vt. Well,
10 in you,
njfo ; but
[J excited,

" you're like the rest of your tribe ; there's
nothing good only what ymi have. You
should be made to pay for your deviltry — you
should."

Robert never flinched an inch as he gave
his opinion so freely. His resolute manner
somewhat cowed Mr. Baker, who now, as if
struck by what had been said, or by some
fancied eccentricity in Mrs. Mannors— u])on
whom he had steadfastly looked .since Roi)ert
had pointed toward her — went quickly away
without making any reply, and whispered to
his wife, who was still busy among the peni- 1
tents.

"Ay, you may go now," said Robert, in a \
kind of growling under-tone, as the preacher
walked up hurriedly between the pews. " You
may go, but you're too late. Your prayers
will never more do her any good — never.
She's not the first that's been here to save her
soul and lose her reason — not the first."

At this time, and since the close of the ser-
mon, Mrs. Mannors had been walking alone,
backward and forward, in a passage behind
the pulpit leading to a " class-room " or kind
of vestry. Pier bonnet was off, and her un-
bound hair fell upon her shoulders. She
would occasionally stop and look at the con-
fused scene before her with a frightened or
bewildered gaze ; or pause to listen for a
moment to the tumult of dismal sounds, and
then suddenly dart back, as if terrified at
something she had heard. Her lips moved
continu illy, and at times she would heave a
deep sigh, and in a low melancholy voice
would utter, " I am lost, I am lost ; God I
oave me."

It was noticed that the first few evenings
of her attendance at the revival she went
amongst the penitents and prayed with them,
as did Mrs. Baker and other members of her
" class ;" s!ie was rather more demonstrative
than usual ; then all at onco became demure
and reserved, and for the past night or two
kept mostly by herself, doing nothing very

f)articular to attract attention ; indeed, if she
lad, the revival exoitcmeiit being at its
height would prevent even a very extrava-
gant act from being observed ; for where
nearly all seemed for the time to abandon
ordinary decorum, one perhaps more singular-
ly afllicted than Mrs. Mannors might not be
suspected.

Mrs. Baker, followed by her husband, went
toward the ])assage when* Mrs. Mannors was
walking. They stopped at a little distance
to watch her movements, and see whether
they could be justified in assuming that her
mind was impaired. The scrutiny must have
satisfied them ; a look of deep meaning
jiassed froni one to the other, and though
they 8too<l closer to her than at first, she pacwl
on moodily as before, without raising her eyes
from the floor or changing the sad rxpression
of her face. It was pitiful to see this wreck ;
and the preaclun', anxious to attract her atten-
tion and speak to her, now stood right in her
way — the passage itself was rather gloomy —
and when she suildenly came upon his dark
figure, she started back in alarm, raised her
linnds, gave a wild cry, and fell trembling on
the floor.

Mrs. Baker and one or two sisters raised the
demented woman, and led her into the room
back of the churcli. The cry, though pierc-
ing, did not seem to disconcert the revivalists
for any time — it was taken to be one of the
ordinary ett'ectsof that spiritual despair which
is said to precede the assurance of heavenly
reconciliation ; and wh le fruitless efforts and
prayers were made in the vestry to win back
reason, and dispel the frightful apparitions of
a frenzied brain, every means was used in the
church to bring others to the dangerous verge
of despondency ; and the continued sighs, and
groans, and shouts of alarmed sinners in the
sanctuary, given to appease an "angry God,"
could now be heard in that closed room, like
the wailing of a distant tempest, the rusli of
waves, and the doleful death-cry of struggling,
drowning men.

CHAPTER XXIV.

It was late that night before Mrs. Mannors
could be induced to leave the class-r<wm. She
had stealthily made her escape from lier own
house in the evening, and dreadM to return
to her home. It was, idie said, the " city of
destruction," and she fancied she had com-
mitted the unpardonable sin by remaining
there so long. She never siioko of he'r chil-
dren, and was silent when their names were
mentioned. She seemed to think that Hannah
and her husband were but specious fiends,
endeavoring to lure her on to ])erdition : her
insanity was undoubted, and she could no
longer be allowed to go about unattended
particularly aa William yet continued in a
very critical state. Mrs. Baker and another
pious friend, however, remained Mith her
until ilvi next day, and, as she grow no better,
it was deemed advisable to have her removed
for a time ; and Mr. Mannors consented that
she should be taken to Mrs. Baker's residence ;
ho felt satisfied that she would receive every
attention, and that, in the moan time, it would
bo a friendly asylum.

Mr. Capel returned the day afterward, much
to the satisfaction of all in Hampstead Cot-
tage : he was astonished at the suddenness
of the calamity that had falh.'u upon hia
friend, and no one could be more assiduous
in endeavoring to mitigate the severe trials to
which ho was subjected. Mary, from watch-
ing day and .'liglit at the bedside of her
brother, was sadly changtul ; and poor Han-
nah's eyes were red with weeping, as well for
the woo which had fallen i.i])on her mistress
as on account of the disease which she believed
was slowly but suriily wearing out tin; young
life of (me to whom she was so much attached.

How lonely the whole i>hici! appeared ;
there was but little dift'erence between noon
and midnight. Ominous looking clouds came
along, and streamed down upon the house aa
they passed away; and the tr(>es around
sigiietl audibly as if an October wind— a pre-
mature blast —^were about to rob tlu-m of their
foliage. The long hours of the day as well as
of the night sped slowly by, as if they wcto
willing to slacken pac(! and add a few mo-
ments longer to the lingering, limited exist-

;.:tj;

!iVi<

|t ..►

« I

126

EXETER HALL.

Lmm*^'*^

ill

-, i*

■ *||g.n,

■lit: ,;.^

Nn.i,

- r

ence of the younjj sufferer. Alas ! thought
Mr. Capel, as ho sat alone in the once pleasant
parlor, what a shadow is human lite — how
evanescent ! It is but as yesterday since one,
apparently happy and sound in mind, wel-
comed me like a mother to this place, told me
of her dreams, and visions, and hopes, and of
the bright future in the distance ; now that
mind is a blank, every pleasant and maternal
recollection is blotted out, and she may go
down to the grave without any dawning of
reason. It seems but an hour since the gentle
laugh of him who wap her pride — but now in
the clutches of death — was heard like music
among the flowers, a laugh that came so
oft with the sunlight, but which may never
be heard again. •

What a cloud, dark and unpropitious, settled
already over this once happy home ! misfor-
tunes had come there together ; and even now
many of the pious Avere free to remark that it
was a judgment — "just what might have been
expected from unbelief!" But then it was
one more calamitous to the believing wife
than to the unbelieving husband ; if the trial
was sore to him, his reason was not withered,
he was not doomed to be the living sepulchre
for a " dead soul." O orthodoxy I how un-
charitable are thy impulses !

The patience and manly fortitude of Mr.
Manners surprised Mr. Capel. He could see
that his friend was cut to the quick, yet bore
all most heroically. Now tenderly moistening
the parched lip or cooling the fevered brow
of his prostrate child ; now whispering hope
and encouragement to his daughter, even
when hope could scarcely find a resting-i)lace
in his own heart ; and then trying to cheer up
Hannah, whose generous nature was almost
overcome. Her mental resources were insuf-
ficient under the stroke ; the oft luminous
pages of Bunyan were now dark and depress-
ing. Mr. Manners went about quietly, doing
every thing in his jwwer to heal the wounds
of others, when it was but too apparent that
the dart had entered deeply into his own
bosom ; and, though forced to taste of the bit-
ter cup that fate had presented, yet, with great
consideration for the feelings of Hannah, and
of some religious friends Avho called from time
to time, he never alluded to the particular
cause of his wife's aflhction, and never uttered
a reproachful word.

Mr. Capel, however, was satisfied that that
affliction did not arise from any latent disor-
der of the mind, or from any inherited tenden-
cy to aberration ; it was the effect of unnatu-
ral religious excitement upon a too sensitive
organization, inducing a faith in dreams and
visions, and gradually producing some i)leas-
ing hallucination that lingered and was nour-
ished, and became a reality, and which then
shaped itself into a monster, a usurper, which
overpowered reason and reigned supreme
in mental devastation. It has been the
fate of ten thousand others. Alas! what
intellects have been crushed and ruined
beneath the gilded car of a pomj)ous and
imperious suijerstition. How many enthu-
siasts have been broken under tlie ponde-
rous wheel of the Christian Juggernaut; and
the useless and maddening pageant still

moves on, amid the groans of victims and the
hosannahs of priests.

The unwearied Hannah still watched by
the side of William ; his sister, who was much
fatigued, tried to snatch a little rest in dozing
upon a sofa near by, and lie had lain compara-
tively quiet for some minutes listening to the
heavy rain which now pattered against the
window-panes.

"Hannah," said he, in a \ ry faint voice,
" why doesn't ma come here ? I want her now
to tell me of the bright angels she used to
dream so often about, I want her now to let
me see them ; she often told me how beauti-
ful they were, and that I should know them,
and they know me ; I wish I could see them
to-day — yes, today."

Hannah leant over his pillow to catch every
word ; she was painfully struck with the
change in his manner and appearance, and her
heart beat quickly with foreboding ])ulsation8.

" Your ma is tired, darling, and is resting,
like Miss Mary. She will soon be here, I
hope ; but she is tired now, very tired."

" Poor ma ! — tired and asleep. I am tired
too — very tired and weary — and must soon
sleep. 1 would like to have her come soon
and kiss me, and tell me about the angels
again ; for I am tired, and may sleep a long,
long time."

She listened to his failing voice, and made
no reply ; she could not then speak, but one of
her big tears fell upon his pale cheek.

By an effort, he raised his little thin hand,
and let it rest upon her dark hair ; he looked
at her for a moment, and then said, " Poor,
poor Hannah!"

" O my darling child ! O my darling
child ! I've prayed for you, but now I wish
my heart would break," she sobbed in a low
voice. These were the only words to which
she could give utterance, as the tears coursed
down her cheeks ; and she pressed the small
hand to her lips as if she never intended to
let it go again.

He looked intently at her for some time in si-
lence, a look such as one of her blest ideals
might have given to sorrowing humanity,
and she in turn tried to restrain her tears and
seem cheerful.

" Why do you cry, pjoor Hannah ? — don't cry
forme! you know we must all sleep. Ma
often told us that we shojLild all sleep, and
awake again at the resurrection— what is the
rcsurvcction ?"

" The resurrection, dear," said she, after some
hesitation, "is when we get up to go to
heaven, after we die."

" Up from where — from sleep ?"

" Up fix)m our graves ! we shall all get up
at the last day."

" From our graves — from our graves," he
repeated the words slowly, and then pondered
over their solemn meaning.

" Will e\cty body get up to go to hea-
ven?"

" I hope so, dear," said she, trying to evade
a direct answer ; " Oh ! how I wish it was to-
morrow ! all to be together again."

He remained for a time in deep thought,
during which ho watched the wearied face of
her who was now to him as a mother, and

■.ii' i'

ms and the

i^atchod by
:> was much
it in doziu^
in compura-
ning to the
igaiust tho

faint voice,
mt her now
he used to
now to h'l
liow beauti-
;now them,
d. see them

catch every

: with the

ice. and her

' ])u1sations.

. is resting,

ho here, I

tired."

I am tired

must soon

come Boon

the angels

eep a long,

3, and made

:, but one of

eek.

J thin hand,

; he looked

aid, " Poor,

ny darling
low I wish
pd in a low
is to which
ars coursed
the wnall
ntendcd to

e time in si-
)lest ideals
humanity,
r tears and

— don't cry

Bleep. Ma

sleep, and

what is tho

. after some
to go to

all get up

rraves," ho
u pondered

go to hea-

ig to evade
I it was to-

p thought,
ried face of
lother, and

EXETER HALL.

127

then said to her in a whisper, " Tell ma to
come soon — very soon, I shall sleep to-night ;
1 ut I must sleep again to-morrow, yes, toiiujr-
row. Hannah, stay near me until tlien, uud
I will como buck at tlio resurrection."

Thero was a deep silence after this pro-
phetic warning, and Ilanuali had tc leave the
room to stifle tho terrible grief which tried to
find utterance.

She soon heard his feeble voice again, and
when she bent down low to catch his words,
he whispered :

" Won't you bring me Flounce ? I must see
poor Flounce to-day. Do, do let me see him
again."

Presently tho afFectionatp animal followed
Hannah into tho darkened room ; his head
hung down, as if lu! anticipated a last leave-
taking. A chair was drawn close to the bed ;
he sat upon it, and, suppressing every joyful
demonstration, looked mournfully into the
large eyes of his young mnster, gently licking
tho hand that was now slowly extended to-
ward him. The dog's subdued manner
touched the tender feelings of the boy ; he
would have wept, but tho fountain of his tears
was forever sealed.

Flounce left the room with reluctance,
and after his removal he lay tl«3 remainder of
the day outside in the wet grass, under the
rain in tho lonely garden, looking up at the
curtained window of William's room and
whining piteously.

It was the evening of the next day ; the sun
was setting in glorious effulgence. A great
white cloud, like a mountain of light, was
moving slowly onward toward the east ; the
red and golden beams which now rested upon
it made it appear as if it were the throne of a
divinity ; and ti) the imagination it might have
been made the foundation for any sublime
aerial structure. The robin's lone farewell-
notes were heard in the garden ; but all else
was still, not more still, however, than the
living and dying who looked through the
open window upon the beautiful mellow light
of eve slowly fading away in the western
sky.

At William's request, his bed was moved
so that ho could look out through the win-
dow and take his last view of earth ; and as
his wan face was turned toward the sunset, the
rays that fell around it only served to show
more plainly the death-shadows that were al-
ready creeping in and resting ujion his fea-
tures — shadows that no morning light would
ever more dispel. Hannah looked awe-
struck ; it seemed then to h«T as if the very
portals of heaven were opened to receive the
nure spirit of a departing ])ilgrim. But Mary,
l)ale and worn, could not turn lier head away
from her brother ; now burying her face in
his pillow, now pressing her lips upon his cold
foreliead that was already damp with the dew
of death ; she saw the flickering of the little
lamp, and would watch imtil it was blown out
forever.

Mr. Capel and Mr. Mannors stood silently
by ; to one it was an hour of the darkest trial,
and the heavy bursting sighs of that fatlier's
breast could alono truly tell how the deep
fountain of liis affection was overflowing ; and

Mr. Capel's eyes were suffused, as if he were
waiting by the side of a dying brother ; it was
a death-scene which should never leave his
memory.

" Pop," said the dying boy, raising his fee-
ble voice, and locjking eagerly upward at tho
magnificent sun-lit cloud. " Pop, that is the
summerland, and ma is there ; oh ! I see her
among such a crowd of angels I She is now
beckoning to me — see, Hbnnali, ma is wait-
ing! how beautiful she looks! but I'm getting
very cold ; won't you sing again for me, Han-
nah V 1 am sleepy — I must eoyn sleep — sing for
me now "

Poor Hannah struggled to comply with hia
last recpiest to her, ancl, while all were silent-
ly weeping, she sung in a low, broken voice
a veise from one of his mother's favorite
hymna —

" Lift np yonr eyes of ftiitli and see
Saints and an<;els joined in one ; ■
What a coiintlcfs company
iitaud before yon dazzling throne !"

When she had sung thus far, he fiiade an
attempt to raise himself from the pillow, but
his head fell back powerless ; aC was a last ef-
f(jrt of his tender nature to ofl'er all an em-
brace ; he could but just whisper. " Kiss me,
pa ; kiss me, Hannah ; kiss me, Pop ; I am get-
ting very tired, and must nr/W sleep ; but I
will come back again with ma at the resurrec-
tion — good night !"

The evening sun just then disappeared ; tho
great cloud stood alone in the ruddy sky, and
William closed his eyes in that last sleep, and
went off to the real or fancied summerland.

Days, dreary days, had passed since the fresh
mound was raised in Hampstead churchyard,
and fresh flowers had been almost daily scat-
tered upon the little grave by a sister's hand,
lu the (juiet evenings, when Hannah felt lone-
ly, she would go and pit by the headstone in
the cemetery and watch the western sky, as if
expecting some recognition from him who
had departed ; but no signal appeared ; no token
ever came ; no voice from across the lone sea
ever reached her ear ; no secret was revealed ;
but the future to her, as well as to many
others still kept its own solemn mystery.

CHAPTER XXV.

One month after the sad scene witnessed
by Mr. Capel in the house of his afllictod
friend, he received a peremptory note from
the Kev. James Baker, requesting his attend-
ance at tho quarterly meeting, to commence
on the ftdlowing Saturday in the Hampstead
Methodist church. It had boen mooti'd about
for some time that Mr. (,'apel was strangely
inditt'erent and lukewarm in his religious
duties ; that his ministrations were irregular ;
and that his manner indicated he had no heart
in the " work." Some said tliat he was but a
mere formalist ; others that he was foppish ;
others that he was popish ; and many asserted
that he was assuming clerical airs more like a
high-churchman than comporting himself as
an humble preacher of the Uospel ; and know-

;'•■;

I , i

128

EXETER HALL.

!•*•*

1 ' ( *''i

r- ■

'-IT"

ltd-'

-i''^

^'•^r

Jnp ones were of opinion that ho was prepnr-
inp: to follow other lii^li-niinded prcncliorH,
and denert tho " old WcHk-.van ship," to ob-
tain a curacy in the state church, and kw«-11
out as a Church of Enjrland minister. There
were a lew, however, who had niihjjivings as
to the true cause of his ajjathy ; and confi-
dential whispers to this etlect wen; ])0'ired
Into the ear of the Kev. James Baker, super-
intendent of the circuit.

So far, indee<l, from beinjf vainjfh)rious, Mr.
Cajiel had nuido many friends on the circuit
by his unassuming disposition, and several
liero and there stood up in his defense. The
younjT lady members in particular were
(jenerally of opinion that no such servant of
God had ever belore a])peared amonjj them ;
Rndoue sanctified spintster, of over thirty-live
summers, said she would be willint; to fight
lier way in his belialf through a whole con-
ference of ju'cachers, even were they as stony-
liearted as the sterii senior i)reacher of llamp-
Btead. The ladies generally Hocked in large
numbers^o hear the calm gospel exi'ositions
of Mr. t'ai)el, and the lemalo membi-rship of
the church greatly incn-asod under his
" word." Although he avoided every exciting
theme, there were as many female " conver-
sions " as if he had been one of the Boanerges
class ; and he had constMpiently " seals to his
ministry " which might not have followed
from the preaching even of a much older
man— one who was more matured in "divine
things" — such as the superintendent himself.

Whether the liev. Mr. Baker grew a little
jealous of his younger brother on this parti-
cular account can not be fairly asserted. He
might have had good methodistic reasons lor
the course he was about to pursue. Mr.
Capel kept aloof, and had not called at the
parsonage for nearly a month ; and when he
did call, Imrried away, giving no satisfactory
statement of the afliiirs on the circuit. It
was well known among the brethren that he
never encouraged revival meetings ; and when
those anxious for a "si)ecial outpouring"
made efforts to awaken slumbering sinners,
he always managed to be absent, and often
hinted that he would prefer to have every
thing done " decently and in order." But it
was not until after the sad derangement of
Mrs. Mannors that he sjjoke out jjlainly.
Sympathizing with her family, he felt indig-
nant that such a sad result — one of many —
should follow from the persistency of Method-
ism in religious excitements, and he had the
temerity to state that revivals were but nur-
series lor lunacy. Besides this, it was well
known that he spoke of Mr. Mannors as a i)er-
son whose example, in several respects, might
be followed advantageously by numy gospel
ministers, and he was ever ready to defend
his character from the unscrupulous attacks
so commonly made by the pious or orthodox
against imbelievers ; and certain expressions
made from time to time conveying his doubt
of eternal punishment alarmed not a lew of
the more zealous, whose Methodistic instincts
h;d th(>m to reverence the Bible, as much for
its consignment of the wicked to eternal tor-
ments as for its ))erp(.'tuity of glorious re-
wards to the faithful.

Mr. Capol had made preparations to leave
Ilampstead Cottage after the d»'ath of Wil-
liam ; he had several reasons for so doing.
He had been solicited by Mrs. Manners to
reside in her family, in order to acc()i;i|,lish a
purpos which now could never \n' reached ;
his own religi(ms views liad underg(-neacom-
l)lete change ; his mission was therefore us^
h'ss ; and lie felt that if it was projjcr to
change his i)lace of residence, it was much
more so his duty to break off all C(,nnecti()ns
with a society whose teachings he had ceased
to believe. Yet, dreading the obbxpiy which
was almost certain to follow a formal recanta-
tum, he was desirous of withdrawing gradual-
ly from Methodist membership, aiul ho trust-
ed that some ojijjortunity would be iifforded to
make his exit unnoticed. He couUl not con-
sistently teach a doctrine which he did not
believe ; for over a month he had neither been
seen nor lieard at any religious service — it
was public talk— and the anomalous position
he occui)ied made him very tinhapi)y, ^^^
rendered it necessary for him to do sonu'thing
to release himself from a bondage which was
so irkscmie.

He often met liis friend, Father Tom Mc-
(ilinn, often traveled with him whole days,
had had long and interesting conversations
<m the subject of religi<m ; and hv found that
his friend in Bomish orders — a veritalde priest
of the " Alother Church " — was just " as much
in the mud as he was in the mire ;" that both
were sliding — or rather had slidden — from
doubt to unbelief; both reputed ministers of
the (Jospel, though of widely different and
hostile sects, were each anxious to be free
from the fetters of a religion which investiga-
tion had shown to be the more modern fonu
of an ancient superstition; and both alike
dreading the outcry whicli would be nuide
upon their open defection, were consequently
more and more in sympatliy.

Father McGlinn, after all, thought it best
that his friend should answer the summons,
and ajjpear in person at the quarterly meet-
ing ; and Mr. Mannors, who would not hear
of Mr. Capel's change of residence', also advised
him to go boldly and hear every accusation.
There might be invidious charges, which
it would be necessary to dis])rove. 'JMie ortho-
dox seldom belif^vc that religious doubts or
openly avowed skepticism can arise from any
l)ure motive — any abstract love of truth; or
that any man can desire to be raised above e.
class of servile worshipers of any myth or
creed but from a desire for sensual indul-
gence, an eagerness to he rid of the whole-
some restraints of religion. Mr. Mannors
therefore strongly urged that Mr. Baker
should be met on his own ground ; and that
while Mr. Capel made such acknowledgments
respecting religion as he thought proper, ho
should (kimand proof, or rebut charges against
his character, upon which solely they might,
and no doubt Avould try, to base a motion for
his expulsion.

The Rev. James Baker, in the m«;an fime,
was very industriously circulating his ojiinion
of Mr. Capel throughout vari<jus parts of the
circuit. He well knew where he could dis-
cover pliant aids for his purpose, and hu

EXETER IIALL.

129

to leave
I of Wil-
«) (loinjj.
iiinorH to
iniilish a
rcuclicd ;
\\v a com-
•i'oro UB(!-
|iro)M;r to
■ftH muoli
niH'cfions
ftd c(ni8otl
iiy which
I rcranta-
<: {xradual-

lio trust-
ft'orded to

not coii-
!■ did not
tlit'rheen
LTV ice — it
B position
ilH)y, and
onu'thing
liich was

Tern Mc-
olo days,
vi'i'f^ations
oiind that
ible priest
" aenmch
that hoth
len — from
nisters of
LTcnt and

bo free
investiga-
li'rn forai
)oth alike

he made
sequently

ht it best
BnmmonB,
•rly mt't't-
not hoar
so advised
ccusntion.
•s, which
lie ortho-
hnibts or
from any
truth; or

1 above e.
myth ()••

lal indul-
10 whoU'-
Mannors
r. Baker
and that
■djrmentH
iioper, ho
s a}iavii»*t
cy mifJtlit,
notion for

lean tiiiit'.
is opinion
,rtB of the
L-.ould dis-
I. and he

found them. ITe was exceedinpfly l)itter in
liiH denunciation of ministerial unfaitlifuhiesH,
and he succeeded in depictini; tlie conduct of
the junior preacher as deservinjf the impeacli-
ment of tlie " diurcli of (Jod." lie insisted
tliat the " servants of tiie Lord " were bound
to make the ])unisliment of such jrross perfidy
a terror to evil dot ts ; and for days, wiiile
some of the younij; ladies dared to sympathize,
the select " peoi)ieof the Lonl " were prei)arin^
to jjive an (^xiiiliition «)f Christian forbearance
and magnanimity.

The dreaded Saturday came. The churcli
was filled ; and altiioujjli nuiny of the brethren
had to leave their daily toil, tliey did leave it,
to bo present on 8U(;li an occasion of impi>i'-
tance. The ladies ass(!tnbled in as {jreat
numbers as if there were to be a special revi-
val, or a missionary meetin<r, or a j)ul)lic rais-
injj of some dead Lazarus. Local preachers,
church stewards, and other otHcial members
were well represented ; and besides Mr. Baker,
there were three other jireacliers, among
whom was the old superannuated itinerant,
who had held forth in such a lively discourse
at the late protracted meetinjj.

Mr. Baker, as superintendent of the circuit,
preached a doleful, prosy sermon, in which
ministerial backslidin<; was represented as one
of the basest crimes ajfainst the church ; and
he simulated jrrcat rejrret at beiii}? compelled,
much ajrainst his will, but as a matter of
duty, to brin<r serious charj^es a<jjainst a bro-
ther — an errinj; brother — for whom he once
had such a stronji; and deep affection. He
assured his brethren that this duty was most
painful ; but the cause of the Lord should not
be influenced by our hunuin feelings^the
rifjht eye should be plucked out or the rifj^ht
hand cut off, should dire necessity require
the sacrifice.

Mr. Capel did not make his a])i)oaranco until
after these jireliminary services were over.
The eyes of many had wandered over the
church, and mucli surprise was manifested
when he could not be seen. Mr. Baker him-
self felt then like an Abraham without an
Isaac ; the altar was raised, he held out the
sliining blade ready for the sacrifice ; he
wanted to make an atonement, but no victim
appeared. IFe be^an to feil as unc(mifortable
as a ti.sjftr robbed of his jirey, when Mr. Capel
was seen walkinjr slowly up the aisle, the
object of jiromiuent interest to all ; and it was
evident that he was somewhat nervous under
the concentrated gaze of so many firm be-
lievers.

He took his place quietly, however, and
scanned tluiCDUiplacent faces of the sanctified
rmv of church olficials ; not one of whom, in
this try.ng hour, ventured to give him even a
nod of friendly recognition. There was a
flutter among the ladies, and one f:articular
sjjinster ajiplied her handkerchief very fre-
quently, and looked (juite woebegone.

After some formalities, there was a great
luish, when Mr. Baker stood before the breth-
ren as an accuser. Ho niiterattnl that it
was painful to him as a minister of the (los-
pcl, and it was with much reluctance that he
was obliged to call their atti'ntion to certain
charges which he felt it his Vioundeu duty to

prefer against brother Henry Capel — ho would
still call him brother— the junior preacher un-
der his superintendency. Indeed, one might im-
agine that at this particular time the worthy
nnin had found diHiculty in giving utterance
to liis words ; he was very much affected,
very, and the faces of the official bnjthren
around were lengthened into the gloomiest
solemnity.

Having adjusted his spectacles, he opened a
|)aper, and read out the chargtss.

" Ist. That he, Henry Capel, as junior prea-
cher, has b(HMi negligent in his duties and
irn^gular in his api)ointnients.

" 3d. That he has sneered at and reviled the
practice, discii)line, and tc-aching of our church
and found(!r, and has sjjoken contemptuously
of our holy religifm.

" t)d. That his private acts and hia general
conduct and morality have been discreditable
to himself, and a reproach to the people of
Uod."

With respect to the first charge, Mr. Baker
said, it was well known that for a long time
Mr. Capel had not kept his appointmcmts.
People attended at the r(!gular time men-
tioned on the " i)lan," but no preacher came ;
some IVivolous excuse having been given for
non-attendance. Even when he did preach, it
was but a mere lecture in favor of a cold, for-
mal morality ; not a stirring appeal to induce
sinners to flee from the wrath to come.

He was then about to furnish evidence in
jiroof, when Mr. Capel said that, for several
reasons which he need not. mention, his ai>
pointments were not regularly kei)t ; he ad-
mitted the correctness of the charge, and
regretted that he had caused the members any
inconvenience. Any address or "lecture"
which he had given was an effort to improve
his hearers morally and intellectually ; he had
thought it best to appeal to the reason instead
of to the feelings.

Mr. Bak(;r said that tjie next charge was
far more serious. He, Mr. Capel, on several
occasi(ms — privately, he admitted, but yet not
less invidiously — had stated that God's Holy
Bible was false and contradictory in several
jdaces. False in its history and science ; false
and oven barbarous in its general teachings
and tendency ; false in its idea of a Supreme
Being. Its prophecies were false, its mira-
cles untrue, and that many parts of that
blessed book \n!re unfit to be read. " 1 can
not, I dare not, my friends," said the speaker,
much excited, " repeat the horrid blasphtmiies
to which be has given utterance. Tlu! ofteuse
is of such a nature as not only suificient to
exclude any man from our confidence — to place
him beyond the pale of moral society — but
also to subject him to the pains and penalties
wisely and proj)erly provided against blas-
phemy by the laws of this realm. my
friends ! I feel a dreadful responsibility for hav-
ing permitted that man — that guilty, deceitful
num — to go about among our people and be-
tray us, while holding such sentiments."

The reverend gentleman grew very indig-
nant ; his assumed regret and forbearance dis-
appeared, and he scowled upon the accused
with a ferocity of expression which might have
made even his pioijs brother in the ministry,

i. •'*■?
I. -1(1)'

» I

?tv.

180

EXETER HALL.

I''

111

■I i

Doctor BuBter, feel a little norvoun. Yot Mr.
Capel sat then! unintiniidated ; \ni novor tlincli-
ed beneath tlie.dnrk fiery eye tliat was now
turni-d uiH)n him ; but it whh particilarly for-
tunate for liini, at the time, that " brother " Ua-
ker had not full j)ower to iniiM)8e the aforesaid
" pains and penalties so wisely provided by
law." The rack or the thunib-ticniw, so neces-
sary in other days for the i)ropajjation of one
form of Christianity, might not then have been
looked ujMm with such holy horror were this
servant of Ood only permitted tn apply them in
defense of the " book of books."

Brother Wesley Jacobs and others of the
elect were prieved in spirit, groaned audibly,
and shuddered to find themselves in such
proximity to an actual rcviler of the Gospel ;
It was dreadful ; and many of the faithful
around raised their pious eyes toward tlie
<ieilinpr, and thanked God that they had not
hearts of unbelief. Nearly all looked upon
the junior preacher as one who had fallen —
miserably fallen — from a high estate ; ye^, on«!
whose condemnation was alrt;ady seahnl.
Were he a criminal— a felon before a judicial
bar — there would lu|ive. -b'Tn hope, pity, ond
sympathy, extended.lMilvard him ; but for an
awful unbeliever diU'Lot the word say, " Let
Lim be accursed " ? ,#

Besides some of the ladies whose tender feel-
ings were yet with the accused, " old Father
White " — as the superannuated preacher was
familiarly called — looked with compassion
upon the young man, and yearned for his
soul as well a.s for his restoration. Father
White was loved for his kind, human impul-
ses ; the natural man was not yet entirely
absorbed in the spiritual. He knc w there
was one text which said, " But though we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that whicli we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed ;" and
another, "If there come any unto you and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him Godspeed ;"
still, under the influence of human frailty, he
preferred the text which said, " Judge not,
and ye shall not Vi judged ; condemn not,
and ye shall not be condenmed ; forgive, and
ye shall be forgiven.'' And now, could he get
his erring brother — or rather his erring son —
then and there to make an open acknowledg-
ment of his sin — to accept the divine word
before all, it would bring confusion upon skep-
tics, and redound to the glory of the Gospel.

In natural dispositions, there was a great
difference between the old superannuated
preacher, Father White, and the liev. James
Baker, the superintendent. The influence of
the spirit which would induce one to restore a
doubting Thomas would actuate the other to
cut him off nxjt and branch. There was the
mild imi)ul8e of humanity on the one side
and the stern, unrelenting spirit of orthodoxy
on the other.

" My son — my brother," said the old
preacher, " do you not see how greatly you
nave sinned in bringing discredit upiHi the
Gosptel of our Lord? The guilt is greater on
your part, having been a laborer in the vine-
yard. God looks upon unbelief, that hideous
monster of the human heart, as involving

the rejection «»f the Holy Spirit— a sin of such
magnitude as to close the ear of heavenly
ineicy to all future a])])eals, and seal the of-
fender to the doom of eternal jjerdition.

" Th(^ tru<' Christian can not— (hvre not — look
upon the rejection of the (Josp«'l in any more
favorable light. My brother, what saith the
Scriptun-— Matt. 1;}: IM, '.>2, ' / say unto you,
all manner of sin and blasjihemy "shall be for-
given unto men ; but the blasphemy against
the Holy Ghost nhull nothc foryinn unto men.
And whosoever siM'aketh a word against the
Son of Man, it sliall be forgiven him; but
whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost,
it shall not be forf/mn him — neither in this
world, neither in the world to come.'

" That is, ' all manner of sin ' — crimes of the
deepest dii; — ingratitude, murder, any thing
may be forgiven but that woeful offense
against the Holy Spirit— against high hea-
ven — shall not, can not be forgivi-n, dreadful
to contemplate I O my brother ! I fee-l tliat
the Sj)irit of God still strives with you, and
that you are not as yet left to a rejirobate
heart, and cut off forever. Hasten ! hesitate no
longer ! He who willfully rejects the divine
word rejects the spirit of grace, and insiires
his own condemnation. Mark your danger !
you once njceived the Gospel, dare you now
refuse it 1 Has not our Master said, ' No
man having put his hand to the plow, and
looking buck, is fit for the kingdom of God.'
And Paul says, in Heb. 5, ' It is imiwssible for
those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, if they shall fall
away, to renew them again unto repentance ;
seeing they crucify to themselves the Sou of
God afresh, and put him to an open shame.'
' If we sin willfully after that we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins ; but a certain fear-
ful looking for of judgment and fiery indigna-
tion, which shall devour the adversaries.'

" These extracts fnmi the word of God, my
brother, ought to make you start in your
sleep ! Be not attracted and deceived by the
world ; the transitory things of time and
sense are comparatively unworthy of our
notice. Cling to divine revelation — it gives
you an assurance of a glorious hereafter !
How insignificant are the rulers or gi-eat men
of the earth, when com])ared with the illus-
trious characters portrayed in the Holy Bible I
Who can compare with David the sweet
Psalmist of the Old Testament ; or with Paul,
the great apostle, of the New ? Alas ! what
would the world be without the Bible?
Where should we find our morality — where
our civilisation V Take away the Bible, and
the world would be a chaos ! Uproot our
divine religion, and what can you give in its
place r

The old preacher again tenderly pleaded,
and again repeated his admonitions. He
would have cheerfully given up his few re-
maining years, and have died to save his
erring brother ; and when ho sat down,
though Mr. Baker and others, " steadfast in
the Ijord," remained stern and immovable
yet the greater number under his voice and
exhortation were softened even to tears.

EXETER HALL.

131

I of Buch
heavenly
I the of.
m.

Kit — lodk
iny more
xaitli the
into you,
ill be for-
y aguinHt
into men.
tviiiBt the
lini ; but
ly Uhdst,
r in thia

lies of the
my thing
1 oflense
lijjh hea-
, dreadful
fe(!l that
you, and
re])r()bate
icsitate no
the divine
id insures
r danger!
you now
said, ' No
i)lo\v, and
u of God.:
lossible for
and have
shall fall
>l)entance ;
:he Son of
>n shame.'
e received
reniaineth
rtain fear-
y indigna-
iiries.'
Uod, my
in your
^■ed by the
time and
of our
■it gives
lereafter !
great men
the illus-
)ly Bible!
10 SAveet
ivith Paid,
as ! what
10 Bible?
y — whi^re
Bible, and
fproot our
give in its

y pleaded,
tions. He
lis few re-

savo his
jat down,
teadi'ast in
nmovable

voice and
ears.

CHAPTER XXVL

WiTKX Mr. ('ai»el got up to speak, there
was almost perfect silence ; all were anxious
to lu ar what he had to say in reply to tlu!
serious charges of the suix-rinteiulent, and
many wcrc! of opinion that the plea so feel-
ingly ma<h! by Father White had turned tlm
scale in favor of the accused; that he would
most probably acknowledge his error, and sub-
mit to a reproof. Mr. Baker liimself seemed
rather disconcerted ; he di<l not ajjprove of
tampering with an enemy ; he would not havi;
taken a single st(^p toward th(> reclamation of
a sk»'ptlc by argument. Unbelief to him was
a crime that should lu! punished. Ho would
rath(!r follow the example of a class of in-
<|uisitors, who, in dealing with certain peni-
tents, first granted al)solution, but gave the
body to the flames, lest the srml should b«' en-
dangered by a relapse into heresy.* As it was,
he n<uther wanted penitence nor pardon ; he
had the offender in his clutches — let the law
take its course.

" I can not but i, ■<''.," said Mr. Capel, "that
the consideration (extended toward me by the
liev. Mr. White demands my most heartfelt
thanks. Viewing the matter from liis stand-
point, I have committ«Ml a most grievous of-
fense against religion — against the church of
which 1 was once a member, but to which I
can never more claim to tielong. I would
fain have his good opinion ; and, for his sake,
and the sake of many othei-s, I wish we couhl
believe alike — I fear it is now impossible ; but
we all know by experience that that which
at one period of our lives might hnvc been
estimated as true and beautiful, at a subse-
(juent period may cease to possess that virtue
and quality. What appears to be truth to
one may be error to another ; and, as our con-
victions in this respect are not voluntary, but
are, or rather ought to be, the result of a men-
tal process, this result should be accepted, no
matter how painful to our own feelings or to
the feelings of another.

"The second charge brought against me by
the Rev. Mr. Baker is, in the main, correct ;
but I object to the terms which he lias used.
I have never ' sneered at ' or ' reviled ' any
thing religious, nor have I spoken ' contempt-
uously ' of the founder of Methodism, or of
any Christian doctrine. I admit that, for a
long jieriod, I had serious doubts — long rank-
ling privately in my own bosom ; these I tried,
with all my power, to supjiress ; and if pray-
ers or tears could have removed thoni, they
would not have remained. If I ever ventured
to mention tluun to any jierson, it was to sonu;
one whom I considered more experienced than
I was myself. Upon my appointment to this
circuit, I was surprised to find that many
members of the church — geniTally the more
studious and thoughtful — were troubled with
n(^arly the same doubts which agitated my
own mind, and sought occasionally to confer
with me for an explanation."

•The inquisitors probably took their cue from St.
Paul — 1 C()r. .5 : .5, " To delivor such a one unto Satan
for the destruction of the lle>>li, that the spirit may be
Baved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

" 'Tis false ! 'tis false ! Kamo thorn — let UB
know them!" cried Mr. Baker, jumping up,
dark and angry ; " let us have their namcH,
and let fheni answer for themselves if thev
are present. Tis false !" he wildly reiterated,
striking tiie palm of his hand fiercely. " No
man, woman, or child ou the circuit (iver had
doubts until you bniught them. 1 say again,
'tis liilse !"

Some of X\w ofllcial members were becom-
ing agitattid, and others rocked impatiently in
tlieir seats, as if anxious for the word of com-
mand to '• (fo in " and defend the faith ; and
were it not f )r tht» calm, tolerant bearing of
good Father White, there might hav(! l>een a
scene wonliy of a notice in the next morning
paper.

" Friends," said he mildly, " I pray let
there b(» no interrupti<m. Let us h'^-- Mr.
('ajiel's reply to the charges; let hi.' -=1 •• ik
freely, and if what he says is not sutticiei.t to
exculpate him, the church can so exjiress it,"

Mr. ('a[)el took no notice, however, of the
interruption. He said, if permitted, he would
give a simi>le statement of his views, and if
lie coidd be proved to be in error, he would
cheerfully submit to their decision. Having,
as he said, entertained serious doubts, he
thought it his duty, as one on probation for
the ministry, to inquire into the alleged er-
rors, discrepancies, and contradictions said to
have been discovered throughout the Bilde,
with a view of being better able to speak in
its defense and refute the arguments of
skeptics. In so doing, he had read the most
distinguished authors for and against the
Bible ; he conceived that he could form no
just conclusions by merely reading one side ;
that if the Bible were perfect truth, as its iip-
holders asserted, no strictness of investigation
could possibly affect its paramount claim.
Contrary to his expectations, however, that
investigation had but still further shaken his
faith, and satisfied him that his previous
doubts were but too well founded. Ho felt
that this was a delicate subject to mention in
a Methodist church ; but, as his motives had
been impugned, . e thought it but proper to
give tlu* reasons for his unbelief.

"We want to hear none of i/oiir reasons. 1
dare say your so-called investigation was
more confined to T(mi Paine than it was to
Paley ; no doubt your distinguished friend,
Manuoi's, gave you important assistance in
the research."

" Patience, brother Baker," said Mr. White.
" We should hear him out like Christian men —
like nu'n who are not afraid of the rock on
which they stand."

" I know," continued Mr. Capel, " how
deeply ministers and members of the church
must feel when defects and inconsistencies are
said to have been discovered in a book which
they have been taught to believe ' inspired ;'
1 kiiow personally the strength of such preju-
dice's, and I know how positive the precepts
of that book are against unbelief. But when
a claim is made to infallibility, such precepts
should not prevent investigation.

" If you shut out inquiry, distrust is sure to
enter. I do not wish to particularize in this
place, or to go into details as to what parts in

! -i

1 '

103

EXETER HALL.

itS-

■*

the Bible I hare fonnd objectionable. I do not
wish to utter any thing which might cause a
moment's pain to any on: present, but 1
wish to be pennitted to give the reasons why
I dissent from what has just been so kindly
expressed by one for whom I shall ever enter-
tain a high regard.

" Our reverend father has drawn a comparison
between the great men and rulers of the earth,
and two of the principal characters of Scrip-
ture, David and Paul- -the psalmist and the
great apostle. For ceiituries the pious have
given these personages a prominent place in
the histor}' of the Bible — have lauded their
many and noble virtues, and recommended
them as distinguished patterns to all mankind.
DaN-id, in particular, lias been called ' a man
after God's own heart ' for his reputed excel-
lencies and obedience to the divine will. The
Bible itself goes far to establish this reputa-
tion ; for it says that, ' David did that which
was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned
not aside from any thing that was command-
ed him all the days of his life, save only in
the matter of Uriah the Hittite.' It would be
difficult to find a greater eulogy within the
limits of that book. In reading this commend-
ation, a person Avould think that David was
one of the most estimable that ever lived. I
can not believe so. I judge him by the records
of tlie same Bible ; i.nd I have often thought
that there must have been one of the many
Bible inter])olation8, made to express a grave
orro'r--a blas])hemy — in saying that David
could ever be ' a man after God's own heart.'
Who would choose a cruel, blood-thirsty, ra-
pacious man — a deliberate murderer — to be his
bosom friend ? Let us glance at the history of
David.

" His firut principal act was the slaying of
Goliath, whose head ho afterwanl cut oft".
Anxious to obtain Michal, the king's daugh-
ter, for liis wife, Saul, it is said, told David
that if he bvought him the foreskins of one
hundred Philistines, he should have her.
David, who had been made a ' captain over a
thousand,' thereupon went with liis men and
slaughtered ' of the Philistines Ufo hundred
men,' one hundred more than was required ;
and ho ' brought their foreskins and gave
them in full tale, to the king, that lie might
be the king's sop- in law.' David, by this
means, succeeded in getting his first wife. It
strikes me that it was a most baibarous mode ;
no way inferior to the way in which brutal-
ized savages purchased similar favors with
the scalps of their enemies. Again, in a war,
ho ' went out and fought Avith the Philistines,
and slew them Avitli great sluuglitcr.' To
screen himself from the anger of Saul, he
prevailed upon Jonathan to tell the king a
talsehood. After he had fled from Saul, he tol<i
a li(! to Ahimelech, the priest, as to the rea-
B<m for his departure.

" When he wentto Achish, the king of Oath,
— being ' sore afraid ' — ' he changed his beha-
vior before them and feigned himsc If mad, and
scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let liis
spittle full down ui)on his beard.' Having es-
caped to 11 cav( , he again beca»»<»' a captain over
about six hundred freebooters — men who were
* in distress,' ' in debt,' and 'discontented ' — rea-

dy for any enterprise ; and the Lord, having
delivered the Philistines into his hand, he
brought uway their cattle, and again ' smote
th(?ni Avith a great slaughter.' Alter various
adventures, David, on being refused a faA'or
by Nubal, a herdsman, ' girded on his sAvord,'
and Avent out Avith his men for the purpose of
destroying him and his helpers. The oath he
BAvore to this effect is too indelicate to men-
tion. On his AA'ay, he Avas met by Abigail,
Nabal's Avife — ' a woman of a beautiful coun-
tenance.' She brought presents to DaA'id, and
entreated him to spare her husband, anri Jijg
Avrath Avas appeased. Ten days alter her re-
turn, the Lord, it is said, ' smote Nabal that he
died ; ' and Avhen David heard it, he sent and
took Abigail to Avife — Michal, his first Avife,
having been taken from him by Saul — and at
the same time he took another woman to Avife,
named Ahinoam.

"Were it not, therefore, for the intercession of
Nabal's Avife, David Avould have committed a
cru j1 outrage, simply because he Avas chur-
lishly refused a favor by Nabal.

" Dreading the enmity of Saul, David, Avith
his Avives and his six hundred adventurers,
fled to the land of the Philistines, and again
sought the ]irotection of Achish, king of
Gath. Noi desiring to dAvell in the royal
city, he prevailed upon the king to give him
' a place in some toAvn in the country.' Achish
kindly gaA'e him Ziglag ; and, while dwelling
there in safety from Saul, he violated the
rights of hospitality ; and, like a brigand,
Avith his six hundred priA-ately made incur-
sions into certain nations, even allies of his pro-
tector. ' Ho smote the land, and left neither
man, nor woman nlive ; and took aAvay the
sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the
camels, and the apparel.' When (juestioned
by Achish as to his inroads, he deceived the
king, by stating that he had been against
other people hostile to him ; and to svipjiort
the untruth, he cut off every living being
Avhom lie had taken. The text says, ' And
David saved neither man nor woman (dive, to
bring tidings to Gath, saying, lest they should
tell on us.' Such wanton and un])roA'oked
slaughter to hide deception was the extreme
of human depravity.

" He again Avent to the king and gave evi-
dence of his want of pi>irioti8m, by basely
proposing to join the Philistines Avith his
men in a Avar against his own country ; but,
being mistrusted, he Avas not permitted to go,
and he regretted his rejection.

" Upon his return to Ziglag, he found that
the Amalikiti'S, AA'hoir; he had Avantonly de-
spoiled, had, during his absence, entered anil
bunit his city, and had tak(!n his avIvcs and
all that Avere therein ca])tives ; but they ex-
hibited a greater humanity than David, for it
is said ' that they slew not any, either great ,
or small.' After beAvailing his loss, he AV(!nt
and consulted (iod through the medium of nil
' ephod,' — as a heathen Avould his oracle, and
haA'ing received divine enc uragement, he.Avith
only four hundred of his men — the other tAvo
hundred being ' faint ' — Avent out against the
Amalikites, The text says, ' And David smoto
them from tlu^ twilight evtni until the (U'cning
of the next day ; and there escaped not a man

EXETER HALL.

irs

, having
liand, he
n ' emote
r varioug

a favor
IS sword,'
arpoBe of
e oath he
! to mon-

Ahigail,
ful coun-
avid, and
, aDf" hia
,er her re-
al that he

sent and
(irst wife,
1 — and at
in to wife,

•cession of
nmitted a
vas cliur-

ivid, with
k'enturers,
md a<>ain

king of
the royal
I give him
,'.' Achish
3 dwelling
ilated the

brigand,
ado incur-
of hlspro-
ift neitlior

away the
», and the
luestioned
Huved the
n against
to svipi)ort
ing being
lays, ' And
n (dim, to
loy should
[i])rovokcd
extreme

gave evi-
by basely

with his
try; but,
[ted to go,

found that
ntonly de-
itcred and
wives and
they ex-
ivid, for it
[her great
H, ho wcmt
liuni of nil
)nicle, and
nt,he,witli
otlier two
gainst the
avid smoto
10 ((Veiling
not a man

of them, save four hundred young men, which
rode upon camels and fled.' If the Bible
be true, this bloody restitution was awarded
by the Almighty, and David was the meek
avenger !

" When Saul was dead, David was recognized
by the tribe of Jiidah as their king ; but he
soon began to intrigue for the house of Israel,
over which reigned Ish-boseth, the son of
Saul ; and he encoumged a traitorous projio-
sal made by Abner, chief general of the aniiy
of Israel. Fierce wars were prosecuted be-
tween Judali and Israel — the select peoph;
of God. Da\^d finally succeeded in being es-
tablished as ruler over both nations ; but the
means he used to accomplish this object were
most cruel and unjustitiable. At this time,
besides Miclial, his first wife, he had eix
others ; and six sons were born unto him at
Hebron. Now, liavlng obtained full dominion,
instead of giving an example of self-denial,
and making an endeavor to pnmiote ])eace and
g(K)d-wiIl among men, the text says, ' And
David took him more concubines and wives
out of Jerusalem after he was come from
Hebron.' Then, under direction of the Lord,
he continued to war, dealing blood and de-
struction to difiennit nations ; and, following
the brutal example of Joshua, he ' haughed '
or hamstrung ' all the chariot-horses ' taken
in battle, save one lumdred kept for his own
use !

" When the 'ark of God ' was 'set ii])on a
new cart and brought out of the house of
Abinadab,' David appears in a new character.
Merely girdled with a linen ephod, he danced
naked on the highway before the Lord and
all present. The linen girdle must have; been
but of gossamer texture, as his first wife, Mi-
chal, sarcastically rejiroved him for i le in-
decency in these words, ' How glorious was
the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered
himself to-day in tlie eyes of the handmaids
of his servants, as one of the vain fellows
shamelessly uncovereth liimself!' For this
deserved rei)roach,he repudiated Michal, who
had been faithful to him when he was poor
and unknown ; and afterward, upon a mere
pretense, caused two of 'ler brothers and
live of her sons by her other husband to he
IiH/iff! Bishop Kit*o, in framing an i-xciisr
. for this terrible act, says, ' It was desiral)le lor
the peace of his siumm'ssovs that the lujuse of
Saul should be exterminated!'

" When David was al)out forty years of age,
he saw a woman, who was very beautiful,
washing herself; upon in(|uiry, he found she
was the wife of Uriah, but he took her, and she
became with child. To get rid of Uriah, who
was one of his soldiers, he gave j>ri\ .'.+»(
ordere to have him plac<>d ' in the forefront of
the hottest battle'— for batth-s wcn^ then of
fre<iueut occurrence — so that Triah, , ^ingun-
eupported, was slaiu. David then took liath-
sheba, the widow, and made her another of
h'a wives.

"As David grew older, he was not content,
hut was anxious for more conqiUMt- :\nd Ik;
extended the boundaries of his empire from
Egypt to the Eiqdirates. His tri'atment of the
vanciuiehod, always terribhs was at times very
atrodouB. Having taken llabbath, the chief

city of the Ammonites, and the .rjreat spoil
it contained, the text says, ' And ho l)rought
forth the ]>eople that were therein, and i)ut
them under mtca and under hnrrowfi of iron,
and under axes of iron, and made them^M.w
through the brick-kiln, and thus did he unto
all the children of Amnion !'

" Tlie indecent scandals of his household
are recorded in the Bible ; but all through a
long life, he was a man of uncontrollable pas-
sion, his self-indulgence, even to licentiouB-
ness, being of the grossest character ; for,
when he was old and ' stricken in years,' the
shameful chro.iicle was added against him.
As he drew near his end, one would think tliat
tlien, if at any time, he would have exhibited
some redeeming q lalities — some remorse —
but the picture grows darker. In his last
charge to his son Solomon, he betrays trea-
chery and vindictiveness almost without par-
allel. Here are his words : ' Moreover, thou
knowest also what Joab, the son of Zeruiah,
did to me, and what he did to the captains of
the hosts of Israel, unto Abner, the son of Nex,
and unto Amasa, the son of J ether, whom he
slew, and shed the blootl of war in peace, and
put the blood of war uiion his girdle that was
about his loins, and in his shoes that were on
his feet. Do, therefore, according to thy wis-
dom, and let not his hoar head go down to
the grave in peace.

•' ' And behold thou liast with thee, Sliimei,
the son of Gera, a Benjamite, of Bahurim,
which cursed me vvifli a grievous curse in the
day when I went to Mahanaim ; but he came
down to meet me at Joru..r., ?ud I sware to
him by the Lord, saying, I will not put thee
to death with the sword.

" ' Now, therefore, hold him not guiltless ;
for thou art a wise man, and knowest what
thou oughtest to do unto him ; but his hoar
head bring thou down to the grave with
blood.'

" Thus Daviu passed away without one
word of forgiveness for his enemies, or even
one word of regret for his misdeeds. Over-
hung by the shadow of death, vengeance was
ui)on his lips, and his last act was the viola-
tion of his solemn oath to protect Shimei.

" Who, then, at this later neriod, could ex-
pect to be regarded as righteous by following
tlui example of such a life or of such a d«'ath?
Tim humanity of these so-called degenerate
days shudders at the idea! Who, with a
true heart, would not prefer yeai-s of iioverty
and an unknown giavti, rather than live like
David and be called ' a man after (jod's own
heart'?"

During this delivery, ^Ir. Capel was several
I times interrupted ; Mr. Baker often became
nearly outrageous. He would not permit
pt'isons weak in the faith to be contaminated
by such heri'sy ; and, to pacify him in some
degri'c, Father White ))roj)osed that all
iu'(!seiit shouh' bo recpiested to retire exce;rt
the churcli ofiicials and a few others who
c(uild bo deyiended m. After some discus-
sion, this was agreed to ; a great many went
'•.way, but a few yet liiigtu'ed, here and
there, as if their interest had boon increased.
iSo the luinisterB and otUciaU had it nearly all
to themselves. ,••;•. • i ' ■

'>'<;

134

EXETER HALL.

^^ ;v

"'••^r

" Brother," said Mr. White, in his usual mild
manner, "the character you have drawn of Da-
vid is only such as the Bible gives liim ; it is
on evidence of its impartiality ; it depicts man
with his defects as well as with his virtues.
It does not screen the offender, though it ex-
alts the penitent."

" I can not say," said Mr. Capel, " that the
recital of such defects can be profitable or
edifying ; it, on the contrary, tends to give
men false ideas of what is riglit. The inhu-
manities of profane history claim no lieavenly
sanction ; no brutalized leader could exhibit
a divine commission ; men acted under the
impulse of human passion, not as hordes
rushing out to execute the vengeance of a
deity. The actions of David, as recorded
in the books of Samuel, like other biblical
biographies, have rather a tendency to blunt
our feelings of delicacy and humanity than
to make them more sensitive. The man
who for the first time sees the dead and
dying stretched upon the battle-field is
shocked at the carnage ; but sad experience
has proved that the most humane become in-
different by the frequency of such sights.
When we read numerous accounts in the Bi-
ble that conflict with the prevailing ideas of
purity and justice, we gradually learn to ac-
cept them when we are told that the Almighty
for some special purpose, connived at oxfawr-
<5d such actions. In crae;lties continuing from
the Waldenses to the Quaker, Inquisitors
and Puritans alike have emblazoned their per-
secuting banners Avith authoritative texts."

" The Bible does not exculpate David," said
Mr. White ; " you know of Nathan's stern re-
proof. That David sincerely repented is fully
established by his Psalms."

" There are Christian men willing to ad-
mit that David committed many vile acts, but
the Bible accuses him in only one instance,
that of Uriah; it was for this that Nathan
rebuked hint. But notwithstanding, he is de-
fended in ' Holy Writ,' and the text which I
shall repeat is ample proof. But first, Solomon
and some of his people were threatened for
their idolatry ; it is said in 1st Kings, chapter
11, verse 83, ' Because they have forsaken me
and have worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess
of the Zidonians, Chemosh, the god of the
Moabitcs, and Milcom, the gml of tlie children
of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways,
to do that which is riglit in my eyes, and to
keep my statutes and my judgments, as did
David, his father."

" Here, while Solomon, the great and wise,
was threatened for his idolatry, David, his
father, was commended for his righteousness ;
and when the Lord i^romised certain favors to
a successor, it was, the text says, ' Because
David did that which was right in the eyes
of the Lord, and turned not aside from any
tiling that he commanded him all the days of
Ms life, save only in the matter of Uriah the
Hittite.' 1st Kings, chajjter 15, verse 5. Lan-
guage could not be stronger. The aj)pr<)val
of David's conduct is full and explicit, one act
alone being cpndetnncid.

'As to David's being the author of the Psalms,
oonimentators have differed. There is no cn-i-
deuce to prove who the writers were. The

137th Psalm could not have been written till
more than four hundred years after the time
of David, because it refers to tho^ ca))tivity of
the Jews in Babylon. If, liowever, sucli a
man of blood wrote the Psalms, no one could
excel him in dissimulation ; they are a hete-
rogeneous collection, wherein sentiments of
piety and self-righteousness, imprecation and
vengeance, are freely commingled ; and
tliough the Psalms have been ever lauded
with amazing obliviousness as to their de-
fects, they would form but a wretched basis
for morality at the present day." *

Mr. Baker made another effort to silence
Mr. Capel ; he said the evidence they already
had from his own lips was suflicient to brand
the late junior preacher as a ravening wolf —
an out and out defamer of the word of (Jod.
It would be sinful to listen any longer. Un-
expectedly, hoAvever, the brethren, as if desir-
ous of allowing the accused to commit him-
self to the fullest extent, consented to hear
his opinion of Paul ; for he Avho could pre-
sume to utter any thing against one fo de-
vinely inspired must be far, far on the higli-
road to spiritual infamy. Father White, like
most preachers, could be very bitter at times
against i"e\ilers 'if ,ho word ; now, he mani-
fested great {;iit: ...cc. He was troubled, and
seemed to ponder upon Avhat had been suid ;
perhaps a terrible doubt might have beeu in-
truding upon his own mind 1

CHAPTER XXVII.

Having received permission to continue his
reply, Mr. Capel, to the surprise of Mr. Baker,
grew bolder, and proceeded to give his opinion
of one who is said to be the father of the
(lentilc church — tlie thirteentli apostle, as
" born out of due time," yet Avho declared of
himself that he " was not a whit behind the
very chiefest."

" Paul, Avho was a Jri' and a Pharisee,
though by no means so iT'1.!';i.> n as David,
yet, as the reputed agent. <t le high-priest,
was undoubtedly guilty of inrr r ; for this,
we have his own acknowledgixnut. In his
speech before Agrip]ia, he said, 'And I perse-
cuted this way unto death, binding and •
delivering into prisons both inen and Avomen.'
(Acts 23 : 4 ) He Avas an accomplice at tho
murder of Stephen, (Acts 22 : 20.) for lie stood
by and kept tho clothes of those Avho stoned
him, ' consenting unto his death,' and he liad
' breathed out threatenings and slaughter
against the diKci])le8of the Ijord.'

"After his conversion, his fierce zeal Avas but
transferred ; for when he considered it neces-
sary, he could be rigorous enough, liad he the
poAver, to crush his op]K)nentH and extermi-
nate heretics. In this respect, he must liaA'e
been the exemi)lar of Calvin and others of
similar views. From the beginning, he evinced
u strong desire to Im* u ])rominent ruler in
the cbureh ; he was arrogant, had dispittfl.ti<mfl,
given ott'ense, and had many enemies'"; and
though he inculcated charity, humility, and
subniissit i to as Irreconcilable an extent as i»
followed by some religious teachers at ihs

pr<

tie

litt

th(

ant

ten

del

Juc

EXETER HALL.

186

written till
or tlio time
^ajitivity of
svor, sucli a
o one could
arc a liete-
itiments of
*cation and
rled ; and
ver lauded
') their de-
cked basis

to silence
ley already
It to brand
inff wolf—
•rd of God.
fi-er. Un-
as if desir-
inniit liim-
^d to liear
could i)ro-
ono Fo de-

tho hi^h-
^'llite, like
sr at times
, be mani-
Jbled, and
)een said ;
e bectt itt-

titinuoliia
ilr. Baker,
is opinion
>r of the
)ost]e, as
;clared of
Aimd the

Pharisee,
IS David,
ffh-ijriest,

for this,
In Ills

I i)er8e-
linff and •

women.'
"0 at the
• he stood
lo stoned
d he had
ilauH'hter

1 was but
it iieces-
id he tho
extemii-
uHt have
ithers of
evinced
ruler in
)utati()nfl,
ie»; and
ility, and
ent as ia
s at iho

present day, he was nevertheless in disposi-
tion intolerant and dictatorial, and caused no
little strife amonj? adherents of the new faith.
Anxious to make proselytes in his own way,
the means he uschI were often exceptionable ;
and it is to be feared that he had not a consis-
tent regard for truth. If Peter cursed and
denied his Master, if John was presumptuous,
if James was vindictive enoufrh to wish the
destruction of an unbelievinf;f village, and if
Judas was such a wretch — if these, chosen by
Christ, and in his very presence, were not free
from sin and offense, surely we may admit
that Paul, who was not so highly favored,
might have gravely erred himself — as priests
still do — though giving excellent admonition
to others.

" That he was ambitious of being distin-
^ished as a high-priest in Christianity, many
consider evident from the fact that his alleged
writings are said to have been the first forma-
tion of the New Testament. Foiirtecn of its
books are ascribed to him alone, the other
thirteen being the reputed production of seven
persons, four only of wliom were apostles, tho
remaining eight apostles having obtained no
literary position in the present com])ilation.
The admirers of the ' great Paul ' wish, how-
ever, to make it appear that it Avas because of
his peculiar fitness and education that he was
inspired to become the initiatory scribe ; but
such a plea is untenable, for we are infonned
that- on the day of Pentecost tho disciples
received tlie miraculous gift of tongues in
order to qualify them to ' teach all nations.'

*' The inference, therefore, is most conclusive
that Paul, no matter how well or how early
trained in the high schools of his nation, was
not as well (lualilied for a mission among the
heathen as those specially gifted and in-
structed for that purpose by a divine power,
long before his conversion. His natural pre-
sumption, which le<l him to say, ' For I speak
to you, Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the ajmstle
of the Gentiles, I magnify mine otFice,' (Horn.
11 ; 13,) is proof either of his entire ignorance
that Christ had previously made special a{>
pointments for tlie Gentiles, or that he was
determined to act quite independently, ir-
respective of the authority granted to others.
That such api)ointnK'nts were mach; and such
authority granted, I shall be able to prove
from the Scripturi's.
" Immediately before Christ ascended, he gave
his disciples promise of the gifts which they
subsequently received in a miraculous man-
ner on the day of Pent((cost, gifts wiiich en-
abled them to speak the languiigt! of every
nation ; and his intention as to how the gifts
or power should be used is apparent when we
read the text, ' But ye siuill receive power af-
ter tliatthe Holy Ghost is come upon you : and
yo shall be witnesses unto \\w botli in .lerusa-
lem, and in all Judea. and in Samaria, and itnto
the uttermost parts of the earth.' (Acts 1 : 8.)
Again he told them, ' Go ye therefore and
teach all nations.' (Matt. 28 : 1!).) And
again, ' Go ye into all the irorld, and iireacli
the Gospel to eirri/ vreatiirc.' (Mark 1(1 : lo.)
These c(mimauds are i)lain, precistt, and ]>osi-
tive ; when the disciijles were told to go into
the ' uttermost parts of the earth,' to ' all na-

tions,' and to' every creature,' no one cr.n hesi-
tate to believe that they were fully commis-
sioned to the heathen ; and it is more leasona-
ble to believe that several pers(>ns should be
re(]uired for such an extensive mission than
that one man — Paul alone — should be set apart
for that purpose. That he therefore ' usurped
authority ' must be the inevitable deduction
of every unprejudiced mind.

" Paul is first spoken of in the Acts, a book
written, it is supposed, by Luke. It is mostly
a history of him, and tradition says that he
supplied much or nearly all of the information
it contains. There is not a shadow of evidence
to substantiate the miraculous account of his
conversion ; the narrative is entirely his own,
depending altogether on his mere assertion.
He does not give the names of any who were
with him ; neither does he give place, nor
date — simply, ' as I went to Damascus.' The
story is, that about two year" after the cruci-
fixion, being on his way to persecute Chris-
tians, he suddenly saw ' a great light,' ' a
light from heaven,' not the personal api^ear-
ance of any one ; he then fell to the earth,
heard a voice, and was ordered to preach.
This miracle, he said, made him a believer ; tho
story, however, contains several discrepancies.
The first account of this occurrence, in Acts
9tli, says, that after they had seen the ' great
light', Paul fell to the earth, but the men who
were with him ' stood speechless,' hearing a
voice but seeimj no man ; the second account,
in Acts 23, Paul says, that the men heard not
the voice ; and in the third statement, Acts
2(5, he says, that when the light was seen, all
fell to the earth! One account, therefore, says,
that the men stood and heard a voice, another
that they did not hear the voice, and a third
that they did not stand, but that all fell to the
earth ! WV.'ch is tlie correct account?

" According to these different narratives,
Paul saw no person, only a ' light,' which
struck him with immediate blindness; but he
subsequently wished to leave the impression
that he had seen Jesus, for he reports him as
having said, ' Fori have appeared unto thee ;'
he made Ananias say, ' The God of our fathers
hath chosen thee that thou shouldst know his
will and see that Just One.' (Acts 32 : 14.)
When the disciples were doubtful of Paul's
conversion and afraid of him, his companion,
Barnabas, to whom he related the miracle, as-
sured tluMu that ' he had seen the Lord by tho
way, and that he had spoken to him.' (Acts
0:37.) And Paul, in addressing the Corin-
thians, said, ' Am I not an apostle? am I not
free? hav(^ i not seen Jesus Christ our Lord ?'
(I Cor. 0:1.) And again, having declared that
Christ was seen bymany after his resurrection,
he says, ' Ainl, last of all, he was .teen of me
also, as of one born, out of duo time.' (1 Cor.
15 : 8.) To say the least, the ambiguity of
these passages is very great, almost a contra-
diction.

'• By the two first accounts, we find that.at tho
time of bis miracuhms conversion, Paul receiv
(hI no message*, but was dlrectcKl to go and be in-
struct(Hl at Damascus; by the last, we are in
formed that he received his instructions and au-
thority from tlu! Lord at the very luiur of liia
conversion, and that ho proceeded on his mis-

'^m

186

EXETER HALL.

lUi'

r. .

sion forthwith*— no way afflicted with blind-
ness !

" Paul evinces a desire to be disting;ui8h-
ed. lie claimed to - be an apostle, tlioufrli
not recognized as such by the others, the num-
ber of whom was limited to twelve. By his
cvvn statement, he did not go near them im-
mediately after his reputed conversion, either
for counsel or to manifest contrition for what
lie had done as a persecutor. II«> kept away
for ' three years,' and boasted that his right to
teach was independent ; that he was not
taught by man, he liad ' conferred not with
flesh and blood,' ' neitlier,' says he, ' went I up
to Jerusalem to tliem which were apostles be-
fore me, but 1 went into Arabia and returned
again to Damascus.' ((jial.t : 17.) Indeed, he de-
clares that ho was so little known in person
either to apostles or disciples as to be 'un-
known by face unto the churches of Judea
which were in Christ.' ' But they had heard
only that he which persecuted iis in times
past now preacheth the faith which once he
destroyed.' (Gal. 1 : 23, 23.)

" It is surprising, however, to find this rela-
tion most positively contradicted in Acts U.
In that cha])ter, we are told that, after Paul
was restored to sight, he remained ' certain
days with the disciples which were at Damas-
cus.' While in that city, his zeal led him to
enter th'" synagogues ' ])rcaching Christ ' and
' confounding the Jews,' who, no doubt, were
greatly annoyed by his intrusion as well as
by his doctrine ; and. governed by a national
impulse. ' they took counsel to kill him ;' but
having heard of it, ' the disciples took him by
night, and let him down by the wall in a bas-
ket.' He then went direct to Jerusalem ' and
assayed to join himself to the disciples ; but
they were all afraid of him, and believed not
that he was a disciple,' They, it a])pears, had
only heard of him as a persecutor, and had no
authority for his conversion but his own
word. Bai 'abas, having assured the ai)ostles
that Paul was a l)eliever, that he had
' preached boldly at Damascus,' they confided
in him. ' And Iw was with them, coming in
and going out at Jerusalem. Again his in-
discreet zeal brought him into trouble ; he
' disputed against the Grecians,' and they,
most i)rol)ably incited by the Jews, ' went
about to slay him;' and the ' brethren, ' to
pav(! him a second time, ' sent him forth to
Tarsus.'

" Furthermore, in his speech before Agrippa,
Paul stated that, in obedience totho ' heavenly
visi(m,' he went 'Jirtit unto them of Damascus
and at J(>rnsalem, and throughout all the
coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles.'

" If he, therefore, './/■/•.>(«' went to Damascus
and Jerusalem after his conveiVion, how are
we to reconcile this account witli that which
declares as i)OHitively that' imnKuliately ' after
tlu? same event he went to Arabia, and did
not go to Jerusalem until three years sulise-
quently'^ Commentators have failed to pro-
duce an agreement ; such glaring iliH(!r(^pan-
cies atl'ect tlie credibility of the dillenint narra-
tives. If Paul thus contradicts himself, what
reliance can be placed upon his stutemcuts 't

* See Gal, 1 : J6, IT.

To account for these contradictions, some sup-
pose that Paul felt annoyed at his rtureption
by the apostles — at the indifler.nice of them
and of the disciples — and denied being near
them.

" Having started, however, \ipon his mission,
his constant endeavor was to impress others
with his assumed authority. IIt\ never a]ii)eal9
to any gospel or record" of the Jerusalem
church, ho never points to the true apostles,
but seems to ignore their i)rer<)gative, and
orders his OAvn epistles to be read as sufficient
for his converts. ' If any nuvn think himself
to be a pro])liet or spiritual, let him acknow-
ledge the things that I write unto you as the
conmiandments of the Lord.' (1 Cor. 14 : 37.)
' For I speak unto you. Gentiles, inasmuch as
I am the apostle of tlie Gentiles, I magnify
mine office.' (Bom. 11 : V,l) When giving
certain directions, he concludes, 'And so ordain
I in all churches.' (1 Cor. 7 : 17.) ' Where-
fore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me.'
(1 Cor. 4: IG.) ' Be ye followers of me, even
as I also am of Christ.' (1 Cor. 11:1.) ' Now,
0". concerning the collection for the saints, as
I have given order to the churches of Galatia,
even so do ye.' (1 Cor. IG : 1.) 'To wliom
ye forgive any. thing, I forgiven also ; for if 1
forgive any thing, to whom I forgive it for
your sakes, I forgive it in the person of Christ.'
(2 Cor. 2 : 10.) ' Brethren, be folloi^k-ers to-
gether of me, and mark them which walk, bo
as ye have us (me) for an example.' (Phil. 3 : 17.)
' And if any man obey not our word by this
ejiistle, note tl.at man, and have no com])any
with him, that he may be asluimed.' (3 Thes.
3 : 14.) Priestly arrogance could scarcely go
fur'^\er ! From these passages, it is idain that
his cieoire was to be consiclered eejual, or, in-
deed, more correctly, sui)erior to any one
else. No other writer in the New Testament
presumes to such an extent ; the real apostles
were comparatively modest and humble in
their assertions. The writings of Paul can
be distinguished fV'mi all others by the fre-
quent repetitions of the pronouns J, me, my,
and mine ; and the letter /, like an index-
finger, is almost continually seen in his epistles
as if pointing to the egotism and self-sufficien-
cy of the scribe.

" Paul was jealous of other teachers ; certain
disciples or jireachers having visited the Co-
rinthians, to whom he had partly devoted him-
self, he wrote, * I am jealous over you with
godly jeah)usy.' (2 Vuv. W : 2.) And, like
numy an intolerant high-church and low-
church Paid of th»^ ])resent day, he not (mly
dealt in strong imputations against these teach-
ers, but denounced tlieju as ' falsi; apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themsi^lvi'S
into the ajjostles of Christ,' (2 Cor. 11 : 13.)
without attempting any ])roof. He rinninded
the Corinthians that, as a teadxT, he ' was
not a Avhit behind the very cliiefest aix'stles.'
(2 Cor. 11 : n.) ' I say again, let no nuin think
me a fool ; if otherwistt yet as a fool receive
nu\ that I may boast myself a little.' (v. 10.)
'Are they Hebrews'? so am I. Are they
Israelites 'if bo am I. Are they tlie seed of
Abraham? so am T. An; they membiTS of
Christ '? (I speak as a fool,) I am more.' (v. 22.)
' I am become a fool in glorying ; ye have

EXETER HALL.

187

compelled me : for in nothinjy am I behind
the very chiefest apostles.' (2 Cor. 13 : Ki.)
The 11th clmpter of 2d Corintliians is almost en-
tirely taken up with his self-luudation, coiitrast-
ing and donouncinuf. The teachers who went
amonpr tlie Cretans he also condemned, as
' miruly and vain talkers anddeceivei-s, wlioae
mouths must be stopped,' and, ()uotin<r tlie
language of anotlier, he abused th<; Cretans
as being 'alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies."
(Titus 1 : 12.) Yet, after all his anxiety to
establish and control cliurches, the Corin-
thians and (jialatians almost entirely rejected
his teaching. The Cliristians at Jerusahm,
it appears, did not approve of his course in
suddenly breaking loose from the Mosaic law
to please or gain adherents, and they sent out
missionaries, with ' letters of commendation,'
to counteract his teaching. (2 Cor. 'i : 1.) It
was against such that Faul was so very
bitter.

"As a preacher, he was obtrusive, given to
contention, and vindictive. Ho repeatedly
entered synagogues at Damascus, Jerusalem,
and other i)l!ices, disputing with Jews and
Gentiles, giving oflense, engendering strife,
and causing such ill-will as often to place his
own life in jeopardy ; when forced to leave,
or when obstinately confronted, instead of an
act of conciliation, lie would give some harsh
rebuke, or defiantly shake the dust off' his feet
against them. (ActsDi : 51.) Of those who spokt;
'slanderously' against him, he said, their
'damnation was just.' (Rom. 3 : 8.) He
contended witli Barnabas, his fellow-laborer,
and sciparated from him. (Acts 15 : 39.) Ac-
cording to his account, Peter, his senior in the
church, was bhiniable, and he ' withstood
him to the face.' (Gal. 2 : 11.) His intoler-
ance against those whom he called ' unlje-
liovers ' or ' false teachers ' proves tluvt,
though ho changed his religicm, his dogmatic
spirit was as tierce as ever : he said, ' If any
man lov-e not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him
be anathema niaranatha.' (1 Cor. 10 : 22.) ' If
any man preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have rec(>ived, let him be ac-
cursed.' (Gal. 1 : 9.) Unbeliiivers were to be
' punished with everlasting destruction from
the prcsenci! of the Lord.' (2 Thcs. 1 : 9.)
' And for tins cause God sliall send them
strong delusion that they should Ixdicve a li(\
that they all might be damned who believe
not the truth.' (2 Thes. 3:11, 12.) 'Alex-
ander the coppersmith did nu: much evil, the
Lord rewanl him according to his works,'
(2 Tim. 4 : 1-1.) These denunciations are in
direct opi)osition to the admonition of Christ,
which said, ' bless and curse not.' Paul said
to his hearers, ' He ye foUoweis of Die,' and in
this dictatorial mood too many of the i)rieots
have trodden in his very foot.stc'pa — even to
the present day.

" i)et(!rmiiu>d to gain pr<i8elytes, he was plia-
ble and inconsistent ; he says, ' Unto tln^
Jew 1 became as a Jew, that I might gain tlui
Jews.' ' To tlicni tliat iwo without the law, as
without the law.' ' To the weak became I .,s
weak, that I might gain the weak ; I am
made all things to all men,' (I Cor. 9 ; 20: 21.)
To ])leas(^ some, lie professed to dislielieve in
the utility of the Mosaic law, and declared that

' bj the deeds of the law, there shall no fleiSi be
justified.' (liom. 3 : 20.) ' Behold I, Paul, say
unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ
shall i)rofity(m nothing.' (Gal. 5 : 2.) Yet we
shall see that on a certain occasion ho agreed
to dissemble, and make it appear that he ' walk-
ed orch^rly ' and ' kept the law.' After having
spent some time among strangers, he revisited
Jerusalem and told the brethren of his great
success among the Gentiles. The brethren,
who gained many converts among the Jews by
adhering to the law. incorporating it with their
Cliristianity, said to him, ' Thou seest, brother
how many thousands of Jews there are which
believe ; and they are all zealous of the law.'
' And they are informed of thee that thou
teachest all the Jews which are among the
Gentiles to forsake Moses' sayings, that they
ought not to circumcise tlieir children.'
' What is it therefore V The multitude must
needs come together ; for they will hear that
tliou art come.' Here was a difficulty ;tlie Chris-
tian Jews were suit to learn that Paul, who
taught a violation of the lawto gain the Gentiles,
had come among them, and the teachers at Jeru-
salem anticipated trouble. What was to be
done ? Could there bt; no compromise ? No !
nothing but an open act of deception was sug-
gested to preserve the peace ! It was to be
tlonethis way — ' Do, therefore, this that we say
to thee. We have four men which have a vow
on them. Them take, and purify thyself with
them, and be at charges withtlumi ( tl'at is, to
]>ay his propcn-tion of the ceremonial expenses,)
that they moy shave their heads, and all may
know that those things whereof they were in-
fonned concerning thee are nothing ; but that
thou thyself also walkest orderly and keepest
the law.' The deceyjtion was to be carried so
far as not only to try and make Paul appear
a'? a conscientious upholder of the law, but that
the Gentihs among whom ho had been were
also observers of it ; ' only keeping themselvea
from things offc.'red to idols, and from blood.'

" Then Paul took the men, and the next
day, purifying himself with them, entered into
the temple to signify the accomplishment of
the days of purification, until that an offering
should be made for every one of them.' By
this act, he therefore betrayed a total disregard
for principle or truth. As to the culpability
of the other teachers, we can not say, for the
account was derived from himself; but he wp.s
not reliable, and he might have wished to
make otluu-s appear as temporizing us he was
himself. Tlu* deception, however, was of no
avail ; the Jewish Christians had been too well
informed of his constant violation of the law,
and before the end of the seven days — the time
reijuired for the cereuKmy of purification — ' the
Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him
in the temple, stirred up all the people and
laid hands on him.' The history of this dis-
cre<litable conduct can be read in Acts 21 :
IT-I'O. On other occasions, he also gave proof
of his insincerity by a formal compliance with
the Mosaic law. lie had his head shorn, ' for
he had a vow ' (Acts 18 : 18 ;) he desired to
have Timotheus accompany him on a mission,
and to make him acceptable to the Jews, he
with his own hands actually circuiucised that
disciple. (Acta l(j : 3.)

';''>3'^

i§.

138

EXETER HALL.

}

i*'*^.

" His idea of the social state was absurd ;
his bias was strong against marriage. Though
we iind liini at one time saying, ' Marriage is
honorable in all,' (Heb. 13 : 4,) yet he repeat-
edly insinuates against it. ' P'or I (Paul) would
tliat nil men were even as I myself ' (unmarried.)
(1 Cor. 7:7.) 'I say, therefore, to the un-
married and widows, it is good for them if
they abide even as I.' (1 Cor. 7:8.) ' Art
thou loosed from a wife? seelc not a wife.'
(1 Cor. 8 : 27.) On this question, he displays
further inconsistency by saying that a widow
was ' at liberty to be married to whom she
will.' (v. 39.) Yet he declares to Timothy
that ' younger widows,' ' when they have be-
gun to wax wanton against Christ, they will
marry, having damnation because they have
cast off tlieir first faith.' (1 Tim. 5 : 11, 12.)
Such reasoning is totally indefensible.

" lie was In favor of caste. ' I^et every man
abide in the same calling wherein he was
called.' (1 Cor. 7 : 20.) This is an unwise
check to all commendable ambition. He
was in favor of servile obedience to tlie ' higher
powers,' asserting tha^, ' the powers that be are
ordained of (Jod,' concerning whicli nothing
can be more false ; all experience goes to estab-
lish the utter rottenness of such a i)rojX)sition.
The acceptance of such a sentiment would be
the degradation of liberty. Despots might
rule ' by the grace of God,' and men submit to
every usurper ! No wonder that the first
seven verses of the thirteenth chapter of Ro-
mans have ever been texts and letters of gold
to secular and ecclesiastical tyrants.

" Woman, too, he would keep in ancient
slavish submission ; in this respect, he adhered
to Jewish ideas. ' Let your women keep
silence in the churches ; for it is not permitted
unto them to ^peak, but tliey are commanded
to be under obedience.' ' And if they will
learn any thing, let them ask their husbands
at home ; for it is a shame for women to speak
in the church.' (1 Cor. 14 : 34, 35.) ' Lot the
women learn in silence with all subjection.'
'But I suffer not a woman to ttuich nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in
silence.' (1 Tim. 2 : 10, 11.) These clerical
dicta were based on what he wishes the
ladies to accept as sufficiently profound
reasons. ' For Adam was first fonued, th»>n
Eve.' ' And Adam was not deceived, but the
woman, being deceived, was in the transgres-
sion.' (!) Yet to make up for her disepialifica-
tion and inferiority, he adds a word of comfort
in another direction. ' Notwithstanding, she
shall be saved in child-bearing, if they con-
tinue in faith, and charitv, and holiness, and
sobriety.' (1 Tim. 2 : 13, 14, 15.) The connec-
tion, however, is somewhat bewildering.

" In trivial matters, too, he presumes to gov-
ern women, and issues very frivolous com-
mands as to how they shf)nld even dress and
wear their hair ; she should appear in ' UiodoHt
apparel, not "'ith broidered hair, or gold, or
IM'arlfl, or cosily array.' (1 Tim. 2 : i),) She
should have ' long hair,' but should not ])ray
with her head ' uncovered.' He said, ' But
every woman that prayeth or pro])hesietli
with her head uncov(?re(l dishonoreth her
liead ; for that is even all one as if she wen;
shaven.' ' For if the woman be not covered,

let her also be shorn ; but if it be a shame for
a Avoman to be shorn or shaven, let lier bo
covered.' ' Judge in yourselves, is it comely
that a woman pray unto God uncovered?'
(1 Cor. 11 : 5, «, 13.)

" Man, however, being in his opinion her
superior, Avas more privileged. ' For a man
indeed ought not to cover his liead, forasmuch
as he is the image and glory of (Jod ; but the
woman is the glory of the man.' ' For the
man is not of the woman ; but the woman of
the man.' ' Neither was the man created for the
woman ; but the woman for the ma' ,' ' For
this cause ought the woman to have power
on her head because of the angels.' (1 Cor.
11 : 7, 8, 9, 10.) This verse has comidetely
defied the ability of commentators. What
she was to gain by the ' power on her head
because of the angels ' is perhaps wisely in-
explicable ; and like the meaning of many
other texts will be made known when it can
be understood.

" Doth not even nature itself teach you that
if a man have long hair it is a shame unto
him'i" 'But if a woman have longhair, it
is a glory to her ; for her haii is given her
for a covering.' (!) (1 Cor. 10 : 14, 15.)

" A popular author may impose a silly tale
on the public, and it will be read with de-
light ; while a far superior one from an im-
known writer may not get a single notice
of approval. Doctors of divinity, ministerial
sages, profound theologians — all of tlu-m emi-
nent scholars, burdened with the lore of
distinguished universities, will gravely read
these priestly absurdities of Paul, and — must
it be believed V actually try to eclipse each
other by writing enigmatical comments upon
them !

" Though the women of our times, the most
resolute church members. sei>ni not to have
yet recognized the dcmiineering spirit which
dictated such commands ; and tliough women
are the most active agents to i)roniote their
circulation, yet as to these mandates, none —
positively none — will obey them. They are a
dead letter to all ; but as part of the ' sacred
word ' are still included in ' holy writ,'
and disseminated for spiritual edification !
And were a Paul or an A polios to preacl
them again among us, our mothers, and sis-
ters, and wives would spurn the idea of being
degraded to the social condition of the women
of the Bible.

" Like other ecstatics, Paul professed to
have received communications in dreams and
visions ; he even went in a tran<H' as liir as the
' third heaven ;' and to impress all with the
fullness of his ])ower, undertook to i)erform
miracles, but the evidence of this gift de-
])ends upon his own rejiort to Luke. He was
'crafty' and was, as has been shown, willing
to ])ractii'e 'guile' to gain converts; even
were a falsehood necessary for such a purpose,
he could excuse himself, and say, 'For if the
truth of (lod hath more aboun(ied through
?»// He unto his glory, why yet am 1 judgeil
as" a sinner V (Horn. 3 : 7.) H<^ was high-
minded and ])resumptuous, and said he wnB
' not a whit b<'hln<l tlie vary chiefest ;' he witf
luimble, 'less than the h'ast of all paints.'
He was vindictive , and could curse his en»

EXETER HALL.

189

mies ; he ottld assume a different character,
and say, Bless them whicli persecute you ;
bless and curse not.' (Rom. 12 : 14.) lie
could say, ' For there is no respect of persons
with God.' (Rom. 3 : 11.) Yet in his ninth
chapter to the Romans is to be found the main
])rop of predestination. ' Therefore hath he
mercy on whom he will have mercy, and
whom he will he hardeneth.' ' Hath not
the potter power over the clay of the same
lump to make one vessel unto honor and
another unto dishonor?' (Rom. 9:18,21.)
He wrote to the Hebrews that, ' it was im-
possible for God to lie.' (Heb. 6 : 18.) To tlie
Thessalonians, he declared that (:ilod could
delude others to believe a lie. (3 Thes. 3:11.)

" In many respects, as we have just seen, his
precepts were contradictory and his con-
duct inconsistent and prevarica' Mifj:. It would
take me too long to recount other instances
in which he appears to disadvantage. I would
not, therefore, consider Paul a safe guide in
morals ; and in my opinion, neither David nor
Paul was as well qualified to teach mankind
as were many of the ancient philosophers anc'
moralists who never e*'en heard of Moses or of
Christ."

There was a pautie, Mr. Baker looked as fierce
as an angry inipiisitor ; the Ijrethren were as
tonished at the boldness of Mr. Capel ; yet his
calm declamation, if it did not con\ince,*it per-
plexed ; and before any could reply, he con-
tinued, " I have a few words more to say, and,
if not trespassing too far, would like to make
a fuller confession of my reasons for leaying
the faith, which you must perceive I have al-
ready left. To be plain, I do not consider the
Bible the inspired ' word of God.' I have la-
bored in vain for some time to discover who
were its authors, where written, in what lan-
guage, and at what time ; none can tell, all
is speculaticm. Though immense expense
has been incurred in the circulation of that
book and to disseminate its doctrines, yet
Christianity has failed to attract mankind ; its
adherents are but a small minority compared
with the whole. I do not believe that God will
punish the great majority for their ignorance
or unbelief. I never could heartily believe
that a benevolent Being, who made man so
fallible, would inflict un eternity of torture
upon him for nni/ offense. 'J'lie wrath of man
may exist a,'minst his fellow for a time, even
for long, long years ; but, as a general
rule, if no counteracting influences are-
thrustui)on him, nature will interfere, and the
plea which he oft refused to hear will at last
bring pity and forgiveness ; I ask, can God be
less than man in this sublime virtue ?

" I have been asked, where we could find mo-
rality or civilization without Christianity ? how
it could be replaced '! Man in every clime
gets his morality with his humanity — the
source of bis love, and his joy, and liis hope ;
l)ut these good impulses have been too often
cj)ntrolled and misdirected, Viy superstition.
The religion of the Bible never yet clung to
humanity with fidelity. The human mind con-
tains within itself the germs of goodness, which
will generally increase with intellectual
growth ! Morality and noble virtues were as
iuUy developed among tl " ancient Greeks and

Romans as they ever have been since. Cliris.
tianity is not progressive ; for centuries it kept
in its formal track ; it did nothing to advance
cotemporaneous civilization ; where it could
nt;t re press the spirit of progressive innovation,
it tardily followed, and then — as it still does
— it unblushingly arrogated the victory. *

"In London and in Rome, in Turkc^yand in
Japan, on the Ganges and on the Nile, creeds
are widely different ; yet priests of every be-
lief alike denuvnd, ' How can you replace re-
ligion T I answer, by the diffusion of greater
knowledge, and the establishment of less in-
equality among mankind. Crime exists ; it
is mostly the result of want or from the
dread of it. Reduce distress, and let there
be more rational information, and you in-
crease human happiness ; tills can be done.
The blessed task will remain for a more perfect
and paternal form of government than man
Ikis at present; but it can never be accom-
plished by any form of religion.

" Man must be led to advance in morality,
first out of a regard for the principle itself, next
for the a]>probation of his kind ; and to avoid
the inevitable consequences of a violation of
that principle which are sure to follow in this
world, not because of the dread of future
punishment ' beyond the grave.'
" My friends, I feel that the pursuit of truth is
to me most painful. To some it is but the
work of a moment to bend to conviction, and
reject errors as soon as they are discovered ;
with mo it is different, I yield reluctantly,
but yield I must. I have read that Bible at my
mother's knee when I was a child, and heard
with pleasure the story of Joseph and his
brethren, of Samson's power and Solomon's
wisdom. I read of th'^se in the fuU belief that
all was true, that there could be no trace of
error among the then luminous ])ages of that
book ; with what regret have I discovered the
mistake! I must soon return to my native
land, but I can not pass the old church to
where my mother often led me, where I wor-
shiped as a child, without a pang, to think
that I can worship there no more. The Sab
bath bell may reach my ear like the soimd of
some olden melody, but its influence will be
gone forever. And when I visit that mother's
grave in the quiet of evening, I can not again
read the text upon her tomb as the word of
ins|)iration. None can tell how deeply I feel
these things ; it is hard to exclude the pleas-
ing illusions of the i)ast, but truth is worthy
of every sacrifice, and in making this public
acknowledgment I give my first oftering."

" Your regrets are very poetical, and, if re-
port is true, you are to have your reward, the
price of your apostasy. Well, well, friends,"
cried Mr. Baker, " such a blasphemous tirade
against God's blessed apostle I never before
heard ! I am even now surprised that I could sit
and listen to it so long. It is a miracle that
the Almiglity did not hurl a special shaft of
his vengeance against him that uttered, as
well as against us that could allow his temple
to be desecrated by such dreadful profanity !
It is over, I hope ; and God's mercy to U8
is great ! As for tliat man, lot him go hia

♦ Soo Kote n.

■ W

i"'

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140

EXETER HALL.

i i '

' ,M

T If"- ■

:«s .

downward road ; ■•.ve will not curse him, but
bis bUxid be upon bis own bead !'"

" I do not know to wluit reward you al-
lude," said Mr. Capel, " but I well know
wbat I am to expect from tbe cburcb for my
recreancy. I can not expect any more indul-
ffenco tban bas been granted to otbers wbo
bavo been forced to submit to conviction. I
have bidden nothing from you ; I have taken
the unpopular side ; it can not be from any
sinister motive. As there is a charge against
my character, I wish to bear it ; 1 desire to
know of what act of immorality I have been
guilty ; I ask what is to be tbe reward of my
ui)ostasy '!"

There was some whispering among the
brethren. Mr. Baker was very pressing with
one brother to get up and speak ; it was Wes-
ley Jacobs, the local preacher, and he seemed
reluctant to comply with the urgency of the
Buperiutemlent, wbo now looked as if in no very
gracious mood. Old Father White sat aside
by himself, and he viewed tbe young man, tbe
late junior preacher, with an ex])ression of pity.

" 1 hope no person will hesitate to accuse
me of what I am thought guilty ; I am here
to answer, and I again ask. What has been
my immorality, and what is to be my re-
ward?"

Mr. Baker sprang up quite irritated, and
almost shouted, " You have been seen drunk
with a ])opisli priest in a tavern — that's the
immorality ; and the reward you expect for
your shameful desertion of the faith is an al-
liance with the daughter of that arch-fiend,
Martin Mannors !"

These words, uttered quickly by the angry
preacher, took almost all present by surprise ;
tbe cat was let out of the bag; a burning
blush mounted to Mr. Capel's cheek ; and the
ancient si)inster, who had pertinaciously re-
maiu(!d, gave a little scream ; but whether it
was caused by the abrupt accusation, or from
a fright occasioned by the presence of a fierce-
looking man, who rushed from a back seat close
to her side, is not certain. The man at once
raised his rough fist, and cried out loud
enough to be heard over the whole place,
" That's another hypocritical lie — it is !" This
imexpected interruption caused great confu-
Bion. Some of the brethren were for laying
hands on tbe intruder ; but when they found
be was not a maudlin wanderer, they \n-ii-
deutly refrained. Mr. Baker, however, vio-
lently demanded that constables should be
Bent for. " This is the second time that that
man bas been sent here to disturb a religious
meeting. I say, let him be arrested."

" That's another of your lies, it in. lla! ha!
you call this a religious meeting ! The last
time 1 was here it was a bedlam, and now it's
a shabby police-court — ^^just that. Stand off
my man," said Kobert to one of tbe brethren
who was ajjproaching him, " stand off"; if you
come any closer, I'll — yes, I will ! so keep oft'."

The brethren, rightly judging that be would
be perhaps as good as bis word, were afraid
that a very discreditable scene might be
enacted in the bouse of Ood. Mr. Capel very
fortunately interfered ; he called the man
aside, and prevailed upon him to leave the
place. Kobert, Avho had a ^reat regard for ISIr.

Capel, was, like others, anxious to hear wbat
charges were to be brought against him ; he
was indignant when he heard Mr. Mannors
spok(ui of so disresjiectfully. When be left
the church, at Mr. Capel's bidding, ho was
very much inclined to believe that Mr. Baker
and many of the saints at Ilampstead were
occasionally influenced by a si)iritual poten-
tate to whom no good Christian would dare
to ofl'er up a prayer.

Order being in a manner restored, brother
Wesley Jacobs, tbe local ])reacher, after sc^me
pressing, said that, having heard that one or
two members of his class were in tbe habit of
visiting tbe Ked hion tavern for the jmri)oso
of hearing religious discussions, as well as to
read skeptical books, against which he had
often cautioned, he went thcr3 one evening,
and, to his 8ur[)rise, among others, saw Mr.
Capel sitting at a table with a stranger who
did nf)t appear to be in bis sober senses.
Ui)on inquiry, he found that the stranger was
a Catholic priest. There was a bottle on tbe
table, and each had a tumbler before him
which he believed contained intoxicating
liquor. He might have been mistaken, but
be thought that Mr. Capel acted rather
strangely — unlike his ordinary way. " In-
deed," said Mr. Jacobs, assuming to be rather
scrupulous, " I'm sure I can not say whether
be was — " " Oh ! it's no matter — 'tis quite
sufficient," struck in Mr. Baker. " Friends,
you see that brother Jacobs is over-cautious ;
but he bas told us enough — or rather he has
l)rivjitely told me enough. Just think of find-
ing a preacher of the Gospel sitting in a low
tavern, side by side! with a popish priest,
and not, as I have discovered, one of the most
abstemious ! To make a companion of an or-
dained agent of the man of sin, even if he
were as sober as Father Mathew, would be
bad enough ; but to be on intimate terms with
one whose propensities are notorious, what is
the inference ?"

" This, then, I am to understand as my act
of innnorality. Well, I was present at the
time and place mentioned by Mr. Jacobs ; and,
vMiTQ it of any avail to bring witnesses here,
I c(nild prove that neither 1 nor tbe gentle-
man mentioned was in any worse state tban
I am at present ; but where charity is want-
ing, evidence will have little effect. 1 had
been out in tbe country all that day with tbe
Rev. Mr M(;G linn, and accepted bis invitation
to take dinner, on our return, at the Red
I Aon ; when there, we partook of nothing
stronger than ale. If this act is sufficient to
justify tbe charge, then 1 am guilty. As a
matter of duty to myself and to others, 1 have
attended h(>re in obedience to your sunimons.
I shall not reply to the off'ensive liberty taken
as to my motives for disbelief. If Mr. Baker
can conscientiously sustain the ccmrse he baa
pursued toward nu' and others, then I can not
exjM'ct strict justice before his tribunal. 1 shall
make no appeal against any decision he may
recommend, but will now retire."

Just as he got outside the door, Father
Whlt(!, wbo followed him, seized his hand,
and, with tears in his eyes, said, " Well,
brother, you, I suppose;, leave us forever ; I
can not thiidc that you are >villful in opposing

EXETER HALL.

141

an ancient creed ; you believe 3'ou are rifjlit,
I am sure you do." ' lie kept his eyes fixed' on
the ground, and was silent for a moment, as
if troubled, by some rebellious thoujjlit, and
then, almopt in a whisper, added, " You may
bo right, liut it is too lute for mo now to tliiidc
of these things ! For long years I liave mad(!
religion my staff, my hope, and my light. I
may linger here a few more wlntcrH, but I can
not, at the eleventh ho\ir, giv(i up tlie lamp I
have held so long ; and tliougli its light nuiy
appear feeble to you, I must now bear it with
me to the grave."

Among the records made at the quarterly
meeting that evening, there was one to show
that Henry Capel, late junior i)rpach(>r on the
Hampstead circuit, was expelled from the
membership of the Wesleyau Metliodist
Church for " Immorality," and this was at-
tested by the rough, cramped signature of
" James Baker, Chairman."

CHAPTER XXVIIT.

The autumn had passed away, and the fee-
ble ray of an evening sunliglit in November
rested upon the window near Avhicli Mary
Manners was sitting. She had been engaged
for some time making alterations in a dr(>ss,
and the heavy folds of crape whicli were
added gave no token of returning cheerfulness.
There was no formal or conventional " put-
ting on" of that which she did not feel ; lier
deep black raiment truly indicated the grief
which was around her own lieart.

As the light grew less, she ceased her work,
and looked up at tiie fold, gray sky, and at
tho shadows whicli were stretching over the
distant hills, and over the bare, brown fields,
and bending down as if to rest and n^niain
over tlio dim city. It was fiom this very win-
dow tluvt, some montlrs befon, her mother
was awed by the appearance of tlie shining
cross ; and now, aa Mary looked in the direc-
tion of St. Paul's, slui could just distinguish
the same ol)ject, faintly briglitcned by the
waning sunset.

Alas ! what a reverie that glimpse brought
her ! iJvery pluise of her mother's mind,
every illusion, every event, culminating
in insanity and in death — a grave in Hamp-
stead cemetery, and a prison asylum, per-
haps for life ! Slie looked care-worn and i^alc,
as if the trials of years had been crowded
into months. The course of her life had
been almost completely altered ; she had new
duties to peiform, which slu! undertook cheer-
fully ; she could be reconciled to the sad be-
reavement ami affliction, but the scandal which
had been uttered against her father, and the
uncharitable insinuations of the pharisaical
grieved ln'r sorely. Her mother had been
for some time in a private a.sylum ; in her case,
alas ! there was no room for hope ; the best
advice in London liad l)een ol)taiued, but no
skill could induce any improvement.

\V(dl, among other passing thoughts — al-
ternate vistas of the memory, dark aijd b>-ight
— it was jiossible, or rather probable, that she
should think of Mr. Capel, ho who had beeu

with them for so many month*?. Ah me ! for
how many pleasant days— whose stay had
been so agreeable; who had been so like a
brother ; and whose good, kind, gencsrous
disposition liad so won the esteem of those
who knew him beat. She did think of liim ;
she was aware of his change of opinion, of
his expulsion, and of the discreditable at-
temjits made to injure his reputation and af-
fect his prospects for life. She knew of these,
and, could he learn tho great depth of her
sympathy for him, how clieerfally he would
have borne every reproach, and braved every
enmity to live and gain her favor. But
there was anotlier reason why her thoughts
now reverted to him — she was even troubled —
he was soon going to return to Ireland, to
leave them, peidiaps, forever. He had too much
spirit to remain any longer like a depen-
dent upon her father, more particularly as the
l)usy tongues of Mr. Baker and some of the
brethren had attributed his change of faith
as well as his protracted stay at Harajjstead
cottage to a certain motive. For this reason
he had left the residence of Mr. Manners, and
since his almost ex-parte trial had been stay-
ing witli his friend, Father McGlinn ; under
such peculiar circumstances, it would not,
therefore, be prudent to press him to remain
at Hampstead.

Mary might not have been told all this, but
she suspected sometliing of the kind and she
appreciated his delicate consideration. She
believed he was poor ; she knew he had no
profession, trade, or occupation — perhaps no
well-to-do relatives willing to aid him ; and,
in ima^-^i nation, shfe followed him from place to
place in is waudermgs for a position of some
kind ; she knew how soon an evil word would
bear against him. The Wntchman, the Metho-
dist organ, had already given its wanting to
the faithful ; she knew he would have the K'jorn
and rebuke of the godly and the suspici(m of
the formalist. She fancied him buffetid
about by misfortune — poor, and friendless,
and hopeless — until at last he sunk in despair,
menting the fate of a thousand others. She
then wondered, as she often did before, why
she should be so troubled about a comnarati/e
stranger; she shrank from the tho':^lit of
making him one, she could not look upon
him as such ; she, as yet, scarcely understood
her own feelings toward him, though they
were a fresh cause of anxiety ; ytit, such as
they were, she felt a kind of pleasure in their
indulgence; and now she sat considering how
slie could be of benefit to him, how she, poor
thing! unskilled in the rough matters of life,
could advanc<! his future prospects ; she did
not want to see him borne out inio the great
contending crowd, and })ass away forevtT.

By what means could she introduce the
subject to her father '1 What a relief it would
be could she speak her mind to him fully and
freely as in other matters, and tell him of her
fears, and of the mountain of pious prejudice
that would lie in the wanderer's way. How
could she enlist him to act in behalf of that
young man ? But alas! she could not frame
the most simple speech for her father's ear ; she
could find ready words for any one else, for the
greatest stranger, but not for Henry Capel—

^!**.

I 4"

142

EXETER HALL.

:;!

^..

■why not for liim? To find a proper answer
for her own plain query caused her great em-
barrassnu'iit.

Mr. Mannors might liave thouglit of the
future prospects of his young friend, and most
probably did. IJo was ono of thost^ who nat-
urally anticipated the wants of others, and
tried to provide for them ; he was among the
least selfish of the earth.

lie perhaps knew that Mr. Capel had no re-
sources, and he might have laid some plan for
his advantage ; but any thing he did, or inten-
ded to do, in this respect, lie kept entirely to
himself. Though his allliction was heavy,
and though the tongue of scandal was busy,
yet his old cheerful manner remained ; and
he tried to lighten the burden of others, hid-
ing the care which was so weighty to himself.
As for Mary, no daughter could have been
more dutiful or aftectionate ; his first desire
was to promote her happiness, and, as she was
all now to him, he was determined to do every
thing in his power to make her future as
bright and as free from the bleak shadows of
advi^rsity as possible.

Mr. Mannors had the faculty of judging cha-
racter almost at a glance. In an incjuiry, he
fixed his mild gray eye upon you, and if there
was any wavering from strict integrity, if
there was any lurking deceit, he knew it at
once. It would be very difficult for one who
■was a pretender to escape detection at his
hands. Now, Mr. Capel had been as one of
his family for several months, and from the
first hour that he entered the cottage, Mr.
Mannors was impressed in his favor as being
worthy of all confidence ; and, day after day,
as the character and disposition of the young
preacher became more developed, fco much the
more was that confidence in him established.
Indeed, it was one of Mrs. !Mannors's peculiar
enjoyments to hear her husband commend a
minister of the Gospel as he did Mr. Capel ;
and every one in Hampstead cottage seemed
to anticiiiate with pleasure his return from
the circuit. Such' regard did not escape the
observation of Mr. Mannors ; and he rightly
judged that one so gentle and confiding, yet
so discriminating as his daughter, could not
be less appreciative. He was a close obser-
ver, and for some time he noticed symptoms,
the least of which, he thouglit, indicated that
deep down in poor Mary's heart there was a
feeling which she tried to hide even from liei--
Belf and from all others ; but of this he was
determined to be more fully assured.

" Well, Mary," said Mr. Mannors, entering
the dusky room, " so we are going to lose Mr.
Cupel ; 1 have just come in to say that he will
call here to-morrow to bid ua adieu. How
sorry I am for this ! I was very much pleased
witli his society, and few indeed will miss
him as I shall. He tells me that he is going
at once to Ireland. I question much if he
"well knows what he is going there for ; how-
ever, it seems best to him, and though Ave
may never see him again, I shall always
remember him as deserving of my highest re-
gard. I am sure we shall all regret his de])ar-
turo. I had hopes that the pleasing acquaint-
ance we had formed would have continued for
yeurs ; what a pity that our intimacy should

be so short ! Thus it is, Pop ; they will leavo
us ono by one ; one to-day and anothur to-
morrow, and you and I arc to bo left alone."

How fortunate it was for her that the dim
light prevented her father from observing the
sudden pallor that blanched her cheek and
brow ! She could have fallen, but made a
powerful effort to cling to the chair ; as for
words, she could find no utterance — the eff'orl
to articulate seemed to choke her. What
would she not have then given to be
alone ?

" How cold your forehead is, child ; and so
are your cheeks." He passed his hand tender-
ly over lier face and head, and she shrunk back
at the touch. " Why, you almost tremble !
Mary, you must, T fear, be ill."

She could just reply, "Indeed, pa, I feel
quite well, only perhaps a little chilly. Don't
you find the room very cold V" and she moved
away from the ojx-'n door.

" No, not particularly so ; not forme, at least.
You have been too much confined lately ; after
this, we must walk or drive out oftener. Since
Mr. Capel left the house, you have been out
very seldom. I have, I fear, been too negli-
gent ; but I will take you again over some of
his favorite drives ; it will renew him in our
memory — at least it will in mine — when ho is
lar away, poor fellow !"

That sad heart was again fluttering, beat-
ing, bounding, but it would not do for Mary
to be silent ; ol> ! what a struggle to appear
calm ; her mute anguish could have been elo-
quent in tears, but she dare not weep, she
must now speak. " He leaves to-morrow, then,
does he, pa V" said slu', trying to assume a tone
of indifference. " Well, I'm sure we shall all
bo very sorry. He may not be back again, you
think V"

" No, I don't suppose he ever expects to re-
turn ; he has no tie here ; save our sympathy,
he can have no inducement to remain. The
^Methodists are now his bitter enemies, and
you know the slander of the godly is the most
defamatory. He may, perhaps, think of going
to America or to Australia, to any place where
he may not be known as an apostate preacher.
Wliat a shame that he should be driven, for
conscience' sake, like an Ishmael, away from
home and friends ; but alas I he has no home,
and where are his friends V

" Neither home nor friends ! that is very
sad, i»a," said she, with tremulous voice. She
could hardly control her feelings; she would
have gladly rushed into her father's arms, and
have wept and pleaded for the dear friend
who was about to be cast out upon the world ;
but that dreadful, unnatural restraint kept
her back, that «ucontrollable influence which
would now make her appear so different from
what she really was ; she still sat like a statue,
merely repeating the bleak monosyllables.
" No home nor friends !"

" Well, child, he is still young, and. though
going out alone upon the stormy sea of life,
like a bark into a tempest, he may yet reach
some favored port, and find those who may
learn to esteem liim. I have no doubt of his
success ; it will be gratifying to hoar of this.
We shall see him to-morrow, and learn more
of lu8 intentions." And Mr. Mannors, having

EXETER HALL.

148

some business to transact, kissed liis daiigliter's
forehead, and bid hc^r Kood-uipflit.

Wlien ho entered liia own room, he i)aced it
backward and forward lor some time, in deep
tliougflit ; he tlieu sat at liis desk and drew
from it a parclimeut, wliich he carefully read
over; afterward he wrote two or three lonjf
letters, and thisn retired.

Poor Mary, left alone, sat for hours at the
window, watchinj? the (flimuier of distant
lights and looking up at the great black
night-clouds, moving slowly over the leafless
trees. 8he listened to every sound, as if an-
ticipating some farewell step [)assing through
the garden; and then, with her face almost
touching the glass, slio peered out into the
darkness, like one watching for a bright star
to cheer the rayless night. Like her fatluT,
she delighted in thinking and suggesting for
the good of others; but now she was unable
to shape any idea for the benelit of him she
was so anxious to serve ; and, totally failing
in this, she, pi rhaps ibr the first time in her
life, began to think of her own future.

The cruel morning came at last ; a cold,
drizzling rain had set in for some time, and the
melancholy season imparted deeper gloom to
everything in and around Hampstead. The
old clock in the churcli tower struck the hours,
and the sound reached the ear like a distant
wail — not like tbe full, clear, ringing tone it
often gave in happier days. The trees in the
small park stood up like a long row of silent
mourners awaiting a great funeral, and au
air of sadness seemed to pervade all. Even
the very children who ventured to rush out
into the splashy, guttered highways were
discouraged from i)lay by the chill, dreary
sky, and' ran back again to the more cheerful
fireside,

Mr. Mannors awaited bis expected friend ;
he sat in the parlor looking over the morning
paper, and Mary, with pale face and beating
heart, went briskly from room to room, bust-
ling about as if she had scarcely a minute to sit
and think of any thing in particular. Haunali,
who had been for some time on the look-out
for the visitor, was rather surprised at her
unasual diligence ; and as Mary occasionally
passed her father, he would raise his eyes from
the paper, and look thoughtfully after her, as if
in doubt of his own penetration.

About eleven o'clock a carriage drove up
to tlie gate ; a small trunk was fastened be-
hind, and two persons alighted. Robert, who
was in waiting, warmly shook Mr. Capel's
proffered hand, and bowed to the Rev. Mr.
Mc(Jlinn, as he followed his friend toward
the house. Mr. Mannors received them both
at the door ; and Mary quickly left the room,
in the hope of being able to get a moment or
two to compose hers 'If, and to try and wear
a look tlic very opposite of what slic felt.

" Well, my friend," said Mr. McGlinn, "you
Bee I have brought the truant back again.
I suppose," said he, looking archly at Mr. Ca-
pel, " that he would have been inclined to take
French leave, if I had not kept my eye on him.
I know he hates leave-taking, and for some
reason, he, 1 ♦hink, particularly disliked to
pay such a pro forma visit here. You see
nothing will do liim but 'go back,' as the

Irish say, to the ' ould sod,' and show his lov-
ing countrymen thoSan Benito which Father
Baker, one of the VVesloyan poj)e8, has thrown
ujMjn his shoulders. Faith, such an invest-
ment has the sanction of my church, any
how ; the good ould Ciiristian way of decora-
tion, so as a heretic might look a little more
decent on his highroad to tlie — well, 1 won't
say what in polite company. 'Twaa a bles*
ing in disguise, 1 suppose ; ha, ha I much good
Uiiiy it do you, Harry, any way 1"

" Indeed," said Mr. Capel, " I could never
thiuiv of leaving England without calling here
to acknowledge my obligations to one of the
kindest friends I ever met. I can truly say
that the period of my stay at Hampstead has
been one of the most agreeable of my life — one
that 1 shall forever remember, with pleasure."

" Now c'-m't say any thing about obligOr
tions," said Mr. Mannors, " or you will make
me your debtor. Mary," said he, as his daugli-
ter entered the room, " here is Mr. Capel, ac-
tually come to bid us farewell. I am sorry,
very sorry for this ; I wish we could keep him
longer, for it may be some time before we all
meet again."

Mr. Capel's cheek was flushed as ho looked
at Mary ; he was surprised at the change ; ho
had not seen her for several days, and now he
perceived a f ad alteration.

She was dressed in deep black ; there was
an expression of care upon her pale face
which he had never noticed before. The de-
lightful vivacity of her nature had given
way, and traces of subdued grief were still
apparent in her sweet submission. iShe sat
near him on the sola, and while her father and
the kind priest held a conversation, she ven-
tured to tell Mr. Capel that she hoped he
would enjoy himself in Ireland ; she supposed
he had friends there whom he was anxious to
meet after so long a separation.

"If you mean relatives. Miss Mannors, I
really can not say whether I shall liud any
now willing to acknowledge me. I know of
none who wish my return ; they are, any that
I know of, strict chujch members. I am un-
der a ban. I would like to see my native city ;
but I never shall forget Hampstead and the
few friends I leave behind."

She would have liked to hint that there
might be other friends. Some particular one,
perluips, whose attractive power could hurry
him away even from his good friend the
priest, but she could not trust herself with
words. There was no way in which she could
venture to conununicate any of the thoughts
which disturbed her, or nuike herself under-
stood. The embarrassment in this respect
was mutual ; and after talking, as it were, in
a circle for some time upon indifferent mat-
ters — as remote as possible from the subject
nearest the heart — there was an unpleas-
ant pause, and either would have given a
world to be able to make the least revelation
or to obtain one word of encouragement. But
the gold(m moments flew by ; though each at
the time considered them as moments of des-
tiny, they were allowed to pass without im-
provement, and inexorable fate seemed to
liave fl.\ed au eternal seal upon their separa-
tion.

'4i

-' (

!■

, \

[,M^

144

EXETER HALL.

^^^

"Time is nearly up, Harry." said Fatlior
M'Glinu — ho (iCtcn used tliiy familiarity, and
calk'd liini Ilnrry — " tini« is nearly up; tlie
Cork imckct wtartH at six ; wo have yet to drive
to the eify. and to call upon Tom, Dick, an<l
Harry ; and, even if wo spend but half an liour
with'onch, it will jrive me little enough time
afterwaril to exorcise you and give you the
benefit of my jioor bloHsinff. Friend Baker,
you know," said he, turnin<; to Mr. Mannors,
"says tliiit Harry is possesHed. Ha! ha!"

"Possessed of more charity, no doubt," said
Mr. Mannors. " Well, lie L'aves Hampstea«l,
and we all regret it; don't we, Poj)? But
lu' leaves the limited round ho lately traveled
for that far nuire extensive circuit — the wide
world. I trust he will henceforth preach
the common brotherhood of all nations, and
the groat gospel of humanity."

" Fail h, that is the real true gospel — you
have me with you there ! It is the one I best
understand ; it re(i aires no learnea commen-
tators to make it i>lain. There are no sects in
humanity, no mercenary jMety, nor heartless
intpiisitors. It is the great creed for all man-
kind ! Wiiat a change that gospel will bring !
Do not look 8iiri)rised ; Harry knows that I am
in a ptrait, but I am not the only ecclesiastic
that is prei>arod to stand uncovered before the
altar of reason. Yes. I am in a singular po-
sition ; but I will soon have my liberty. The
dawn is coming, an<l wo shall soon bo suf-
priscd at the mu'iitudes who will move out
into the simlig! . ; thousands who now tim-
idly hide within the shadow of superstition
long to si'e that day. When that pure gospel
shall have been preached, we will have moral-
ity without creeds, reform without cruelty,
national amity without threats ; the priest,
and the soldier, and the executioner must dis-
appear witli other concomitants of Christian
civilizr.iion. You must," said he, addressing
Mr. Capol, " go on and not be easily discour-
aged. He who attempts to reform an abuse
must expect calumny. If you attack an anti-
quated imposition, you are sure to be waylaid
by the prejudiced and interested. They who
love truth — not they who live godly — must
suffor persecution. Take courage, and let
your light shine, for even now there is a
growing principle that will uphold the right."

Mr. Slannors then handed him a small
package whicli he said contained one or two
letters of introduction to old friends in Ireland,
and a few words of advice from himself, which
h(! was to read upon his arrival in that coun-
try.

The parting glass of wine was then taken,
and tears ruslied into the eyes of Mr. Mannors
as ho took his friend's haiid to assure him of
his unaltoraljlo friendship. Father Tom had
t) cough and strut smartly about to hide his
emotion ; and Mr. Capol, as he looked out
upon the ganlen- walks, and around the fami-
liar walls, and then upon Mary's i)ale face, it
might bo, he tliought, for the last time, felt
his heart almost give way, and he had to hur-
ry out of the house somewhat abruptly to es
capo an utter breaking down.

In the hall stcwd Robert and the good Han-
nah, holding her apron to her eyes ; and
Flounce sat thoughtfully by her side, perhaps

thinking of his young n who but a

short time before had loft them forovor.

All assembled to bid Mr. Cai)el a kind farc^
well ; even the old clock, near the door, ap-
jM-'ared in waiting like an aiuiont retainer, its
pendulum swinging to and fro, as if waving
adieu to passing time.

When Mr. Capol and Father Tom left the
hospitable liome of Mr. Mannors and drove
away in the dreary mist, i)oor Mary hurried
up to her window and watched ttio receding
carriage. Oh ! liow eagerly sIh; followed it ;
and as it grew loss and less in thi! distance,
she strained her eyes to still ki-ep it in vi(!W ;
and when at last it was buried in tlu! Novem-
ber gloom, she threw herself ou her couch and
burst into tears.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Rev. DocTOn Bustku sat alone in his
study ; ho had been reading the morning pa-
per, and had just laid it asicU'. Snow tiakos
were falling and melting in the muddy streets ;
and as the weather was not sntiiciently
tonjpting to induce him to leave the cheerful
fireplace, either for study or privat*! prayer, he
made amends by refilling a long clay pipe,
and then, elevating his fecit, on the sides of the
grate, leaned back in his easy-chair, puflbd
away leisurely, and seemed for a time only in-
tent upon wo 'ung the ascent of the little
whirli'ug clo A' smoke which 1 e blew out

in long gri s toward the chininey. He

looked very i..oughtful ; now srvveying the
grotesque forms into which liis fancy shaped
the glowing coals, now glancing at th«i array
of authors quietly ranged around on the
loaded book-shelves, as if awaiting his com-
mand to jump down in defense of the faith ;
once or twice he paused to listen to passing
footsteps, and then resumed his cogitations.

Was he thinking of his next sermon 1
Pshaw! that was not in his lino ; he had, like
other distinguished divines, a jnle of the most
select and orthodox discourses laid away, suffi-
cient to last for a lifetime, should he require
them. Indeed, his mind was not j ust then alto-
gether bent on heavenly matters ; generally,
there was a large proportion of the earthly in-
gredient mixed up with his contemplations;
but at the present moment things terrestrial
were entirely running through his brain, and
things spiritual were perha})S judiciously laid
aside for a more convenient season.

The most notable and exemplary Christian
ministers have occasionally to descend to
worldly affairs ; human ])asaif)ns or emotions
may not have been sufficiently subdued. Sec-
ular contamination has, alas! too often dis-
tracted the attention of many a siint, and the
reverend doctor, like others of the "sacred
calling," was often forced to turn his consid-
eration exclusively to the weak, lioggarly ek>-
mt;nts of the world, and to become harassed
and agitated by the i)erishable things of time
and sense. His religion never yet came to the
rescue; as a frail man, he gr«fw more frail,
until vileness was a chaructoristic ; he could
never learn to love an enemy, or oven to lor
give one ; and dreadful thoughts of hatred.

EXETER HALL.

145

motions
Si'C-
;('n <li3-
and the
''sacred

coiisid-
irly ele-
lanvssed

of time
to the
re friiil,
lo could
1 to for-

hatred.

revenge, and blood nltprnately ovcrwliehued
and controlled his inipulscH.

Miauto after minute pnHsed ; at times, lie
would mutter and frovvn (hirkly, as he yazed
at the red bars — he msver Hinih^d when he was
alono — and lu! would turn frequently and look
out as if exasperated at tlie dinaj^reeahle
weather, whieh i>erhap8 helped to detain him
within that dull houfo.

After a time he got up, and, having
knocked the ashes from his i)ipe, went and
unlocked a small cupboard, took out a decan-
ter of branily, and, huvin^r nearly half-filled a
tumbler, drank it off at once, without reduc-
injf its i)rimo strcnprth with any admixture of
pure wat(T. lb* then commenced to ])ace the
room, and wouhl often stop at the window to
look down the 8lop])y street, as if anxious to
see some one appnach, or as if expecting a
visitor.

"Curse the brat! it is now nearly eleven,"
said he, pulling out his nuissive gold watch ;
" does he intend to keep me here all day ? he
must have got my note." And again the doc-
tor looked up and down the street, growing at
the same time more and more impatient.

A tap was now heard at a private door
which led from the study into' a small yard
connecting with a back lano or alley. The
doctor gently lifted a corner of the blind of
the window which looked mit into this place,
and cautiously peered IVuni behind it. In a
moment he unbolted the door, and Mrs. Pink-
ley, well mutlled up, entered.

"Ah Fanny! is it youV" and he actually
hurried to hug the hidden form. " I did not
expect you until evening. Any news V" said
he, rubbing his hands together briskly, and
drawing a chair for her toward the fire.

" Why, you've been away so long, doctor,
I thouglit I'd drop in as soon as I could, when
I heerd you was buck. We've been busy at
the Home lately, and as 1 had a chance, I
thought I'd run in. My ! but it's a nast}' day,"
said the lady, deliberately shaking her cloak,
and placing it on the back of her chair.

"My visitation was much longc^r than I
expected ; I always have so numy grumbling
])a3tor3 to satisfy, so much petty jealousy to
get rid of. Confound them, tliey are the most
hard to please ; and then there are so many
disputes among congregations, that one's time
is greatly taken up. Any way, I wanted to
be out of the city for a while, though one or
two weeks are not long passing. But tell mo,
what's the news? I've been expecting Bross
all the morning. I sent him a line last eve-
ning to drop in to-day on his way to the office.
I'm better i)]eased to see you any way ; Fanny
— draw closer to the fire."

" Oh ! them clerks, you know, doctor, haven't
always their own time at command. In fact,
neither have I, juit now; but, any way, I
thought I'd call and tell you about the chil-
dren."

" I'm satisfied enough about them, as long
as they are under your charge ; they are well
enough, I sup^iose — you'll see to that, Fannj' ;
but what of their good mother? the same
old story, I expect."

"Weil, just about the same," Said Mrs.
Pinkley, with a careless air.

" Ay. 'twill be so to the end of the chapter,
and I wish it were ended long ago ; what a
curse she is, to be sure !" And tlie vennm that
glistt'ned under his bushy eyelu-ow, as lie
glanced meaningly at his crmipanion, brought
the least smile to tlie surface of the n;d face
of the amiabhi Mrs. Pinkhfy.

" Things may soon come right," said she,
giving a little cough. " Dr. Marks is very kind
to her sonndiow — very kind ; but yet — ■ "

" But yet — the devil!" said the doctor, now
rising and stamping angrily upon the hearth.
" I told him more than a dozen times I want-
ed no mild work with her ; what is nhv good
for? wlmt is her vile lifein me? lie knows
what I want well enough. Does the foul
expect me to commit myself to pen, ink, and
pap(!r? You must see to this, Fanny — you
must help me. If Dr. Marks wishes to make
his patronized Home, his famous Mkuoii de
tSante, more popular at my expense, he will
find his mistake. I was a fool to send her
there ; we might have managed better, far bet-
ter here, ourselves. If he can't serve me, oth-
ers will. I'll see to this."

" Patience, doctor," said Mrs. Pinkley,
with the mildest voice possible. " Things,
you know, can't be done in a hurry, even
there. Dr. Marks will never do what you
want — never. Take care how you approach
him on a matter of life and death ! The Home
is popular, and he intends to keep it so. You
and I understand each other ; then have noth-
ing to say to Dr. Marks about tJiat. I have a
great charge ; he trusts me with many of his
patients, and I can not be too cautious for a
while. Whom can /trust in that place ? I can
catch staring eyes and listening ears in every
corner ; better take time ; better, far better,
have her under Marks than where you would
send her. There are few inq-uests held over
his dead ; no suspicion, no detectives on the
hunt, no line and cry in the papers ; he n .v.-
ages all that. Come, what do you say V"

The doctor's face grew livid ; there was
stmiething in the imperturbable manner of
the wonuvn that fairly awed him, savage as
he even then was. He looked. steadily at the
fir(i for a few moments without opening his
lips. Then, laying his hand afVcctinnately
upon the lady's shoulder, he said: " Y'es, bet-
ter take time ; you're right, Fanny, you're
right. I am too rash ; I will leaver tliis busi-
ness to you ; but when I think of what I have
suffered by that wretch, I only wish that we
had another Laud, and another Star-Cluimber.
— Well, tell me* what of that Hampstead ruf-
fian ; have you heard any thing ?"

"Only there's been such a precious row
among the Methodist saints ; brother Baker,
one of your kind friends, has exconmiuuicated
brother Capel, and Mrs. Manncu-s's household
chaplain has left for parts unknown — some
say for Ireland."

"Ha! ha! ha!" The doctor gave a loud
sardonic laugh, and again rubbed his hands
with positive delight. " The infernal hypo-
crites ! I did hear some time ago that Capel,
an Irish apostle, was imported for the special
purpose of converting that fiend. Convert
him; good God! To send a smooth-faced
milk-sop to convert Manners I He'd make

'* R
. 11

•[

146

EXETER HALL.

1 ' i , ;«

lis .|

perverts of a dozen such emjity fools, of
course, with the assistance of his virtuous
daugliter." There was a scowl on the doc-
tor's face whenever it was turned toward
Ilampstead.

" You've heerd, I suppose, about his v.d
wife ; u ^-nit the ravinpf irothodist s^ant/?
T.honi revivals are a help to Dr. I»lnrks."

"Oh! yes," said the doctor, cliuckling;
" the meek Martin knows something of bed-
lam now as well as his neighbors ; ha ! ha !
TLoy tell me that that Jezebel he keeps in
the house with him only wore a religious
mask, like other Methodists, to effect her pur-
poses. Hannah, I think they call her, pro-
iesb^ed to be one of the church militant, and
her simple mistress was enraptured with her
for a time, until she found out which way the
wind blew ; no wonder she had her brain
turned. But tell me, Fanny," said he, sud-
denly recollecting and looking at her intent-
ly, "how can the Methodist revivals help
l3r. Marks ; how, tell me '?" He seemed anxious
for a rei)ly.

She was silent a moment or two, as if pon-
dering thoughtfully upon her answer ; she
then slowly bent over and whispered some-
thing in his ear.

As if stnng by ; \ adder, he sprang from
his chaiv and stared wildly and savagely at
the Avoman before him. But she never quailed
like the poor creature he had so often abused ;
she n^turned his gaze as calmly as if some
pleasing notion were then passing through
her brain.

" God of heaven !" exc'taimed he at last ;
"is it possible 'i!" He- coaid only then utter
these i)a9t ionate words.

" Jui.4 as I te'l you ; slie is there, she is with
us at the Home, as comfortable as heart could
wish." And Mrs, Pinkley's little smile was
again making its appearance, as if she had
communicated the most agreeable informa-
tion.

" H' avens and earth ! the fellow must be
mad — ravij^.g mad," roared the doctor, in a
perfect fury. " Gracious Saviour ! — well, may
the eternal — "

" Oh ! (ie, fie 1" quickly interrupted Mrs. Pink-
Icy, and laying her hand upon his shoulder,
" Don't swear, doctor, don't swear, even in my
presence ; 'lisn't worth your while ; tut, tut, 'tis
but a trifle." And she met his angry eye with
the most provoking amiability.

" Let me go, woman, let me go," said he, step-
ping back, pale and wild with rage. " Did
you come here only to bring me this damned
information? Did you come here to bid mo
curse you, and liim, and evi'ry body ? Did
you come lo huriy me on faster and faster to
misery? Ilave I not been harassed enough
with that livin ' devil which you will keep
alive ? Are you m league with that fool, that
imbecile, that kiiavo, to say that you can re-
main with him after he has almost betrayed
mo by accepting as a patient the very wife
of my greatest and most dangerous enemy,
Martin Manners ? Just think of his demented
Methodist wife raving her unmeaning pvay ts
alongside of mine ; just think of tlie same
treacherous, incorrigible inlidel walking in
and out of that place daily, and then uiukiug

his grand discovery. Did you come liere, like
a Job's comforter, to tell mo of this ?"

She did not even then condescend a reply ;
slie seemed like a physiologist in a study
over some inferior animal ; she watched the
expression of his face and eye, and then
glanced at his nervous, twitching fingers, as if
she expected to see him suddenly grasp some-
thing and tear it to pieces.

" I came hero partly for that purpase, and
if I didn't tell you, how could you find it out,
eh? You might go in and out there every
hour of the day and be none the wiser. If I
did not stay with Dr. Marks, either as a day
or night attendant, he might be inclined to
fancy your good wife quite restored, and
within less than a month she miglit walk
out, sensible of her own wrongs and armed
with the law. How would that please you,
doctor ?" said she, still studying every
rough ftiature. " You are a great man in tlie
pulpit ; you have great infiuenco in the
General Assembly ; but, lame ! what a simile-
ton I have foun'l you — a perfect child in some
things— a great big buzzing fiy, that Mould
be entanglec^ in many a skillful web if I did
not put in my finger and take you out."
When saying this, she gently placed her fore-
finger within the angle of the wall, as if in
the act of rescuing a veritable blue-bottle.

" This," continued she " has been so for
years ; you overrate your influence with many.
Dr. Marks won't be caught ; he won't leave
himself in your power, or in mine, or in the
power of any body else. As you desired it, he
allows me to fittend upon your wife ; of course,
I make my daily report, and he believes she
is a little crazy — just a little only — so little,
that she would be out, yes, out, before now if it
hadn't been for — now, who do you think?
And you would curse me for serving you this
way, would you ?"

The cool, collected Mrs. Pinkley moved back
and surveyed him with a feeling akin to scorn,
as he kejjt demurely near the window, frown-
ing out at the massive black clouds away in
the distance.

" Do you think," she again eaid, " that Dr.
Marks would refuse patients merely to pier :<e
your whim? Ho wants money as well at
others, and he couldn't aflbrd it. There may
be fifty patients in together, and not one know
.the other; and fifty different fatbers, or mo-
thers, or husbands may call to visit, and not
find out that their next door neighbor was
there under treatment, I have been there now
for some time, and as yet don't hardly know
who's who ; I have tried to find out secrets in
that place, but, sharp as I think I am, 1 often get
completely foiled ; I told you there were eyes
and «iar8 all around."

" Then how did you learn that Mrs. Man-
ners was one of the ornaments of the institu
tion ; yon did not know her before ; perhaps
you are so fortunate as to have control of the re-
ligious dei)artment ; perhaps Marks has great
faith in your prayers?" said Doctor Buster sar-
castically.

" I knew that she was there, because I saw
her liusband call c^n more than one occasion,
and I soon found out his errand."

" Then ho found out you ; no doubt Jio

EXETER HALL.

14T

ere, like

!V replj' ;
a study
jlied the
id then
era, as if
sp some-

lose, and
d it out,
re every
or. If I
a3 a day
jlined to
red, and
lit walk
d armed
jase you,
rr every
an in tlie
in the
a simide-
l in some
at would
J if I did

roVL out."

her fore-
, as if in

lOttlo.

[»n so for
ith many,
on't leave
or in the
irt'd it, he
of course,
ieves she
-so little,
) now if it
u think *(
', you this

t)ved back
to scorn,

w, frown-
away in

' that Dr.

to plef;'e
well a»

lero may
one know
rs, or nio-

, and not

ibor Avas
there now
dly know

s(!crcts in
often get
were eye«

Mrs. Man-
16 institu
; perhaps
of the re-
has great
Jueter sar-

■luso I saw
occasion,

doubt J»o

quickly ascertained the full vain" of your in-
dispensable services, in case his wife should
want consolation," sharply retorted the doc-
tor.

" There again you're mistaken ; he Jias
never laid eyes on me since I managed to
bring you and him together at Tottenham
Court road ; you don't forget that I put you
in possession of his letter to your wife V

" I remember."

" Well, it's a wonder you do. I am not so
simple as to let him recognize me since that.
I liave watched his coming, and kept clear of
him. What if you were in my place? Good
Lord! what a moss you'd make of it. I'll
take care of Martin Maunors. You imluced
me to enter Dr. Marks's service ; if I hsave, so
will your wife. Then you may go, for you
will be undone."

It is said that certain powerful and raven-
ous beasts have often been controlled by weak
and insigaiticant animals. Tlie lion may
entertain a partiality for a poodle dog, antl
indulge its gambols, and ho may sutler his
flowing mane to bo pulled and tugged at
with impunity. Whatever t\w nature of Mrs.
Pinkley's influence over the doctor might be,
it was evident that she, as th 3 wealver vessel,
had almost absolute rule ; he submitted to her
when it might be dangerous in a measure for
any one else to api)ioach him ; and when his
temper at times grew savage, ehe had only to
speak, or rebuke, or threaten in her own way,
and he became an docile as a child.

" Fanny," said the doctor now, in his bland
est manner, " I sometimes think I'm mad ; I
must be nearly so to speak to you as I have.
But I was startled by what you told me — it
was 80 unexpected, so cursedly provoking ;
but it is no fault of yours, I see that. It is
unfortunate that Marks took sucli a patient ;
wo miist, however, make the b^•^ of it; but
you must stay there now, you must b(? for the
future as her shadow. It js obvious that I
can not visit that place, it might be fatal to
our plan ; but Manners will go, and so will
his daughter; you must now catch every
word, see every motion — watch him, watch her,
watch every body."

" Now you are more reasonubl(%" said the
lady, in a complimentary tone ; " I knew that
wo should have a little storm, that you would
bluster awhile, it was only bluster alter all.
It is now over, and we must look at the busi-
ness quietly and ousid.r what is biv-it t;) be
done." They were again seated before the
fire— -Mrs. Pinkley as if pertectly at hort ,e, and
the doctor was tamed down to the stan-
dard or quality of a rational being.

" Fanny, I know how diH'ply I am indebted
to you, I can never forget that. I know how
faithfully you have servc^l me in times i)ast ;
I know what you have risked for me, and how
I«)werle8s I might often have been without
your ready aid ; and hear me. Fan," said ho,
drawing closer to her, " I know my proiin^e to
you, I remember it well, and, by heavens!
just as soon as I am at liberty— ay, the very
day I am made a widower, that promise shall
be renewed and carried out in due time."

Whether it wastht? gentle ,)ath— guntle, of
course, on such au c>cciiaio!i — that the doctor

then swore, or the unnatural tenderness that
seemed to wander iibout his hard features,
like a lost sunbeam in a desert, t'lat made the
amiable Mrs. Pinkley blush a deeper pink,
she did really blush ; it came to that, and
then bashfully as it were raising her hand to
shade her eyes from his ogre-like glances, she
looked modestly down at the hearth, as if
overcome by a very peculiar emotion.

" Well, doctor," said she, with eyes still bent
down ind emphasizing her words, " I did
want to hear that promise again, I di<l. I
...ometimes have been foolish enou;?h to think
that you might forget me for some favored
one of the rich, proud, pious ladies that
swarm around you. I have made sacrifices
for you ; for your sake I got rid of Pinkley
and became a widow ; for you I have re-
mained so, and am willing to wait. Ay,"
said she, lowering her voice almost to a whis-
per, and regarding him with singular interest,
" you know what I have done and am still
willing to do to join our fate. Yes, I wanted
that promise renewed. I wanted your most
sacreil word — even your -oath, your solemn
oath."

" You shall have my word, or my oath,
or any thing else you desire. Have I not
trusted all to you, and put myself m your
power, as you have placed yourself in mine 'I
Can you doubt ? Our interests are one — not
my interest alone, but my inclination is to-
ward you. Never think of the brainless bu^
tertlies that flutter around your gospel lumi-
naries. I kno\v their value, the full value of
such very pious ladies, and I know yours.
You have ability, Fan ; tact, shrewdness, cau-
tion, courage — true courage ; that's the (juali-
ty! never think again of those moths. 1 tell
you I have promised, and will perform. I must
do so ; I can not do without you. You are my
legal adviser, Fan ; my faithful pilot in every
storm, but I am still in bonds ; when, when
shall I be free V"

" That's an important qu(>stion to answer ; it
won't do to be in too great a hurry. I am, I
know I am, more anxious than you, but I am
more cautious. Oh ! how 1 \v ish this alt'air
was over ! Pinkley's was bad enough ; will this
be worse V There are some imps in the H<jfH0
that I must get rid of. I have spoken to
Marks about a change, and have given him ,
some plausible reasons. I think he is willing ;
we have already engaged a new keeper, and
if I can only get a few other total strangers in
place of some of our present inquisitive atten-
dants, I shall, I think, be able to avoid all sus-
piciim."

" That's the point. Fan ; beware of tliat
rock !"

" Your wife is cautious with me ; I made up
a story to explain about how that letter from
Manners lyot into your hands, still she is cau-
tious. Sue has, I am sure, one confident ; that
I will get rid of, and then — "

There was a i)auso. What a terrible reve-
lation might have been made by the full, free
completion of the sentence. Even an un-
wonted gravity settled upon the doctor's face-
not in dread of the commission of actual crime,
but of the terrible dtitection which, inspiN' of
all, might possibly follow. lie thought of this,

:Ji'

pi!

W '

148

EXETER HALL.

fi'

' 4

?.«' J-

¥f^'i

for ho know tlie determination of her who had
just spoken.

"But tell me, doctor," she continued, "we
are now, I may say, talking practically ; sup-
posing every thing all over as you could de-
sire ; you say that you would not stay here
very long aft i r ward ; so far, so good. But wliat
are your ir ans? You have got through a
lot of hard cash, sure enough. You are al-
ways complaining of a want of money. All
I have saved ip about one hundred and fifty or
sixty pounds — a great deal to me, but, good-
ne.ss! only a mere tritlc to you. Now, what
are your means ? Then there's the children,
think of that."

" Now, you are the simpleton. Whj', did
you for a moment think that I have been for-
getting the main point ? Not I ; I never forget
that. You know I lost heavily by that stock
I purchased, but that will be soon made up.
I have already got a full score of your pious
butterflies at work for me. I can always de-
pend upon them. They believe I have rol)bed
myself to give to the poor ; let them think so.
Of course, I have bad to throw away a good
deal that way for appearance' sake. I have,
however, told my silken saints this time, in
plain English, that I wanted no presents —
neither gilt-edged books, nor shining plate,
nor baubles of any kind ; that cash, hard casli,
was necessary for certain pious purposes ; and
already there have been a number of tea-
me(.'ting3, and bazaars and fairs are still in
progress — every tiling in full blast. I have
managed to start a nice little rivalry, and
cash iciU come in this time."

The fair Mrs.Pinkley seemed very much in-
tenisted in these details, and her reverend
gallant rose greatly in her estimation ; she ad-
mired him in the character of such a deluder,

" Then I can get Wilkins, the banker, one
of our church, to discount a note for any
amount. I have managed to be clear on his
books for some time, and I can arrange to
take a cool thousand there ; I will see about
that to-day, and, when I am gone, the Rev.
Andrew Campbell, my indorser, can aft'ord to
lose it. He has, to my knowledge, nearly
double that amount to his credit ; and he may
thank mt; for his present good position. I in-
tend to make him grateful."

" Well, doctor," said the lady, in the prettiest
manner she coul;l assume, " I always heerd
among our cliurch members that you were
good at finance, as you call it ; popular minis-
ters — indeed, preachers of all kinds — have the
real knack of getting money — raising tlie
wind, as they say— filthy lucre ! he ! he ! he 1"

" That's not all. Fan," said the doctor, flat-
tered by her approval ; " see here ! this is a
subscription-list for ihe erection of a n(!w
church near Ilighgate ; just look ! one, two,
three of them down for a thousand jjounds
each, and five others for five liundred a i)lece.
Now, the contract is not to be let until five
thousand of this sum is placed in my hands.
Yea, in mine, as treasurer for the trustees."
Anci his fist closed tiglitly at the pleasant idea.

" Now, if I eliould be, say, so unfortunate as
to lose the money, or have it stolen — a thing,
you know, of common occurrence — and if you
should happen to find it — a thing etinally pos-

sible — I can, of course, lament the loss ; but,
bless your heart, it won't be felt. What's a
thousand or ten thousand to some of them ?
Put on a litile pressure, and they will come
down again ; but we need not wait for the re-
sult. Will that answer. Fan Y' said he, gent-
ly laying his hand in hers.

Good Mrs. Pinkley counted over the strong-
names on the list which the doctor had taken
from a small drawer ; and, having after a lit-
tle thne succeeded in adding up the three for
a thousand and the five for five hundred, she
clutched the paper as if she then and there
had hold of the princely amount wliich the doc-
tor partly predicted she might be so lucky as
to stumble over out of the sum total.

" That will do," said she, highly delighted ;
" that will be the very thinnf. Prime ! excel-
lent ! if it's only managed well. Let that be
your part — mine, I fear, will not be so easy.
Then there's the children — we may have
trouble with them ; there will be trouble any
way with that boy, he'll be as stiff and as
positive as ever his mother was. You must
look after him in time; he has strange no-
tions.')

" The children will be a nuisance — well, a
difficulty," said he, correcting himself ; "but
we may be able to make some arrangement ;
there's time enough, however, for that. Frank
is getting positive, is he ? he shall never be
like his mother, if I can help it. I'd rather
see him dead and in his grave first. I'll reg-
ulate him, don't be afraid of that. How glad
I am now that you called. Fan — you do manage
things so well. Yet, one more, just one more
cautious act, and you know the rest ; one
more, and I sl^all fulfill that promise."

Just then a smart rap was heard at the
street door. " This is Bross," said the doctor.
" I shall hear something now about Manners."
And then, having promised to call and see hei
and the children as soon as possible, he ten-
derly pressed hei; hand as she retired by the
private entrance. Quickly arranging his hair
by running it back through his fingern, ho
then approached the door, and, wearing his
most benevolent t\nd sanctimonious cxi)res
sion, he meekly smiled as he received his ex
pected visitor.

CHAPTER XXX.

Mr. Tno>r.\s Buoss was the young gentle-
man with extc^nsivo shirt-collar, who called
at llampstead Cottage to deliver a letttu", and
who, at tlui time, hai)pened to overhear Mrs.
Mannors, under the inthuMice of her hallucina-
ti(m, reproach her husband for his unfaithful-
ness ; and tliis incident he, as a moral man
and good Christian, immediately construiil
into its worst sense, and, with slight additions,
retailed it in his (>wn way wheie he thought
the story would be most acceptable.

Mr. Bross was a junior clerk in the office of
Vizard & Coke, Gray's Inn; in his own
estimation, rather clever, but his fellow-
students considered l»im a parasite, a syco-
phant, any thing to ingratiate liiniself with
his employers, or with any <me else wuom ho
fancied had iufluenco. lie was a strict Prcft-

loss ; but,
What's a
of them ?
will como
for the re-
L he, geut-

;he strong-
had taken
it'tcr a lit-
3 three for
idred, she
and there
^\i the doc-
lucky as
1.

ielighted ;
ne! excel-
et that be
e so easy,
nay have
ouble any
iff and as
You must
;range no-

e — well, a
lelf; "but
ngement ;
it. Frank

never be
I'd rather
I'll reg-
no w glad
lo manage
; one more

rest ; one
e."

rd at the
ho doctor.
Vlannors.' '
nd see hci

', he ten-

d by tho
g his Iniir
ingers, ho

aring his
IS exprt'S
3d his ex

g gentle-
ho called
ettiU", and
lear Mrs.
lalluriniv
nl'aitht'iil-
oral man
construed
addition;^,
J thought

of lice of
lis own
s fellow-
a syco-
ishU" with
wuoni ho
rict Pre»-

EXETER HALL.

149

byterian, a member of the Rev. Andrew
Campbell's c' urch, and he distributed tracts
after breakfast on Sundays until church time.

He had a class in the Sabbath-school, and
was particularly obsequious to the lady teach-
ers, who found an agreeable pastime in co-
operating with such prepossessing young gen-
tlemen for the illumination of younger Chris-
tians.

The ladies of the congregation he, of course,
knew esteemed Doctor Buster very highly;
he liad heard them speak of his great talents
and exalted character, and Mr. Bross was not
slow to insinuate himself into the good graces
of the moderator ; and tho ' doctor found in
the very moral young man a very convenient
tool or agent.

It was tho low, stumpy form of Mr. Bross
that entered the study of Doctor Buster after
Mrs. Pinkley's retreat ; he was greeted by the
genial smile of that distinguished pillar of
the church.

" Ah ! my very dear young friend, I am
most happy to see you ; I was beginning to
fear that you had not received my note. I
trust I have not put you to much inconve-
nience by requesting you to call so early to-
day ; I like to see all my friends when I return
to the city."

Mr. Bross leered with his prominent eyes at
tho doctor ; ho was delighted at the complai-
sance of tho great man before him, and
paused a moment in grateful admiration ere
he could find a reply.

" Not the least, doctor, not the least ; there
could be no inconvenience. O my ! not at
all, sir — 'tis such a privilege to be here ; I
would have called sooner, but it so happened
that just as I was about to leave the office
last evening, your very respected friend Man-
ners walktid in, and I thought I could make
my visit more interesting by waiting a little
longer."

" lie did, indeed ! how very opportune ! pray
bo seat(Kl, my dear friend. Ah ! pardon me,
how is your excellent mother? You see,"
said the doctor, ])iously raising his eyes, " what
we sometimes might only consider a fortu-
nate occurrence is often, in reality, an act of
Providence — tho mysterious hand guiding our
destinies, the luminous finger ])()inting out
tho hidden danger, tho vast iateUigence gra-
ciously counteracting evil desiirns. Ah ! my
friend, this has been my ex])erii'nce ; I can
not be too thankful. Undeserving as I am,
even, you have been an agent in the hand of
tho Almighty for my benefit."

The eyes of the delighted Bross fairly glis-
tened to hear such words from the niouth of
such a chosen vessel. The bare idtni of hav
ing been acknowledged as tho Sidected instru-
ment to servo this meek, exemplary pastor
was almost overwhelming! What would he
not havo then given to be able to wcu^p a lit-
tle gratitude for so much condescension?

" Yes, my dear friend, you have proved an
unexpected aid to me with regar<l to the evil
d(^signs of that bad man. I have already
made you acquainted with the nature of his
calmnni(!9, of his nnholy attacks against me
yet I caro not for myself, llo is, as you are
awaro, an unboliovor in our diviuo faith ; and,

aa an humble instrument in upholding the
truth of God, I have had to reply to the
specious and dangerous reasoning which he
has circulated through the debased columns of
tho Westminster Review against the Scrip-
tures, I have had to neiitralize the poisonous
error with which he had infected many feeble
minds, and for i,uls, as well as for other simi-
lar reasons, I have incurred his hatred. Since
my unfortunate domestic affliction, his base
in.sin nations and intermeddling have been to
me a painful persecution. But the ministers
of God should esteem it a privilege to suffer
in his cause. ' Our light affliction, which is
but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' The
Lord will, I humbly trust, counteract the inten-
tions of this wicked person."

After this delivery, the dcctor was evidently
much affected, and when he stooped down to
apply his handkerchief, the feelings of the
sympathizing clerk were overcome, and in a
similar manner he tried to hide the tears
which it is to be presumed filled his eyes on
the occasion.

" He will — he will, no doubt, reverend sir,"
said Bross in a faltering voice. " I am aware
of all that that evil-disposed man has done
against you. I cau assure you, nothing will
give me greater satisfaction than to be of the
slighte.st service to you in any way. I am
but a humble individual, sir; but if my very
humble services can be of tho slightest assist-
ance, pray do, sir, command me ; it will be
such a pleasure to obey."

" Ah !" said the doctor,
" what great faithfulness
discover where there is
Then, after a well-regulated pause, he con-
tinued : " lie calls at your office very often
then, you say ; ho must be rather litigious?
no doubt of it."

" Yes. sir, ho calls occasionally. We do his
business — at least the respected firm of Vixard
& Coke have the management of whatever
matters recpiire legal attention. We conduct
his legal affairs when he has any ; they can't
be much, for we never had a case of his in
court ; yet he calls, it must be for advice."

" What business can he then possibly have
to ret] ui re attention in your office? what ad-
vice can he require if ho is neither plaintiff
nor defendant? Can you find out? I am
anxious to know, and I will explain tho rea-
son some other time."

" Explain ! Of course you need explain
nothing to me, sir ; I shall only be too happy
to b(* of any — ''

" Never mind, never mind, my dear friend ;
I am cpiite aware of all that ; just find out
his aim, ho must have some sinister motive
in view ; ho is one whom wo must distrust."

" Well, it is so difficult to find out what he
is after. He is generally in close consultation
with Mr. Vizard, all that is, of course, lost to
us ; he must have a design — indeed, I suspect
him already. You remember the conversa-
tion whi(di I told you I overheard between
him and his wife ?"

" Ah! yes — that where she accused him of
unfaithfulness. Poor woman ! Lot me see,
I think you said tho maid, or rather his fa-

as if soliloquizing,
and amiability we
least pretension."

' m

'•>»;

150

EXETER HALL.

nil,'

1?F*--

vorite, was piosent at llio time," s^oke the
doctor suggestively.

" There was another person — a woman, a
female, a favorite — no doubt just what you
say," stammered the compliant clerk.

'■ Alas ! she was the certain cause of all the
misery that has since fallen upon his unhappy
wife. But what better could be expected?
What faithfulness, or honor, or principle, or
morality could follow from one who would
ignore religion ? The tree is known by its
fruit."

" Very true indeed, sir. What faithfulness
or honor, or morality could follow ?" echoed
the correct Mr. Bross.

" Now that I think of it, perhaps it would
be well that you should clearly remember
what took place at that time ; it may be of
service hereafter. No doubt it then occurred
to you that the trouble was caused by domes-
tic jealousy," again suggestetl the doctor.

" I think it did, sir ; yes, I think that was
my impression— of course it was. You are
perfectly right, sir ; it was jealousy."

" Oh ! it is quit'^ apparent, it could be nothinj;'
else. And you have no idea of the real na-
ture of his business at the office ?"

" I can not say for certain ; I often take an
opportunity of going into the private room
to make an inquiry — this is a great liberty —
and I once overheard Mr. Vizard say some-
thing as to the law regulating the confine-
ment of insane persons."

" Insane persons ! Ah! I see," said the doc-
tor stoically. Yet the sudden pressure on his
temples at the moment was rather oppressive ;
and his face became suddenly flushed.

Mr. Bross continued, " Lately, I had reason
to believe that he had some business of his
own. There was, I think, a settlement, or will,
or instrument drawn, by which his daughter
was to be benefited. The copy of this I have
not yet seen — I will get hold of it if possible;
but a scrap of memoranda which I saw in
the waste-basket, related to such a convey-
ance."

" A scrap not worth keeping, I suppose 1"
said the doctor carelessly. "The matter,
however, as to lunatics must have been in re-
lation to his own wife. Mcthodistic excite-
ment and jealousy, and the misconduct and
immorality of her husband, all, no doubt, com-
bined to overpower her weak mind."

" Most probably, sir ; but there was nothing
on the piece of pajier which could be of any
advantage ; I looked it over carefully. Perhaps,
though, there may bo something in this ; 1
saw it upon one of the office chairs after they
went away." And Mr. Bross handed the doctor
an open envelope.

Two small pieces of paper were all it con-
tained ; one was written, the other printed,
but even these were sufficient to drive the
blood into the doctor's face and then suddenly
back to his heart, leaving him in a state of
pallor ; and though he tried to appear very
calm, he was evidently much agitated.
The print and the writing took but a minute
to read, yet like some powerful spell, or as but
a single drop of a potent drug, the eflect was
sudden and stupefying. On one piece of
paper the doctor read, in his ovvu hand-

writing, "A. M., North street, near Jewish
Cemetery," and the other was an advertise-
ment cut from the Times. — " Wanted, two or
three steady and intelligent persons, suitable
for attendants in a X)rivate hospital ; strangers
to the city preferred. Address Dr. A. M., 1322
North street.

For the time, !^^r. Bross seemed to have been
entirely forgotten. The eye of his reverend
friend still rested upon the advertisement,
then it glanced at the writing, and then there
was a contraction of the brow, as if some deep
problem required the most powerful concen-
tration of thought. The doctor ha<l never
missed the memorandum which he had drop-
ped, he could not tell where ; but there was
his own writing,, sure enough, and how this
scrap ever got into the hands of Martin Man-
ners was the mystery. Then the connection
which had evidently been established between
the writing and the advertisement caused
him the greatest anxiety. Through the small
opening already made, an enemy might see a
great, great distance. Were his plans known ?
Were his schemes detected 1 Was he already
discovered, and the hated infidel already upon
his track to crush and expose him before
the world ? He looked half bewildered around
the room, and then askance with tiger eye
even at Bross, as if he had already sus-
pected him of being an emissary. Suddenly
collecting himself, he assumed his blandest
tone, and said carelessly :

"I hardly understand the meaning of
these items ; ihero may be something in
them, yet scaiccly of any conse(iuence. Are
you sure that they were left by Mannors 1"

" Oh ! yes, sir, quite certain ; at least, either
by him or the person who was with him — one
or the other."

" Person with him I Was there any one
with him when he called 1"

" Indeed, I forgot to mention that there
was a stranger — a person I never saw before."
And Mr. Bross gave the best description he
could of the unknown individual.

With all his caution, the doctor could not
hide his uneasiness. Who this new actor was
that had, as it were, just entered on the stage,
or the part he was to perform, created much
embarrassment. There was an alliance or
secret combination formed which disconcerted
him very much, and every attempt nuul now
be made to discover the nature of this fresh
source of danger. However, it would not do
to appear in the least intimidated ; there should
be no evidence of weakness or wavering, and
the doctor for the time simulated the greatest
indiffi'rence.

" Well, my dear friend, I feel greatly obliged
to you for your kind attention to my interests.
I do not, of course, understand to what these
pajjcrs refer; however, they may, perhaps
guide us to something. But if you can iws-
sibly ascertain who this other person is, or
where he resides, or what business there can
be between him and my enemy, it may bo
serviceable. It is jjrobable that tliis envelope
and its contents were left behind, :t being of
no service. I can not see that they are of any
conseqiuaire ; any way, I shall keep them in
my possesgiou ; insignificant as they now are,

EXETER HALL.

ISl

they
time.

may, perhaps, be useful at another

The doctor a$raln thanked Bross most gra-
ciously. Ho then jjave a pious turn to tlie con-
versation, and fuelinj^^j- commented on the
great refuge of the Christian in troublous
times. What was this world but tlie vunify
of vanities — a fleeting show, a snare? He
spoke of the glorious privilege of Sabbath
serNices ; he urged punctuality at the weekly
prayer-meeting and regular attendance at the
Sabbath-school. Every effort sliould be made
to spread a knowledge of the Lord over the
whole earth. The Ijeauty of holiness was a
tlieme upon whicli he said he loved to dwell.
Oh ! how it made his heart expand in love to
all. What reproacli he would be willing to
suffer for the truth f Words of affection
seemed to flow from the lips of the holy man,
and from the manner in which poor, devoted
Mr. Bross hung his head, it was evident that
the doctor's pious remarks made a due impres-
sion.

Time was fleeing fast, and the punctual
Bross hinted the necessity of returning to his
post ; and just as that hopeful young Christian
and law-clerk was about to take his leave,
the doctor drew from a recess a bundle of as-
sorted religious tracts and handed them toliis
young disciple for distribution. Here was a
means for the mo.st unassuming to make them-
selves useful. He complimented Bross for
tlio diligence he had already shown, and urged
him to continue in the good work. Scattered
here and there among the careless and i)ro-
fane, these little leaves might cause some to
pause on the downward road, and bring reflec-
tion to many a careless sinner ; and what a
gratification it would be for one to know that
he was a privileged agent in «uch a work.

Mr. Bross reverently received tht orthodox
package. He was delighted at such manifes-
tations of confidence from one of such cstab-
lislied piety ; he stammered many promises ;
and took his departure, asserting his deter-
mination to renew his exertions in flie cause
of the Lord — and Doctor Buster.

The day continued gloomy, and the doctor
Btood at the window for some time and va-
cantly watched the retiring form of Bross
through the thick mist. The morning, so far,
had been unpropitious, the inoderator felt
strangely uneasy ; every visitor as yet had
brought' him but ill news — how would the
day end? As ho still looked out, he clutched
the envelope, and, having given his wandering
conjectures full scope for some minutes, he
again read the writing and advertisement.

" Well, what a cursed fool I must have been
to let this out of my hands ! How the devil
did Mannors get it— or was it given him by
another? Well, damn them, let it go ! what
can they make of it ? notliing ! They may do
tlieir best, Marks and Fan will be able for
tliem. But stay, she has not yet seen these
waifs ; this has wandered back to me," said he,
looking at his own writing ; " and as for this
' advertisement, I must show it to Imr at
once. No doubt she will bo their match — she
never fails."

Having thus soliloquized, the doctor again
fortified himself with an iucreased dose of his

favorite liqnor, and, muffling himself up care-
fully, left the lonely house to make a few calls,
and then to visit Mrs. Pinkley, and counsel
with her as his chief friend and adviser.

When Mr. Bross reached tlie office of liis
employers, he was immediately dispatched
with a message to Hampstead. He was very
much pleased at this, and trusted that an op-
portunity might offer of being able to serve hia
reverend patron, Doctor Buster. On his arrival
at Heath Cottage, he was met at the garden
gate by Miss Mannors, and admitted into the
house by her whom he then thought one of
the most beautiful beings on which his eyes
had ever rested. Mr. Mannors was absent,*
but was expected home every minute, and in
the mean time his fair daughter, Mary, kept
his visitor in conversation. The blushing,
blundering Bross was sadly stricken, and for
a full half-hour made the most desperate and
agonizing efforts to appear collected and in
his ordinary senses ; but at the end of that
time, when Mr. Mannors returned, ho could
scarcely make himself understood. He was
almost hopelessly lost—:: victim to love at
first sight.

What a change had already come over the
fickle Bross ! The maligned Martin Mannors
was now a hero, for whom he would have con-
signed the great Doctor Buster to the remotest
ends of the earth ; and Miss Mannors was a
sweet divinity, for whom he could have for-
saken his Sunday-school and its feminine
attractions ; she was an angel, for whom he
might be possibly persuaded to lay down his
very life, or even resign the coveted honor of
being secretary to an extensive and distin-
guished branch of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association of London. Alas ! what s
sudden fall from grace to nature. Poor Bross
was already a willing backslider, already
contemplating further strides upou the down-
ward road.

CHAPTER XXXL

After Mrs. Pinkley had accepted a situation
from Dr. Marks, she found it necessary to re-
move to a dwelling more convenient to his
celebrated Home, in which she might be said
to be the principal attendant. She had to
search for some days before she could find a
suitable house, yet the one which she had at
last secured was not the style she wished, nor
was it the most pleasantly situated ; but it
answered her puriioso for the time, as she
did not expect to remain in it very
long. The building was one of a row of
old, dilapidated structures which had, perhaps,
twD centuries before given victims to the
great plague, and had subsequently escaped
the great conflagration. Any way, it, bore
the marks of age, if cracked and crumbling
walls, spreading door-jambs, and sunken lin-
tels were evidence to that extent ; its late oc-
cupant, an old trading Jew, having resided
there for over fifty years, until ho was at last
transferred from liis garret to his grave, and
deposited in the cemetery — only just acmssthe
street — to moulder aud mingle with the mor-

M>J

152

EXETER HALL.

■1

■;*12'

tal remains of others distinguished as the de-
scendants of the great, ancient Abraham.

As cleanliness is said to be next to godliness,
Mrs. Piukley, therefore, as a pious woman,
could not but exliibit a due regard for appear-
ances ; and it was not many days before she
liad tlio lower front room — long used as the
general store-room for the odds and ends upon
which the old Jew advanced petty loans —
clear«'d of its cobwebs, and, with the ri'main-
der of the house, cleansed and renovated as
much as possible. Indeed, after the operation,
the old store-room, decked out with its new car-
pet and old furniture, now looked more like the
»quiet jjurlor of some country inn ; and it was the
principal recei)tion-room for the veiyfewwho
ever called or gained admission at the par-
ticvdar hours when Mrs. Pinkley was likely
to be found at home. During her absence,
the outer door was generally kept locked,
and the entire place left in charge of a trusty
hunii)-l)acked girl called Bessy — a waif, who
had been deserted in childhood, who never
knew a ])arent, and who, one would think,
seemed neither to knojy nor care for any one
else but Mrs. Pinkley ;■ how she came by her,
none could tell, but she claimed to have adopt-
ed her simply thr< iu<ih a humane motive. This
unfortmiate being had been trained for a sj)ecial
purpose — trained to be trusted ; every act was
to be in strict conformity to the wishes of lier
mistress ; the training part was, f\o doubt, pe-
culiar, for if she did not learn to love the pro-
tector she had found, it was evident that fear
had a ])owerful intlueuce in rendering her
obedience perfect — Mrs. Pinkley had a slave
whom she could govern at will. Bessy was
allowed to grow up in the grossest ignorance ;
she took to house-keeping, however — it was all
she had been e\er taught ; she knew nothing
of religion, except that she was told that there
was a hell, where, after the woes of this life
were ended, she would find multijjlied misery
if she did not render faithful obedience to her
mistress ; but in the matter of house-kee],«ng,
she could manage things pretty well, and
Mrs. Pinkley felt satisfied that while she was
away Bessy could take care of the house, and
control her tongue and her appetite according
to instructicms.

The December day had been gloomy ; it
was now getting toward evening, and in
the upper fnmt-room of Mrs. Pinkley's domi-
cile two children, a boy and girl, stood silently
together at one of the windows watching the
tlight of the dark clouds, or 8i)eculatiug ujwn
the probable number of graves in the Jewish
cemetery right in front of the house. The
room was a co]d-looking apartment, scantily
furnished ; there was an old, rickety table,
a few old chairs, and leaning against the
rough wall was a kind of book-shelf, upon
which lay scattered a few old school-books, a
Testament, and a number of religious tracts ;
there was not the simplest picture or engra-
ving to attract the children's attention, and
when they grew weary looking at the ban*
walls of the room, they could look out and
see graves and little iiiounds in the burial
ground,

Theii! were yew-trees along the walls of the
cemetery, and though monmneuts were few,

still Jewish affection could be traced by the
number of willows which bent like mourners
over the last resting-place of many of those
who had deiiarted this life resolute unbelievers
iii the mission of the Christian Messiah.
While the children ^atche;' vacantly from
tlie window, they noticed a man standing un-
der one of the large trees— or rather behind
it — and he seemed as if lo<jking at them or
toward the house. He peered cautiously from
time to time, and then drew back as if to es-
cape ob.servation. Was he, too, a mourner?
lie must be. After he stood behind the tree
tor sonu! time, he commenced to pace slowly
backward and forward," treading down the
dead leaves, and Avhilc still watching the
house, he went and sat upon a new grave,
lie wore a heavy 8ha\il and muHled up his
face as if ho were weeping, but still he looked
at tiie house ; and the children, in their simpli-
city, pitied the sorrowing Jew.

" Dears, how quiet you are," said Bessy,
ste.\ling uj) behind them, and i)lacing a hand
upon tlie shoulder of the boy and girl. " How
still you do keep 1 Ma'am is away
again." She alwa^'S called Mrs. Pinkley
" ma'am," and mostly in a subdued voice.
" Ma'am is away, Miss Alice — we can laugh
now." And Bessy made a wailing kind of at-
tempt at laughter which almost startled the
children. "Don't be afeart d of me, dears."
Why, Master Frank, you look frightened !
Poor Bessv loves vou both, and you know I
can only laugh when you are with me.
Ma'am is away again, and I want to laugh ;
it does me good— it does."

" Wo were looking at that man," said the
boy, i)f)inting to the cemetery ; " he is a poor
Jew — may be crying for his children."

" Why, dears, Jews have got no hearts —
ma'am says they "re such wicked bad uns. She
would kill 'em and burn 'em, I know she
would. Slie says they are worse than — " '
and Bessy pointed downward significantly, as
if afraid to utter the name of the evil one.

" Jav^ have tender hearts, like other peo-
ple," said Alice, "for you know, Bessy, how
it made us all cry the other day when we 8u\V
the poor old Jew so sorry at the big funeral. '
Oh ! how sorry he was ; they could scarcely
get him away from the grave ; may bo that
poor nuin over there is crying for somebody
that's dead."

" May be," said Bessy, " but a man goes to
that place very often just like liim, and he
keeps a looking over tliis way — see, he's look-
ing at us now I Ma'am doesn't like un, and
she told me to watch un, she did, and to keep
the door fast, and to let no one come in but
the doctor. You know how she beat mo the
other day for letting the man in with the lot
of toys — oh ! such bi^auties ; — and when he
got in, he peeped here and there, and asked
if there was any children, and I said, no, bo-
cause ma'am told me — she did."

" Oh ! I wish we had ^seen them," said
Alice ; " I wish we could see something, I wish
we could get out to see somebody — to seex
the nice green fields in the country, only just
for an hour."

" Dears, dears, ma'am would kill mo if I was
to let you % or let any body come in again

EXETER HALL.

158

— «he would. How I would like to go too !
what are green fields like, Miss Alice — like
thatV"

" No, Bossy, not like that — that's a grave-
yard, full of graves ; but the green fields that
I remember are away, away from streets, and
houses, and noise — so very quiet ; away in the
country, where the sun shines, and where we
could see cows and little lambs, and could
pick daisies and buttercups in the springtime
and—"

" O Miss Alice !" interrnjited Bessy, and
clapping lier hands in ecstasy, "do, do tell nie
about the fields ; I often lieerd of fields — green
fields — tell me what they are like." Bessy had
but a faint conception of what they were ; she
liad never been outside the gloom of the city,
still she had an idea tliat the countr^, and its
hills and fields might be part of heav(;n,
about which the children spoke sometimes.

In her eugernesis to hear, she sat upon the
floor, as she often did when she was alone
with th(!ni, placing one on each side of licr.
Tliey formed a strange little group in the dull
light before the window. Bessy's pinchf-d
and worn-Io(jking face made her ai)pear old ;
though she was scarcely seventeen, she might
have beiMi taken for thirty ; she seemed to
liave had no childhood, but to have ])assed
from infancy to maturity at one dreary
bound. Her life so far had been but a bleak
period of drudgery, ban' hip, and oppression,
and the only real joyful moments of her ex-
istence were those spent in the socic'ty of
tlieso children ; they were the only beings
tliat had ever been truly kind to her, and
they pitied Bessy in her dt;solatlon. Un-
known to Mrs. Pink ley, they taught her to
read ; for though that stern Christian woman
l)rofe8sed to be a patron of knowledge and of
Sunday-schools, yet she never permitted her
dependent to waste a moment with books —
Bessy in gross ignorance served her purpose
better. Tlie children, however, were not sus-
pected, and they took pleasure in imparting
to Bessy a share of their little stock of know-
ledge, and Bessy, in return, loved them witli all
the intensity of her benevolent nature ; they
seemed to be, like herself, the inheritors of af-
fliction. Alice, the oh' iv child, was about ten
years of age, a delicat vlsoking girl ; she had
beautiful Ijrown hair, which Hi^ssy took great
delight in twi,sting into long curls. Fi-ank
might be two years younger ; he was a healthy
boy, very intelligent for his age, and singu-
larly independent in his manner of thinking.
For mcn-e than a year Bessy had been almost
theirpuly com])anion. Mrs. Pinkley was gen-
erally away during the day and often during
tlie night, and, when thus left ahme, as soou
as Bessy hurried through with her work, they
would all sit tdgether in the upper room, and
the children would tell of what they had seen
of the world outside of London, and tell of
their mother, and of the nice home they once
had ; and when they wept, as they often did,
for tliat mother and home, B(>ssy would weep
too, and bo their only C(nnforter.

After Alice had de'lighted Bessy with a de-
scription of the fields, trees, hills, and streams
of the quiet country, and had contrasted cot-
tages and gardens with old houses in dirty,

[ crowded city thoroughfares, Frank did his
part by hearing Bessy spell her hard words,
and then he assisted her to read the last tract
which had been left with him by Mrs. Pink-
ley ; it gave a terrible description of the final
judgment, and of hell, and of the woeful
doom of the wicked • and it was completed
by the three following verses, from one of the
most orthodox hymn-books : *

"Tho groat archangt'l's trump shall sound,

(While twirc ton thousiuid thundurn roar,) •

Tear up the |j;raves and cleave the ground,
And make the greedy eeu restore.

" Tho greedy sea shall yield her dead,
The earth no more her slain conceal ;
Sinners shall lift their guilty he.id.
And shrink to see a yawning hell.

" We. while tho stars from heaven shall fall.
And mountains are on 'nountains hurled,
Shall stand unmoved amidst them all,
And smile to see a, burning world."

Poor Bessy shuddered ; she looked in the
boy's face, but she saw no chaiigo — "o terror ;
neither did his sister seem to be much af-
fected.

" Dears, are you not afeared ? Isn't that
dreadful? Don't let's read any more of it,
Master Fraidc. O my ! O my 1 ^la'am says
it's all true — she does ; better we'd never been
born — never been born."

" Bessy, it's not true," ^id the boy, try-
ing to assure her ; " my ma often tn\Ct me so ;
she said there Avas no such place as hell, and
that God was good and loved everybody, and
would never burn them up."

" lie won't ? dears, dears I I hope he
won't ; dears, I hope 1"

" lie won't, Bessy," continued the boy ;
"God never made such a horrid place ; it was
the priests who made hell — ma said that,
foo."t

" Miss Alice ! isn't it dreadful to think
on ? I could love God better if there was no
liell — I could. I wouldn't want to hide from
him so if he was as good to me, dears, as you
are — I wouldn't."

" I'm not afraid of God, Bessy," .^aid Frank.
" I remember that ma used to tell us that
cruel men make a cruel God ; if I was very,
very sick, and going to die to-morrow, I
wouldn't be afraid.'

"God loves all good people, Bessy,"' said
Alice ; " I think he loves every body ; he loves
you, for you are good — I am sure he does."

" Oh ! but I'm very wicked, dear — I am.
I w(nil(l like to be very good. Miss Alice — I
would, but I'm a very bad un, I 8upi)oso ;
for ma'am says I'm so terribly wicked — she
does ; but you know I didn't make myself; if
I did, I'd be a good bit better— 1 would. Miss
Alice. God pity us all !"

" God will pity us all, Bessy," said the chil-
dren solemnly.

During the pause which followed, th(>re was a
loud thump heard at the front-door. The chil-
dren were startled, the boy became rather agi-
tated, and grew suddenly pale ; and as Bessy
moved off on tip-toe, she beckoned significant-
ly and whispered, " Ilish, lush, dears ! "tis th'
doctor, 'tis th' doctor."

* i!

* Wesley's Hymns.

t See Note D.

164

EXETER HALL.

S' > {■?

{ v

"•WW*.

I'' '

T[\e children inBtinctivcly drew into a cor-
ner of the room, and the nmn in the cemetery
moved from the jrrave on Mliidi he had been
sitting, and stood looking at the house again
from lieliind the big tree.

Before Uessy had time to reach the door,
another loud knock was given. She had no
occaei<m t; look through tlie yide-lights to be
assured of who was Avaiting for admittance,
for already slie could hear Doctor Buster mut-
tering eitlier prayt^rs or curses at her delay,
and, as soon as the door was opened, he
Btamped in rudely past her, and in a gruff,
impatient voice asked for Mrs. Pinkley."

" She be out, sir," said Bessy, almost trem-
bling.

" Out ? the devil ! How long has she been
out V When will she be back '!"

" More'n an hour or two, sir ; she's a coming
back soon — soon, sir."

" When is soon, you jade — you damned
hump ? Where are the children T

The doctor was evidently annoyed, irri-
tated. He did not expect to find Mrs. Pink-
ley out, and her absence and may be other
matters had ruffled his temper. He did not
wait for Bessy's answer, and, as lie mounted the
creaking stairs, the children tried to crouch
further into the corner, and the man in the
cemetery moved closer toward the house.

The room was. gloomy, and as the doctor
paused jn the doorway, his dark form loomed
up in the dusky light like a great spectre, and
when his eye rested upon the little fugitives
in the corner, he seemed to get rather angry,
and said in a sharp, upbraiding manner:
"Why, what do you hide there for, you stu-
pid fools ■? W^ho did you expect to see com-
ing? Come out of that — come here!"

The frightened boy sat still, but Alice
moved toward her father ; yet slu^ a]>proached
him in a hesitating manner, which did not
tend to make him more amiable.

"Come on, girl — do. Am I an elephant?"-

" O pa ! we were a little afraid ; for a man

came into the house the other day, you know,

and — " and the girl hesitated still uioi'e in

trving to frame some excuse.

" A man in the other day I I know that.
Was he here again ? Did that cursed hump-
back let him in a second time?"

" No, pa ; no, sir, Bessy did not, she didn't,
indeed, jia ; but we saw a man over there this
evening, and we were afraid." And Alice
jwinted to the burial-ground across the street.
The doctor went quickly to the window,
and looked eagerly out toward the place, but
the man in the cemetery suddenly drew back
behind a tree, and, as it was getting dark, the
doctor made no discovery.

" I see no one ; you mustn't be afraid of your
shadow. What are you skulking there for,
sir? Come here! What is the brat think-
ing of?"

" Frank was afraid too, pa," said Alice, try-
ing to be cheerful. " Come, Frank, pa has got
a nice book for us."

The boy left his corner rather reluctantly.
Alice took his hand and led him on, and,
when he ventured to glance upward at his
father, he saw him standing near the window
frowning, and holding hie golrt-iieaded caue.

"What have you been doing, sir? You
look as if you had been guilty of something,"
said the doctor.

"Oh! nothing, sir, indeed, nothing; but I
said my lessons to Alice, and we read a tract
for Bessy."

"You like tracts, do you?" said the doctor
ironically, and he glanced at the latest doc-
trinal effusion of the society, tlu; reading of
which had so alarmed poor Bessy. " Any
thing rather than read your Testament — tracts
or any thing."

" Wt; read it every day, pa, we do, indeed,"
said Alice.

" You read ! Yes, you nad, but do you be-
lieve — does he ?"

" He does, pa, I believe, and so does Frank,
almost all — almost every thing." And Alice
nearly tresj^assed on the truth to try and con-
ciliate her father.

" Almost !" retorted the doctor ; " those who
almost believe will be aluKist saved, think of
that ! Almost won't do ; it must be a full and
entire belief. I have heard that this wicked
brat almost believes — almost ; that won't do
for me. If he doubts that Ood will be re-
venged, if he doubts that there is a hell, he
may find one, as I hope all unbelievers will
do. He must believe it." The doctor stamjv
ed upon the floor as he uttered the last four
words, and the boy trembled as he stood be-
fore him.

" Indeed, pa," pleaded Alice, " we read a
good deal every day ; we like the Testament
\cvy much. To-day we read sucli nice chap-
ters — we read of how Christ ]>r('ached forgive-
ness, of how he fed the multitude, and of how
he cured lepers, and poor, sick peoiile, tmd of
how he blessed little children, and of how he
wept at the grave when he raised the dead
Lazarus. You know, pa, that every oiie
would like to believe these things — and we
would too."

" Yes, yes, I see ; like a good many others,
you would like to believe in all mercies, in all
forgiveness, but what of divine justice? Clod
must be avenged. Now, let me see what you
know on this point." The doctor drew a
chair and sat down.asifpreiiannl to catechise.
" I have ordered you to read the Bible, now
let me test j'our knowledge.

" Wliat is said in the Old Testament with
respect to the vengeance of the Lord? Will
ho be av«!nged ?"

Alice gave the answer out of the book of
Nahum, 1st chapter, 2d and 6th verses : " God
w jealous, and the Lord revcngeth*; the Lord
revengeth, and is furious : the Lord will take
vengeance on his adversaries, and \\e reserveth
wrath for his enemies. W'ho ("an stand before
his indignation? and who can abide in the
fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out
like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by
him."

" What are the divine threats against the
disobedient?"

She answered from Leviticus, chapter 20 :
27, and from Isaiah 34 : 3 : " And if ye will
not for all this hearken unto me, but walk
contrary to me: Then will I walk contrary
unto you also in fUry, and I, even I, will chas-
tise you seven times for your sins. And ye

■rii

«ir ? You
jmetbing,"

ing; but I
ead a tract

the doctor
latest <loc-
reading of
'*y. " Any
ent — tracts

o, indeed,"

do you be-

oea Frank,
And Alice
y and con-

those who
d, think of
3 a full and
his wicked
t won't do
ivill be re-
? a hell, be
ievers will
;tor stain])-
le last four
e stood be-

we read a

Testament

nice chap-

ed forgiv©-

iind of how

|»le, find of

)f how he

the dead

every one

8 — and we

my others,
ies, in nil
ice? Ciod
what you
drew a
catechise.
Uble, now

nent with
•d? Will

book of
■es: "God

the Lord
will take
reserveth
nd before

in the
lOured out

down by

fainst the

iptor 20 :
f ye will
jut walk
contrary
,vill chas-
And ye

- -i-Y»afe_

EXEETR HALL.

155

shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh
of your daughters shall yt^ eat. And I will
destroy your high i>hic('S, and sut df)wn your
images, and cast your carcasses u|)on* the
carcasses of your idols, and niy wnil shall ab-
hor you.

" Their slain shall bo cast out, and their
stink shall come up out of their carcasses, and
the mountains shall be melted with their
bl(K)d." (Isaiah !}4: 3.)

" Were they not to be cursed by the Lord ?
What were tlie maledictions '!"

Again she answered, reciting several verses
from the 28tli chapter of Deuteronomy : " But
it shall cimie to pass, if thou wilt not heark-
en unto the voice »4' tin* Lord thy God, to
observe to do all his commandments and his
statutes which I command thee this day, that
all these curses shul! come upon thee : Cursed
shalt thou he in the city, and cursed fthalt thou
be in the Held. Cursed s/iall be thy basket and
thy store. Cursed sfinll be the 'fruit of thy
body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase
of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Cursed fiJiiilt thou be when thou comest in,
and cursed shnlt thou he when thou goest out.
The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexa-
tion, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine
hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed,
and until tboji i)erish quickly : l)ecause of the
wickedness of thy doings whereby thou hast
forsaken me. The Lord shall make tlu; pesti-
lence cleave unto thee until he have consumed
thee from oft" the land, whither thou goest to
possess it. The Lord shall smite thee with a
consumption, and with a fever, and with an
inflammation, and with an extremt^ burning,
and with the sword, and with blasting, and
with mildew ; and they shall pursue thee un-
til thou perish." She paused, as if wearied with
the weight of cursing, and the doctor seemed
to exult in the proofs.

" Ila ! that's it ; no silly tempering of mer-
cy here, no weak relenting, no robbery of
divine justice ! Now, what is to be the doom
of unbelievers and Avicked Y' And he rubbed
his hands in anticipation of the answer.

" The wicked shall be turned into hell, and
all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9 :
17.) " Upon the wicked he shall rain snares,
fire, and brimstone, and a horrible t(Mnpest ;
this shall be the portion of their cup." (Psalm
11 : 0.) " I will be unto them as a lion ; as a
leopard by the way will I observe them. I
will meet them as a bear t?int is bereav"' of
her tchelpfi, and will rend the caul*of tiu ir
heart, and there will I devour them like a
Uon." (ITosea 13 : 7, 8.)

" Prove that God's wrath will not be finally
appeased."

" Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I
Lave pity." (Ezcsk. 7 : 0.) " I also will laugh at
your calamity ; I will mock when your fear
Cometh." (Pro. 1 : 20.) " When your fear comcth
as a desolation, and your destruction cometh
as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish
como upon you, then shall ye call upon me,
but I will not answer." (37 : 29.)

" Give mo a few texts from the New Testa-
ment in proof of eternal punishment."

She answered, " The Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that
know not 0(k1, and that obey not the Gosih-I
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall l>e
punished with everlasting destruction from
the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power." (2 Thes. 1 : 7, 8, 9.) " The smoke
of their torment ascendeth up forever and
ever." (Kev. 14 : 11.)

" Will not these judgments be approved of
by the righteous ?"

" He that sitteth in the heavens shall langli ;
the Lord shall have them in derision." (Psalm
2 : 4.) " The righteous see it, and are glad ;
and the innocent laugh them to scorn." (Job
22 : 19.) " The righteous shall see, and fear,
and shall laugh at him." (Psalm 52 : 6.)
"Let Mount Zion rejoice; let the daughters
of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments."
(Psalm 48 : 11.) " The righteous shall rejoice
when he seeth the vengeance ; he shall
wash his feet in the blood of the wicked."
(Psalm 58 : 10.)

" Here is sufficient evidence ! Nothing
about mercy or forgiveness, no yielding to
pleadings for pity ; and i/'>ii, dare to doubt
the.se denunciations," said he, turning au- ago-
ly to the boy.

" O pa!" again interceded Alice, " he does
not understand it ; he will believe all soon."

"Soon! he mu4 believe now; curse him,
does he want to follow his mother? does he
ever say his prayers ?"

" I pray, and Bessy prays, pa ; wo all pray
sometimes." And Alice now bcsgan to trem-
ble as she stood before her angry parent.

" Does he pray, I ask ? Have you prayed
to-day V" said he, scowling down upon Frank.

The boy could not utter a word ; he held
his sister firmly by the hand, bent his head,
and remained silent.

" Pray, you infernal imp ! none of your
mother's doings here — quick, or I'll make you
pray."

The little fellow could scarcely stand ; ho
looked up imploringly, his eyes were filled
with tears ; he knelt down, he tried to re-
member a prayer, a verse, a text, or anything,
but could only utter, " Our Father — deliver
us from evil ; God be merciful to me a sin-
ner !"

O dear ! dear child, God ha' mercy on you
now," said Bessy, clapping her liands to-
gether and l(K)king into tlie room.

" Begone, you beast," said the now iiffuriated
doctor, banging the door in Bc^ssy's face. And
while the poor creature stood upon the dark
stairway, wringing her hands and sobbing,
the doctor rushed back, and shouted almost
loud enough to be heard across the street,
" Pray, damn you ! imp of your mothi^r ; if you
don't pray at once, I'll take your cursed life."

Alice was almost ready to faint ; she still
held her brother's hand ; he could not speak ;
he tried to get up to recede a step or two, luit
before he could move away, his father struck
him several quick blows and smashed his cane.
Alice screamed, and fell fainting. Bessy rusb-
ed in, but before she had time to shield the
prostrate boy, the doctor seized the cane by
its broken end, and, with one mighty blow,*

• See Note I.

'■',-M', » -

■ V 1 ■

I ., V:

1^;^

150

EXETER HALL.

MJjj

i^-'

***.

•sJ f

biiried its heavy golden handle in the child's
head.

The man in the cometory heard Bessy's
wild wiiil ; he bounded over the wall and
iiished toward the house. Mi-s. Pinkley had
just hurriedly eutensd before him ; ho heard
the eommotion in the upjier room, and her
sharp accusations Jj^n the discovery of the
crime.

" O madman, madman I you've done it
now; what shall we do'.'" sh(i cried; "is all
forever iost? NNIuit shall we doV I ''aution-
ed you thirt morning; see how you ha.vj end-
ed the day."

MullMiig his face closely, the man stole up
the stsiirway and iJoepod into the room from
tlie dark liibl)y; he drew back in horror!
There lay tlie dying boy in a pool of blood —
his sister was in a swoon. Bessy knelt wail-
ing at his side, and Mrs. Pinkley stood before
tlio bewildered doctor, hurling bitter re-
proaches and cursing Iiis madness. The man
remained but a few moments ; ho left the
liousi) as (juietly as he had entere*!. He went
his way undiscovered ; he did not again enter
the burial-ground. See. ho hurries away !
Who is to hear his terrible tidings?

It is nearly dark ; there is another great
funeral in the .Jewish cemetery. Death stalks
about the place, and pef)ple are in sorrow.
Is it his grim carnival? The night wind
begins to moan through the leafless willows
and to mingle with the sobbings whicli are
heard around. But stay ; 'tis the triumph of
woe — here is another victim ! Is it a Cliris-
tian corpse ? Ah I how poor Bessy weeps.
Say, who sliall weep for her? Hearts of
pity ! see those closed eyes and that little
pale, ui>turned faci>, see that little hand
clutched in gore ! Alas! how that little form
already stittens in death. Wrap it nj) hastily
in its shroud ; hide it, 'tis a foul sight ; get
ready its grave — take it out" stealthily — take
it out in tlie night, that none may ever know
the tearless mourners.

CHAPTER XXXIL

Night had set in for some time ; it was very
dark ; the large strectdamp in front of the
massive door of a large, dreary -looking house
flashed "upon the ))olished door-plate, and the
wayfarer who could read might trace, almost at
a glance, the words, " Doctor Andrew Mar'Ks's
Private Asylum." This was his celebrated
Home, his Maisou dc Sante; there was a still-
ness about the ])lace, and but few lights could
be seen in its up]X'r barred windows. Many
of the atllicted ones had already been obliged
to retire to tlieir narrow rooms to rave or
Bcrand)le ujjon narrow beds, and kings, beg-
gars, emperors, and messialis, the hopeful and
the desponding, were again secured by bolt
and bar, and left alone to sing or whine,
command or imjdore, according to the mood
of a disordennl inmgination.

Doctor Murks was alone in his study ; he had
visited liis ])atiei\ts, and was now looking over
the eveninjr papers. A few attendants moved
noiselessly about, and the keeper of the wards,

who was to be on duty until after midnight,
paced leisurely up and down the long hall
between the prisondike dormitories. Now
and then the stillness would Ik* broken by the
wlum]iering complaints of B<'me neglected
monarch strutting in his den, or bj some des-
l)onding penitent moaning for mercy. But
the keeper heeded not ; he had often been bo-
songlit by iKitentatcs, and was now getting
accustomed to their api)eals, and could allow
their humble petitions to remain unanswer-
ed with all the indifference of a god. But
the keeper was not, however, as hard-luMirted ;
lie often stopped at one; end of the dim hall
to listen sadly to the mutterings of spiritual
despair which fell in doleful words from the
(luivering lips of erne who iancied tliat (n>il
liad utterly forsaken her, and that her day
of grace had fctrever passed ; and day and
night, through bright hours, or S(denin dark-
ness, the sad burden of" Lost, lost, forever lost"
could be heard in the same sad monotone
almost continually. He had just been listen-
ing to the doleful repetition ; all else had
become tolerably quiet, as if one great grief
had silenced all the rest. Looking care-
fully around, lu^ then lessened the light in
the hall-lamp and proceeded cautiously along
the passage ; at its end there was a short stair-
way ; this he ascended, and went ahmg a
narrow way leading to a few Vooms at the
back of the building. Mrs. Pinkley general-
ly oocupi(>d one of these ; she was now ab-
sent ; and the keeper, having paused a moment
or two, and finding that all Avas quiet, gave
a peculiar tap at tlie door of the adjoining
room ; tlien drawing a note from his ])ocket,
he hastily thrust it under the d<x)r-way. and
returned to his 8tati<m in the lower hall.

It was nearly ten o'clock ; the nightd)ell
was rung briskly, the fnmt-docjr was open-
ed, and Mrs. Pinkley entered. She went
into Doctor Marks's study ; she looked flurried
and excited, and, throwing lier cloak aside,
stood in front of the table at wliich the doctor
was sitting. He had been writing ; he laid
his pen aside, and l(M)ked u]) at his visitor ; she
was mute. Mrs. Pinkley seemed unable to
speak; the doctor began to feel su^p^l^ed;
there she stood like a statue, and he was
about to qtiestion her, Avlicn she at last man-
aged to excluim, "O doctor, doct<n-! I have
such dreadful tidings! dreadful tidings! Oli !
yes, yes, yes ; dreadful, terrible, fearful ; what
shall be done? what shall be done? doc-
tor, do<^or !"

" For heaven's sake !" said the doctor,
becoming alarmed, " what is t]>e matter ? You
look frightened ; sit down, try and be calm,
l(!t me know what is the matter." The doctor
drew a chair, and almost forced the woman
into it. " Sit down„sit down, and tell me what
is wrong."

"O good God! 'tis terrible! How shall
I b«>gin to tell you — how am I to commence?
'Tif* a death story, a story of blood !^' And
while Mrs. Pinkley was making efforts to
apiiear distracted — indeed she actually' fan-
cied some impending danger — a man was
looking in, and listening from the outside;
he could see into the room througli a sniftll
opening in the shutter ; he heard her piwsion-

EXETER HALL.

157

ato words ; he wns well muflltHl np. and as
he heard tlie ntci) of 8oi:ie wuiidcrinjj: ]>itlic('
man, he moved away from the window un-
til it i»asH((d; he tl.vn resumed his i)osition,
as if determined to catcli every word and
watoli every motion.

" Mrs. Pinkley," said the doctor, asMuminj;
the calmest possible tone, "jiray tell nn'
what has happened; is medical aid n( f-essa) ^ V
let me know at once."

"O doctor! you can bo of little service
now ; 'tis, I fear, too late, too late : let nu'
think a moment, and I will tell you all." She
stooped iiud hid her face in her hands, as
if afraid to hK)k at tlie lijrlit or at the man
before her. "You renu'ml)er, doctor, tiiat T
told you this morninjr 1 wanted to see Doctor
Buster ; I heer'd he was hack. He was away
for some days, and I thouurlit he mijiht want
to know about the children, and I wante(l
to tell him how his wife was trouVded with
these spasms, so as in case any thinji hayipen-
ed that lie mifrht be |)repared for the worst.
Well, I saw tlie doctor, but I was delayed
lonfrer tliau I expected. I hurried back, but
before 1 came here, I just looked into my
own house to see if thiiifrg was all rifrht.
I mtit Uessy at the door ; there was some-
thinor wild in her look. O that unfortu-
nate is'ivl, that I tried to save from misery and
starvat ion ! Years ajjo I took pity on her ; she
was a humpbacked foundlinir, and I brouf^ht
her np as if she was my own child. I've
had a world of trouide with her, doctor ; I
tried to teach her somcthinjj, but she was
only a half-idiot at best. 'Twas in a ])lacc
like tliis slie oufrht to have been — I see it
now wlieu it's too late. However, wIk-u I {jfot
tlie doctors cl)ildreu to my charjjc, she seem-
ed to take to them for a time, but slu! was
often very cross, and h(nid.-5tron<j, and cruel ;
but of course the cliildren woiddn't tell me,
the poor thinj^s bon; with a <rood d(;al that
I never lietu'd of. Anyhow, lately — anil it was
by mere chiince 1 discovered — I found that
she ffi)t aciiuainted with some man wlio she
kept about the phice, and I also found that
she sometimes actually let liim into tln' house ;
just think of that. I mis.sed some thinys; he
was, I supi)ose, (me fif our street thieves;
what a ("i.'ipanion for an honest jjirl! She
said he was some kind of a ]ieddler ; an<l. when
I reproved her t'T her vile conduct — I only said
i\ few W()nls — siio jrrew terril)ly anirry, and
beofan to thieatrn, a- slie always did wlir-n
I made the least complaint. I often hecnl
her say that if I scolded her she would
make 'away with herself, or take poison, or
do somethinjT very bad : you know, doctor,
that I am but a ]ioor scold, but I y'ot iiccus-
tomed to Bessy's threats and I didn't mind
them. 1 mentioned this mutter once, I tliink.
to D()Ctor Buster, but lie only treated it as a
silly joke; in fact, he is too kind-hearterl a
man to thiidc bad rtf a creature that seenu^d
BO forlorn at times; indeed, he pitied Bessy
as much as I did. However, wlicn I lelt the
house this afternoon to cnnu- here, every thinii;
appeared (juiet enouj^li, exci'i)t that 1 noticed
tl'.at Bessy had but little ti say — she was
rather surly. Ah! what a < mfidinjr fool I
was; for when I returned to the house, just

about dark, what did I see? O doctor!
'twas terrible. When I went in, I could
see no person ; every thing was very quiet,
as I said. I called, no one answered, no Bes-
sy could be seen. I b(>}ran to <rrow alarm-
ed, I called at,'ain and a^ain ; I ran up-stairs
at last, and, when I lookftd into the room,
jjracious (Jod! what did I find'? I thoujfht
I would drop; little Frank lay on the floor,
the blood streanunff from him, and when I
screanu'd and tried to lift him, he was dead !
Oh ! yes, doctor, dead ! A heart of stone would
tlien i)ity me; I must have fainted. When
I i^ot ai)le to move about aj;ain, I laid the
poor child on the bed, and i)Ut a covering
over him. While doing this, my suspicions
was provoked; I thought f>f tlu; wick(»d girl,
andof iu'rbad com])anion — Iguesscd the truth
at once! I thought of that horrid Bessy,
and of the vagabond she was encouraging.
I saw at once that I was robbed; and while
looking here and there in tl'C roum, I was.
terrified by a loud scream. I ueard a noise
or struggle in Bessy's room ; I ran in, and
there she lay on her bed, as I- though.t, in
some kind of fit. She was foaming at the
mouth and grasping at the bed-clothes. She
had taken ])oison. The cup was on the ta-
ble by the bedside, and there was sufficient
left in it to satisfy me that she had com-
mitted a double-murder— I almost felt cer-
tain of this. O the unfortunate wretch! I
forgot to tell you, that when I wi'ut to see
Doctor Buster this morning, 1 took Alice with
me to see her father. It was fortunate, for I
am sure if she had been left with her brother
she would, no doubt, have shared his fate.
Wliat a providential escape! S'-e, doctor, I
brought this paper with me, "twas on tlie
table near the cup; it contains the remaina
of a white ])owd(!r — I'm sure 'tis arsenic. Bes-
sy was dead in about ten minutes after I
got into her room; I tried to do all I could
to save her, but 'twas no use. AVluit was
I then to do'? I did not want to alarm the
neighborhood. I fastened the door, got a
cab, and drove at once to Doctor Buster's.
I told the ]K)or man the sad story; he went
almost distracted, God help him I he tlid ;
and we had, of course, to keet) it as secret
as the grave from poor Alice; she is very
delicate, and such horrid news might bring
her to death's door. I gi>t a good woman
of my accpiaintance to remain with her, and
the doctor came back with me. lie is alone
now with his dead child, and his luuirt is
ready to break. 'Tis a dreadful providence,
Doct'cn- Marks ; something must Ix^ done.
Doctor Buster wants to see you at (nice ; he
knows you can feel for his aHlicti(m."

" Tliis is, indetid, dreadful," said Doctor
Marks. " Are you sure tli(\v are dead '! Is it
not possible to do any tiling for thiMn ".' I ain
sorry you did not run here for me at once, be-
foreyim went for Doctor Buster ; I might have
been in time even then."

"0(h)ctor! I was so distractf>d, I'm sure I
scarc(dy knew what to do. They were dead —
yes, dead — before I hift, and I thought it best
to tell the child's father at (nice."

" Well, well, 'ti- a sad business, Mrs. Pink-
ley. I can do but little now to lessen the grief

s ■ -'I

:'i:'i

IK*

'Ill

t '■■'i

158

EXETER HALL.

S 1

of tliP hrn-avi'd father ; but I will Hoe him, I
will do what I din ; 'tiH a Bad, sad atliiir with
his (itluT troubles."

" Very sad, doctor ; afflictions soeni to follmv
that iMior man — they do follow (Jod's iioopU!.
'Twas bud cnou^rli iM't'orc. as you know, now
'tis dtnth— and such a death! 1 dread to gn
nvAT the place a^ain."

" I can understand your feelinfrs. Were it
an ordinary visitation of Providence, one
mijjht be in* a lueasuro prei)ared ; but here we
have sudden deaths ! not one alone, but a foul
murder — a suicide — a double calamity ! Were
it even sucii as could only atfe'ct youi-selves, it
mi^ht !)(■ more easily borne ; but it is a nuitter
tJuit can not, must not, be kept secret. Tlie
news of this will startle the whole communi-
ty. There will bo comments in the pa[)er8,
vexatious rumors and speculations, the public
iij(iue.'<t, and the harrowing notoriety which
will follow."

• Inquest! The word darted throufjli her
brain like fire. She never tlu)ujjht of that
horrid ordeal. The room commenced to turn
round, its rotary motion increased, her sifjfht
prew dim, and she would have fallen from her
chair were it not for the prompt assistance of
Doctor Marks. 'J'he man outside the window
still listi'ued ; he now scarcely moved, and he
heard every word.

"Did you eixy 'inqiiefit,' doctor T* said she,
striving to api)ear calm; "not surely an in-
quest Y They died like others — not surely an
inquest, iloctor?"

" This outrajre has upset you — no wonder.
It woulil require stronij nerves and a wicked
heart to renuiin indifferent. A deed of blood
has been committed, an inquest is indisi)ensa-
ble. You would, of course, be anxious to dis-
cover the i)erjietrator."

Tiie res|)e('tal)le dead of the Ilrmie liad often
been delivered to mournin relatives; there
was nothinfir secret in their manner of removal,
there were few inquests held over the defunct
o( Doctor Marks's establislunent ; they were
shrouded and cotiined and publicly taken
away, and no one cared to ask a (luestion.
Mrs. I'inkley knew this, and now she wanted
her dead hurried out. What did she care in
tliis case f(jr Christian burial ? There were
tlui bodies, dreadful to look at ; she would
readily take them across the way, and thrust
them undertrround by the side of dead Jews.
She wanted no inquest, and her charity was
sutficiently expansive at the time even to for-
give the murde'vr.

" 'Tis bad enough as it is — what good will
an inquest doV Think of a father's feelings ;
but you know best, Doctor Marks, you know
best. ^Ve will see hiia about it, let us be
guided l)y what he says ; he will advise for
tlie best, if he can advise at all in this
extreniity."

Mrs,. Pinkley began to pluck up her latent
cotirage ; she had been taken unawares — the
ca.se was disspi-rate. No ; she would never
flinch now, but was resolute and already de-
temiined to resort to a desperate remedy.

Doctor JIarks at once prei)ared to go out.
Mrs. Pinkley left the room, she had some
instructions to give to the attendants, and
would be back in a few minutes. She went

into an adjoining apartment, whispered to a
waiting-woman, and then went uji-stairs to her
own room. The keejjcr sat in an arm-chair,
and seem«'d half asleep as she passed tlirough
the long hall ; but as soon as lie thought she
was out of sight, he looked sharply around
and went on tip-toe to the en«l ot tiuf ui)l)er
stairs and stopped to listen ; when Im heard
her returning — she remained but a minute or
two — he resumed his ])laco in the chair, and
affected to be startled when she gently tapped
him on the shoulder.

"Oh! is that you, ma'am? I declare I didn't
hear you ; I — "

" Never mind, Sta]iles, I just wanted to tell
you that I have to go out again ; the doctor
wants me to attend him in a case not far off;
I may bo away an hour or two. The i)a-
tient in No. 19, next to my room, is very
restless tonight ; she is, I'm afeard, sinking,
and I want you to remind Mrs. .Jenkins to
attend to her in about an hour's time, jumc-
tual. 'Tis not eleven yet ; you stay in here
until the doctor returns — he nuiy be back be-
fore me, he may want me to stay out longer
for ail I know. ' Anyway, Staples, don't for-
get — I'll be back as soon as 1 can — that's a
good fellow."

Just as she was about to leave the hall,
plaintive murmuring was heard in one of the
rooms ; there were words of woe and desp<m-
dency, and then a melancholy voice droned
out :

" Behold I with awftil pomp.
The Judge prepares to come.
Th' archanjiel sound.s the dreadful trump,
And wakes the general doom."

She was startled, unusually so ; her natural
firmness seemed to have been a little bhaken
at the moment ; the keeper noticed her trej)i-
dation,but it quickly passed ; she felt slightly
annoyed at her own weakness, and, as she left
him, her thin lips were compressed and her
step more determined.

When she went down, she called Mrs.
Jenkins, the nurse, into a kind of disi)ensing-
room ; there were shelves at one end and
several drawers and bottles with latinized
labels ; but Mrs. Pinkley generally extjrcised
a prudent caution, she knew nothing of Acet.
Plumb., Ant. Tart., liac. Jump.,IIiid. tyuhmur.,
Pulv. Potaxs., or Pil. Hhei.; and was, there-
fore, careful how she ventured to compound,
lest a fatal mistake should follow through her
ignorance. Sad occurrences of this nature
often took place, ^ho knew they were quite
common ; but as she was known to ])e extreme-
ly ])articular, and very cautious about touch-
ing drugs, she was trusted in this respect
more than any other person in the establish-
ment. There were a few simi)les, however,
which she could venture to handle. Dmtor
Marks liad these placed so as to be within
reach at any time ; and as swiatives were often
required, she as often pnspared them without
reference to her principal. While her atten-
dant was engaged at a little distance, Mrs.
Pinkley drew from her bosom a snaill pack-
age, and took from it one of a number of
small papers folded up like those continuing
medical powders ; she then emptied a f;^w
graios oi' a white substance into a buttlo.

EXKTER HALL.

then pnurrd in pome wator, adJctl a littlo
colorintr, nhudk all up, and, haviujr corked the
botth), liandcd it to the woman.

"You S('(\ Nancy, I leaver a >rood deal to
you at times. I told the doctor that I liave
great conlidenco in you, and your iillowance
is to be increitsed from the Ix-jriiuiinj,'' of next
month ; lie did ho on my recomnundation,
and I can do more for you yet. I'm sorrv I
have to po out ajjain; I want you to look
after No. 1!), jjivo lier thi.s in about an
hour's time ; set> that she takes it — now don't
forget ; here, tatie this too." And she handed
Mrs. Jenkins, t!ie nurse, a half crown, and left
a sedative for one ])atient which was intended
to heal mental and buddy ailments forever.

While Mrs. I'iiikley was engaged outside,
Doctor Marks examined the contents of the
Tiaper which slie left on his tabic;. He touched
Lis tongue to the white powder, Ik; then ap-
plied a chemical test, and was satisfied tliat
arsenic had been taken or adnunistered. lie
folded up tlu! jiaper, laid it carefully in a
drawer and locked it up ; but ho thought it
useless to prepare an antidote, as no doid)t
the potent poison had already don(! its work.

Mrs. Pinkley was now ready, and they
went away together to the liouse of death';
but before tlu^y were hidden in the gloom of
the dark street, they were watched and
followed by the mau who Lad been looking
in at the window.

The largo front door of the Home was
again securely bolted, the keeper heard their
departure ; he now stootl in the long hall close
to the lamp, and was examining the contents
of a small folded paper which lie had ])icked
up. The light shone full upcm his face, ilis
]daying sharp, shrewd features, evidently
thost! of an aciive, intelligent man. Having
satisfied himself with the scrutiny, he put tlu;
paper carefully in his jiocket, and' went (piick-
ly to the upp(>r apartments. Looking closely
into a little recess near Mrs. Pinkley 's private
room, he withdrew a key ; this lieapi>iied to
the lock of the adj.iiuing chamber, the bolt
flew back. In; moved quietly away, and in a
few moments the])atlent, known in the Home
as No. IS), stood in the passage ; and while
there, the same melancholy voici; which was
heard almost continually recommenced its
doleful iiloiidings for mercy. In the dim
light she lo<<ko(l like a midnight spectre. She
wore the dark dr.^ss allott(;d to the female pa-
tieiitsof Doct(<r ^Marks's establishment, her hair
was partly loose, and her face deadly pale,
while her faltering step indicated greait f(;el)le-
ness. She h)ok(;d anxiously after the k(!eper,
as Hie went slowly on before her, and, by
placing one hand against the wall, she
managed to follow him through the long
hall, then slowly down a back-stairs, at the
foot of which she was obliged to take his
arm, and in a few steps more she was con-
ducted into the private reception-room of the
Home.

It was a n(>at, carpeted apartment, w»^ll-
lighted up. Oh ! how the cheerful fire, the
papered walls, the pictures and polished
furniture reminded her of a home now almost
rcniote in her memory. She sat uixm a sofa,
a dimness grew before her eyes, and she

could scarcely see. She had not as yet per-
ceived any ixTson, and when her hand waa
gently raised from where it hung by her
side, and when slu; heard the mellow, tremu-
lous, sym])atliizing voict; of a fiieml — a voice
she must have heard iiefore — she leaned back
and sob!^e(l iiitifiilly, like a child ; and then,
when slu; found her sight restored, and when
she looked jileiulingly upward anxious to dis-
cover a cominissioiiate face, Martin Maniior^
stood before her trying to hide his manly
tears.

" Dear lady, how I have pitied you — how I
have sought after you for dreary nionths, ))ut
I have found you at last. What a gratifica-
tion it is to know that even in this place, even
in this prison, you have so far escaped the
designs of your i>erse(!utors. I ain indebtt*.!
for a knowledgi; of your existence here, and
for this intervi(;w, to a generous friend who
has devoted his time and his means for the
jiurpose of counteracting the vile projei ts of
an inhuman man. You have had a sad trial,
yet with your restoration you may but find
another grief. Oh! that with lilxTty 1 could
bring you hap])y tidings. How am 1 to tell
you all ? Alas ! I may but darken your exis-
tence, and cause you to wish for the deep sleep
which knows no waking. But still you must
live ; there is one who will t ill hiok iij) to y «u
and call you 'mother' — for her sake youuiitst
mak(; an ettbrt."

" For 7u'r sake, did you say ?" said the
startled wcmian, who now stood up and
looked with intense earnestness into the face
of Mr. Mannors, " for her sake ! Ah I think,
kind friend, there are two pretty ones. Yes,
I will live for my children ! Vov lipr sake,
say you"? What of my boy, my pretty child
— there are two, kind friend — what of my
darling boy? Oh! tell me, tell me all, or I
will go mad at last." Slie seized Mr. Manuors
by the ann and trembled violently.

" Good God ! you make no rcjdy. Heaven
pity me now I O my child ! my child ! my
bo_v — can it be this at last 't"

" I do pity you, poor lady, we all pity j'ou ;
but you can live for one — we trust that one is
still left."

She could hear no more ; the black sliadows
of woe gathered ai'ound hei% and she was
about to sink in a swoon before him. She
was just able to exclaim, " Oh! that this were
death !" and then fell heavily at his feet.*

" Hark ! she i)rays fox deatli — he is near, for
here is his messenger. Come, nurse, grant her
recpiest."

Mr. Mannors was startled, the deep stillness
of the few preceding moments totally unpre-
pared him for this interruption. He turne<l
around, the keeper stood looking in from the
door, the nurse was by his side, and she held
the bottle of medicine which Mrs. Pinkley
left with her to be administered. The woman
seemed rather timid, she hesitated, but the
keeper was urgent.

" Come, nurse, you may bo too late — I was
told to remind you. If a spark of life ri;maius,
you have that which will do death good ser-
x-ice. See, we brought her down here for you ;

* See Note J.

.■A

i'
, 1

160

EXETER HALL.

J*"?

1 if- '-1

,:r^^

r, I

!r ;.'n^

'twill sa\e trouble — she will be nearer her
grave. Psl^a ! woman, are you afear'd ? what
will Mrs. Pinkley say ?"'

The v.onuxu was bewildered ; what did it
all nieuu V She looked from one to the other
for ar. explanation ; she did not know that
there was u stranjjer in the house at that
time of nioht, ai^d could not account for the
Bcene before her. Ju^", lii'-ii the back en-
trance of the Jiouse was opened, and another
stranf^er entered — he Vtus a stout, ;>lain-look-
ing man. Slie began to grow afraid, and lest
the bottle should fall from her liana, the
keeper tc-ok it from h( r. The person who l^ad
last come in was Robert, the trusty servant
of Mr. Manners, who had been acting as a
detective, and slie felt relieved when she was
called to assist iu placing tlie lady upon the
' sofa. Restoratives were immediately applied,
and while the poor lady still seemed in a kind
of 8tui)or, she was carefully attended. The
mirse, upon being questioned, acknowledged
that Mrs. Pinkley had given her the bottle,
that she had mixed the medicine, and had
cautioned her particularly to get the patient
in No. 19 to take it as a draught that night.
She declared that she did not know herself
what the bottle contained, only that she was
told it was a " draught."

" 'Twou'id bo a final draught," said the
keeper ; " but I rather guess we'll keep it for
the benefit of some one elise. Now, nurse. I'm
in coniniand here at present ; I want you to
take good care of that lady, we are just going
to the doctor's study for a few minutes ; I will
send 'n one of the other women to stay with
you ; we will be back soon." He then left the
room, Mr. Manners and Robert followed, bat
he was cautious to lock the doors, and take the
keys, so tliat none could find egress from the
establisliment.

Ever since his wife had been placed in the
Home, it was the custom of Mr. Manners to
visit the asylum about once every week ; his
daughter and Hannah often acconii)ani(,'d him —
eometimes they went thereby themselves dur-
ing tlie intervening time. He luid this day paid
liis usual visit ; Robert was with him, and he re-
mained in conversation with the doctor longer
than he generally did on other occasions. He
was anxious to see the kteper-^he did not let
the doctor know this — but that altendaut had
received permission to go out that evening,
and had nut yet returned. It was nearly dark
before Mr. Manners left the ])hic(!, and they
had pi>ic(;e(h',d but a short distance when they
met Siiniucl Styles, the very person for whoiii
they had been waiting at the Home. He had
been running fast, and was nearly out of
breath. He looked excited, and during his:
quick respiration he hurriedly communicated
Bomethiug which seemed to affect his hearers
and to decide Mr. Mannors to return with him
at once to the Home.

" Uhe is away now, she line only just got
there. I know slu^'U be back soon for the
doctor — she must tell hiui; sin.- won't U\]\ tiu3
detectives — but I've already done that for her,
I've just Ihh'u at the station — they've scented
blood already. I'll just run ahead, you fol-
low ; I can let you in privately, and we'll boo
■what turns up."

It must have occurred to the reader that
Samuel Styles was the new ke(!per at the
Home. From the moment that he became de-
termined vT counteract and expose the plans of
Doctor Buster, he was, to use his own word.s,
" continually upon his track," and he spared
neither time nor pains to obtain all necessary
information, or at least such as could be got
by the most artful expedients. Ry means of
the memorandum which Doctor Buster liad
ca relet -'y I'^st, together with the advertisement
taken from the Times, a sufficient cue was ob-
tained to lead to the important discovery that
the moderator's wife was immured in the pri-
vate ngylum of Dr. Marks. By his good
address, he managed to secure the situation of
keeper imder the name of Staples, and subse-
quently, by great tact, secured the high opin-
ion and good-will of an important personage,
Mrs. Pinkley, who was the principal female
attendant at the Home. In a few days, with-
out causing the least suspicion, he learned the
ins and outs of the whole place. Tlie female
patients were kept in the upper rooms; he
soon discovered the occupant of No. 19, and
managed to establish a communicaticm with
her by which she was encouraged to be hope-
ful, and assured her that she had one watchful
friend, who merely waited for an opportu-
nity to secure her freedom and punish her
oppressor. Dr. Marks he found to be an
easy-going man, considerate enough ; but Mrs.
Pinkley was callous and indifferent to the
sufferings of others, particularly to those of her
own sex. The patient in No. 19 was kept
within hearing of the most violent lunatics,
as if to hurry her to madness, and the dreary
wailings of Mrs. Mannors could be heard by
her almost continually ; in fact, h"alri'iidy de-
tected that the treatment she had received
was specially intended to shorten her exist-
ence.

Having made the discovery in the asylum,
his next object was to ascertain whether Doc-
tor Buster's children were in the actual charge
of Mrs. Pinkley. According to his engage-
ment, however, his time was rather limited ;
his hours of duty wen; from nine o'clock a.m.
until four I'.AI., during the day, and fn mi six r.M.
until midnight. He was reipiired to confine
himself strictly to the Home during the night,
bu*- the hf)ur8 between four and six in the
afternoon might be spent either in or out of
the jdace, as he liked ; special ptMinis^ion was
necessary to enable him to leave the Home at
any othertime. Mrs. Pinkley "s residence was
but a short distance from i\w asylum ; through
the influence of Doctor Buster, she had
the privilege of lodging in her own house
after a certain hour at night, unless some ur-
gent case reipiired her attention. Her nightly
absence, however, enabled the new keeper to
make his most important diseoveit^ and
often after midnight, when oft" duty.ljistead
of seeking repose, he would steal out, C()ntrary
to ruli^J, and if he saw* no light, or heard no
sound about her place, he wop.ld listen, to try
and find whether Bhe8h'i)t, anil then he would
speculate upon the nature of her dreams ero
he returned to indulge in his own.

Anxious to gain admittance to Mrs. Pink-
loy's house, ho once or twice succeeded in bo-

ider that
?r at tlio
;caiue do-
1 piling of
in words,
10 spared
necessary
Id be got
means of
nster liad
•rtisement
Hi was ob-
ivery that
n the pri-
his good
tnation of
nd subse-
ligh opin-
jersonage,
lal femiilo
ays, with-
farnedtho
ho female
ooms; he
(). 19, and
ition with

be hope-
3 watchful

1 opportu-
lunish her

to bo an
I ; but Mrs.
3nt to the
hose of her
was kept
it lunatics,
the dreary

loard by
iidy do-
received

ler exist-

EXETER HALL.

iln

asylum,
lei- Doc-

il charge
engage-
limited ;

lock AM.

im six r.M.

) cunfine

lie niglit,
X in tho

or out of

^♦sion was
Home at

h'uw. was

; through
slie had

vn house
some ur-

'!■ lUghtly
kiH'per to
and
tead
, ooTfitrary
heard no
en, to try
ho would
earns ovo

llrs. Pink-
led in be-

coming tho bearer of a message to her from
Doctor Marks ; but though she did not mis-
trust, she was very guarded, and baffled every
eflfort he made to gain admittance — she was
are to meet him at the door, and keep him
outside until she sent her answer. He saw
that it would not do to excite her suspicion ;
this might destroy his plans. At last, it struck
him that by watching from the .Tewisli ceme-
tery opposite her house, he might be able to
discover who \vero the actual members of
Mrs. Pinkloy's household, and ])erhaps ascer-
tain at what particular time Doctor Buster
paid his vibits.

Day after day, then, the keeper visited the
cemetery, and faithfully spent Ids two leisure
hours watching Mrs, Pinkley's house. The
door was always kept shut, tho lower windows
were closely screened, and the ujiper ones liad
half-curtains. Once when she was out, the
upper curtains were put aside, and he saw
three persons — Bessy and the two children.
The next day he came disguised and with a
basket of toys ; he did not go into tlie c(;me-
tery, but loitered at a corner of tlu? street until
he saw Mrs. Pinkloy leave the house ; he hur-
ried to the door and rapped, and the girl,
thinking that her mistress had perhaps for-
gotten something and had returnee, opened
it ; the peddler pushed hii way in, but, as the
children were upstairs, and silent as usual, he
merely asked a few questions, looked sharply
around tlu? ])lace, and then left, lest by some
chance he might bo discovi?red.

Lately, liow<>ver, he had not seen Doctor
Buster. What could have dcitained him V
Were the rumors of his suspected visits
after all but an envious scandal V Night and
day, for mon; than o week, ho had b(>en closely
watched, but so far his shadow had nevt^r
darkened th(^ doorway. The kc^ejier was non-
plussed. Was ho watched himself? and had
some churchyard imp given the doctor a
timely warning ? His fears, however, were in
this respect ill-founded. The devoted moder-
Rt-^r was away at the time, ostensibly upon a
visitation to certain churches or congregations
as a Y)oace-maker. Sometimes even when;
prayers and sermons are most plenty the
enemy of souls will intrude, and children of
the shrae church will wrangle, and lamlis of
tlie same fold will lose their spirituality and
become like ravening wolves, nuvdy to devour
each other, and ])i()us i>astors will desert a
congregation for one more deserving of their
sympathies ; who can s.iy whether tin; fn>sh
"caU " is so ]>romptly ans\V(MTd because a sti-
pend is to be incroascid. or bi^cause others are
in greater spiritual destituti(m? Anyway,
tho call is generally answered, old ties arc^
rudely bundered, piistors often leave their old
flocks to take euro of themselves, and the
moderator had often much to do to suppress
schism, to kei^p the sheep from wandering
away into oth( r folds, and to reconcile de
sorted sinners t.) their temporary abandon-
ment.

At last he came! The koe])er was again
In tho ciimetery. it was a glocmiy evening and
drawing toward dusk. He saw Doctor Buster
outer th(! house ; after a short time lie heard
a Hcroam, he rushed toward the place. Mrs.

Pinkley, who also heard the scream, had just
got in before him, and in her alarm neglected
to fasten the door. He followed, he heard
her reproaches, and witnessed the scene of
blf)od which sent him shuddering away.

It was long past midnight, tho afflicted
lady in the parlor of the Home still lay almost
unconscious upon tho sofa. The thr<>e men
yet remained in Doctor Marks's study. Samuel
Stylos had given Mr. Mannors a full accfuint
of iiow he had acted since his engagement as
keeper, and how his last fortunate discovery
was tho attempt to administer poison, which
Avas to have been made that night. There
was the bottle, its contents could be easily
tested, and there was the additional pa]ier of
white powder which he h:,;l picked up in the
hall, and which had "leer dropped by Mrs.
Pinkley at the time he v.>w stnrtled by the
premonitory words tu' Mrs. M^unors, for it
was she who spoka.

The relation of thopo things, tog(!ther -with
the events of the day, had a saddening effect
upon all, and now thev sit demurely in the
stillness of tho night, 11. loning to tho bleak,
wintry winds which rush and moan around
the building, and make tho long poplars sigh
mournfully in the desolate cemetery. Th(5y are
tiro used! Footsteps and voices are heard at
the door, the night bell resounds tlirougli the
silent building. They enter — not Doctor
Ma'-ks alone — Mrs. Pinkley with droojied head
is safely escorted by two detectives ! She
enters the study, and stares wildly at the men
who are there to meet her. They look at her
now in silence. Ha! she knows that lace —
'tis tho infidel ' She turns to tlie keeper, slie
frowns, she scowls, her hand is clinched, and
she bites her lip. Oh ! could she but force
him now to swallow the contents of that bot-
tle. But ho holds it out at arm's length, and
exhibits the paper of poison. '" See," ho ex-
claims, " she is saved !"

" Saved !" She stt/od i^rect before him as if
suddenly petrified. A deadly pallor ovor-
sjiread her face. " SaV(;d !" She was j^tow-
ing very faint. Was .he lost herself? She
revived again, and her hopeles.s, wandering
gaze rested upon Mr. Mannors. " Yes, 'tis
but, :in infidel plot — I see it all now — a vile
jilot, Doctor Marks, an infamous He. But I
am weary, and 'tis very late. Let me i-st
here to-night, let me think, and I will pros ,t
all tit-morrow."

Tlu! gray dawn of the wintry morning
stoh; in through the curtained window of a
small ujiper room in tire Homo, and, as the
light slowly increased and struggled for ad
mittauce, tho <lim outlines of a cliair, a table,
and a bedst(\ad could just be discovered
Every thing was still ; a.nd, as tho light grow
stronger, an emptv cup c/uld l)o setni on tho
table and the muffled fonii of a w(!aried sloepei
on the bed. But now tlio stilmc^ss is broken,
and a voice at a sl\ort distance wails out, " Lost,
lost, lost." It is nuiet again, and not the
faiut(\st sound of breathing can bo lioard.
What a lethargy ! Even tho drowsy watcher
outside tho rormi door is listening to tho silence.
Still tho torpid form lies stretched upim the
bed — it never mov(>s — its last breath has boon
drawn. Ah ! how hud death entered ? The

EXETER HALL.

'■ i:

M \

'' ^^:t

fatal draught had at last been given ! and —
Mrs. Pinklcy had made her escape.

CHAPTER XXXIIL

There wag to be a public inquest at the
Home ! one unlike any that had ever taken
place there before. A posse of ignorart ju-
rors would soon be assembled ; they might
take it into their heads to extend their judi-
cial privileges, and to go tramping tlirough
the wliole place, causing confusion ; and after
that, their blundering verdict might bring fi-
nancial ruin upon the entire establisliment.
It was very provoking to one of Doctor Marks's
staid and precise respectability. He was
very mucli agitated, he felt himsclt singular-
ly compromised, and that his position W(juld
be considered rather questionable. He was
already conscience-striclien. Danger seemed to
be looming up around him. Was he not lia-
ble to be accused as being au accomplice in a
shameful system of persecution toward one
who had been placed in his power? Would
.he not be looked upon as one so thoroughly
ibase, as to have acted in cooperation with a
'heartless, infamous woman, in order to carry
' Gilt an inhuman design, or for the sake of the
paltry sum which was to be the reward of
•systematic cruelty ? Friends of the ])atients,
and other persons who had already called and
obtained admission that morning were, he
thought, rather shy toward him ; and, as he
went about from place to place, ho was fol-
lowed by curious eyes, and in imagination
public curiosity seemed to be already drifting
into public suspicion. In this trying time, he
had scarcely a single friend in wli')m he could
confide, and he was obliged to assume a calm
demeanor while he was agitated by wild and
conflicting emotions. Oh ! how he could have
cursed his own pliability and that clerical
impostor whose specious piety had lured him
into this vortex of trouble. He was very anx-
ious ; as yet there was no accusatior made
against him, l)ut he felt every moment as if
the hand of justice was about to be laid on
his shoulder. What if some vile endeavor
should be made to blast his prosjiects ? What
if his patients should see that stitl'encd body
lying in the hall, and should get startltid
back to sanity at the night of its distorted fea
tures? There was trouble on every side, and
his hopes, and his honor, and his respectabili-
ty seemed to have almost withered away.
The t((rrible news of the murder and i)()ison-
ingof the jirevious evening hud been hru'd
all over the city, an*d early i.i thii day a crowd
of i(ll(! persons had assembled outside the
Home, in ex]M!ctath)n of being able to get
a chance sight of the notcil woiuan who was
suppohcd to be the ui'cuniplici; of Doctor
Buster, if not, indeed, the very ])rincipiil in
the horrid crimi! which hud Ix'en coinniitted.
Alnsatly several i)alliuting ciriuunstances and
many excuses were framed in beleilf of tii(>
reverend moderator ; and a number of sturdy
Christians were (juite jjrepariMl to assert tluvt
Doctor Buster could not possibly be guilty of

a crime, but that it was a deep-laid plot, an
infidel design, against a well-known servant
of the Lord. The blind confidence of the pi-
ous woidd not be easily shaken, and soon as
the religious papers made their appearance
they would defend him in thunder tones and
hurl defiance at his accusers. Large bail was
promptly tendered, and he was still at liberty.

Any way, there was to be a j udicial exa-
mination. Mrs. Plnkley, and Doctor Buster,
and Samuel Styles, and otliers would be
brought fiice to face at the police court. It
would be a feast for tlie press, and reporters
made early preparations so as to be able to
send full accounts to their respective papers.
Doctor Marks had pledged himself for the ap-
pearance of Mrs. Pinkley before the magistrates
or at an inquest, and as a matter of greater
security, two detectives wore to have her un-
der surveillance ; she should get no chance to
slip away. The investigation was to take place
in the forenoon, and other officers of j ustice had
already arrived at the Home for the "purpose of
procuring certain witnesses and to conduct
the accused to the legal tribunal.

Tliey had been waiting there for some time,
the hours passed quickly ; punctuality was ne-
cessary, and there could not be much further
delay. It was, however, very late when the
accused woman liad been ])ermitted to retire ;
no doubt she had great need of rest — that is, if
repose were possible to one in her position.
The detectives watched in turn outside her
room during the night. It was now nine
in the morning, and she had not yet made her
appearance, neither could the officer who kept
watch at the time hear the least sound of pre-
paration. Excitement, shame, and mortifica-
tion must have kept her awake during the
night, and heavy sleep must have at last over-
powered her. But justice could not wait — it
is a petulant thing. Minos or Hadamanthus
would brook no delay. Ate stood claiming re-
tribution, and should she not have it ?

Is not the justice of Christian civilization
more rigid in its demands ? It is ever eager
for its prey, it is righteous ; vengeance is its
handmaid, and reformation is but a step-
daughter which it elbows aside to be nurtureil
by visionary philantrhopists. It must feel no
l)ity — tears can not attect its purity ; they may
drop unheeded forever upon its marble bosom ;
the quality of mercy might be degrading to
its dignity. It must have no human sympa-
thies. It frowns upon the wretched culprit in
the dungeon ; and when its decret! has gout;
forth, when even hifinnn life is the sacrifice to
be laid upon its altar, it will nut waver. It
can heed no natural emotion, but it will stalk
away from the scatlbld with haughty tread,
severe brow, and fingers drii)i»ing in gore" —
for, alas ! is it not more nol)le than huniiuiity'?
Ah I who is to arraign justice for its cruelties?
Who is to blot out its texts and statutes of
l>]ood? Who is to stop its legalized atroci-
ties forever ?

As yet, there was no stir in Mrs. Pinkley's
room ; the detectives rapped — there was fi )
reply. A \yoman was sent for to deujnjid
iulmittanc(i and to hurry her (mt ; nnd
though the womau rapped and cilh-d lur<iily
and long enough, still ao answer camo ; the

EXETER HALL.

168

lid plot, an
wn servant

of tho pi-
nd soon aa
appearance
r tones and
ge bail was

1 at liberty,
idicial exa-
ctor Buster,

would be
3 court. It
id reporters

be able to
tive papers,
f for the ap-
maofistrates
r of greater
ave her ur-
lo chance to
to take place
f j ustico had
c purpose of

to conduct

(r some time,
ality was ne-
luch further
to when the
x'd to retire ;
?t — that is, if
lior position,
outside her
18 now nine
yet made her
per who kept
3()uiid of pre-
ud mortitica-
5 during the
i at lastover-
not wait — it
adamanthua
daiming re-
■e it -i

civilization
lis ever eager
Igeance is its
l)ut a step-
1)0 nurtured
must feel no
y ; they may
Vble bosom ;
h'gniding to
jnuiu sympa-
leil culprit in
•ce hiis gtine
|e sacritice to
waver. It
it will stalk
iglity tread,
>• in g(n'0' —
|i luiniiuiity?
,ts cvui'lties'?^
stilt utcs of
li/,oil atroci-

i-s. Pinkley'H

liero wart n >

to deiHiuid

<mt ; and

,l!ed iuf*tily

Ir came ; the

sleeper was not aroused, and, after many other
unsuccessful attempts had been made, tlie of-
ficers grew impatient and suspicious, the door
was burst open, and when the nurse entered
and uncovered tho sleeper's face she started
back in aft'right — behold, Mrs. Pinkley was
dead!

The discovery was quite shocking ; the ex-
citement throughout the place was very great.
Those who had assembled outside the house
were much disappointed ; they became clam-
orous and unruly, and tried to gain admission ;
they were anxious to see the Jezebel living
or dead, and when they could not succeed in
effecting an entrance, they muttered curses
against her who had eluded justice.

Doctor Marks was agitated, the keeper
seemed confounded, and maids, nurses, and
attendants appeared frightened or bewildered.
There were ominous whispers among visitors ;
there were strange preparations ; tho frown-
ing corpse was stretched out in the long hall —
it did not receive tender handling — there was
no solemnity. The curious gazed with unfeel-
ing eye, tho timid stood aloof, and, while it
lay uncared for in the glof)m, messengers were
dispatched for the coroner.

In consequence of this unexpected act in
the drama, the magistrates who had as-
•sembled in order to hold a preliminary exam-
ination had to adjourn. Three inquests were
to be held that day, and Doctor Buster might
perhapa be able to have another day or two to
prepare his defense, and to bless and pray for
his sympathizing friends. They came in a
little crowd ; he was again in the pleasant
parh)r of his reverend friend, Mr. Campbell,
and, though he was but slightly flushed,
and to all appearance perfectly resigned
to meet what certain pillars of the church
called his fresh ordeal of persecution, those
,only who looked at him sharply could dc!tect
tlie traces of great anxiety which were visible
on his countenance. But he mauiiged,
however, to receivt^ th(! numerous visits of
clerical ai 1 legal friends, and to snule.benig-
nantly upnu dowagers, si)insters, and otluT
sigliiug sisters who came to profter their stock
of pious sympathy.

Yet all this could not last, he was again
alone. He said he needed a littlt; rest, and so
lie did ; but when alone, then came his brood-
ing thoughts, tlu! most cheerless and harass-
ing of all intrud(>rs. What dire di'spoiulency
they l)rought ! Could it l)e that sh" with
whom he had so cheerFully conversed the
previous day, before whom he had laid liis
future plans, was already a suicide, lying
perhaps at that very moment under tlie cold
gaze of an investigating jury 'i Oh ! that un-
fortunate blow ; and as lie looked down at his
right hand, he could have wished it witliered
frmii Ills arm. Si ill he felt but little renior:je
for the death ol his child, but he i'elt a deep
dread of liopeless loneliness. His mainstay
had been cut down. Within the short period
of one wintry day. his future had been blasted,
and his shrewd, luiprinciph'd, courageous con-
fident had been balluHl. Imttled, overreached,
and driven to destruction. And «hen he
then almost met tho calm, defiant look of
Martin Mannor.^. and almost heard the re-
proaciies of his outraged wife, and when in

the terror of imagination he beheld tho ])ros-
trate form of his paramour, and saw the fixed
stare of her sightless eyes, and saw her
clenched hands, compressed lips, and distorted
features, the very shadow of death seemed to
encompass him — he shrunk and crouched in
horror and dismay, and wished for sudden
annihilation.

An hour of misery had passed — how he
dreaded the future! He could find no rest.
Were he only secure of being left alone, and
within reach of some strong opiate, ho
might bo tempted to follow her who ,had
proved so resolute in self-destruction. Even
then he admired her infamous courage — con-
rage which his overbearing disposition could
not, however, equal. She, in possession of her
faculties, took the desperate plunge when she
saw no chance of escape. He might be aroused
to do so were his senses sufficiently blunted,
and were he satisfied that his infamy was
about to be detected and exposed. Still his
love of life was strong ; as yet he stood fair in
the eyes of many — he was one of God's minis-
ters — and many scoffed at the accusation.
They demanded proof — where was the evi-
dence ? It was but an infamous plot — they
dreaded no investigation.

But the doctor did dread such a proceeding ;
it could not be now avoided. He was still in
deep thought ; there was a faint ray of hope,
and he clung to this like a drowning mariner
to a plank. " What is the evidence ? who is
to prove against me? The lunnpback alone
saw the blow, but her account is settled.
Poor Fan did not see me, but she knew all —
she too is beyond their reach. Then who is
to j)roveV Law is law, they must convict
legally. A man's life should not hang upon
mere circumstantial evidence. Who is to tes-
tify ?" He pondered for a few moments ; his
emotions of hope and fear quickly came and
went, bringing assurance or despondency, and
were as visible on his face as freaks of light-
ning across a thundercloud in the darkness of
midnight. But suddenly the mental illusion
disappeared ; his hopes again seemed pros-
trated. Was there not another present when
the blow was struck'? Had not Alice seen
all ? Would it not be dreadful were his own
child obliged to speak in evidence against
him '? He was struggling again with despair,
and he almost writhed in mental torture.
Yet oncti more there came a flickering of hope.
He started — whei-e was Alice'? In the midst
of his own troubles, he had never given her a
tliought ! Where was she '? he felt but litC'^
doubt of her safety, but could she not be put
beyond thi^ reach of his ferocious inquisitors?
Could she not be tutored lo lie — to deny all
knowledge of the fatal blow ? Could .?h" not
be sent away, or confined, or any thirg— ho
did not care what, so as she could be kept out
of sight '! Ay, in this despt'rate case, and in
his present mood, he wouhl not objer't to liava
j her strangled, were he only able to find an
accomi)lice ; but the trusty hand that might
have lent him ready aid was now powerless
forever.

The accused man was in nn extremity ; time

was i)re8sing, he would bo obliged to appear

' that afternoon or early next day at the in-

' quest which was lo bo held over tho body of

164

EXETER HALL.

I.:

frM;

his own son and also over that of the poor
humpbacked girl. The sudden death of Mrs.
Pinkley had caused delay. Fortunately, he
•was not required to appear at the asylum;
but no plea of indisposition, nor any other
plea whatever could save him from a horrid
notoriety ; he would be forced to attend, ho
would have to view the remains of his dead
child, and to meet his accusers face to face.
Sti]l he could do all this, he could view his
bloody work without a shudder ; yes, he could
go and boldly defy all, could he but get Alice
out'of the way ; that girl shoiild he disposed
of, and it should be done at once.

She must be found, no matter when, or
where, or how. Caution required, however,
that he should not appear too anxious con-
cerning this matter before others. Then whom
could he trust ? Where could he get one to
be faithful and to do his bidding? He would
pay a princely price for the work ; ho had
ample funds, for on the previous day, antici-
pating the happy flight he expected to take
with Mrs. Pinkley, he drew a thousand
pounds upon the indorsement of the Rev. An-
drew Campbell. With a full purse and a
willing agent, he ought to be able to do much ;
where could he find the right person ? Stay !
he feels relieved, he has been trying to think
who among the faithful was worthy of his
confidonce at this critical time — he feels again
assured. Tliere is anotlier gleam of hope, he
lias hit upon the right one — he has found an
ally he would send at once for Bross.

The inquest at the Home was over ; it was a
tedious post-mortem case, but, after all, the
jurors had not much to do. The evidence was
direct, and went to prove that the late princi-
pal female attendant of the Home had retired
at a certain hour on the previous night ap-
parently in good health, it might be a little
weak or fatigued, and that in the morning ahe
liad boon found de 1 in her bed. It was i)roved
that the cup found upon her table contained
arsenical sediment, that she had taken such
poison, and that several small j)apers of the
same substance had been found in a private
drawer in her room. Every thing went to
prove an evil intention on her part. Her de-
sign upon tl^f life of a female patient in the
asylum was made manifest. It was tliere-
foro believed that she had taken poison to es-
cape the legal penalty for murder ; the verdict
■was in accordance, and in the eyes of many
the case looked brighter for Doctor Buster.

There were loiterers around another door !
How gloomy the place seemed I It might
have been caused by the cold shadows of the
tall, leafless trees in the cemetery across the
way. It was chilly, and the wintry wind howl-
ed mournfully through the branches. Look
in ! There they still lay — the boy in his gore,
and the poor girl with a placid smile on her
worn features, but stamped there in the marble
rigidity of death. Her untold, her unpitied
sufferings had ceased, and her little term of
patient endurance had endtnl. There were
sighs of rciil ])ity ; many of the strong men
who stood silently around could have sIumI
honest tears ; and there were womc'u present
— pious ones, too — who could have prayed, but
to what purpose? They might pray, it

would bo but a formal riuttcr'ng. Prayer
without faith, like a body without a soul,
would be dead. In these latter days, when
organizations for prayer are so numerous, pe-
titions may constantly ascend, but the most or-
thodox never hope for a notable miracle. The
dead may bo raised at the general judgment,
but not sooner. The inspired word might be
true, and its promises very cheerful and con-
soling, but, alas ! these promises may be now
read by the most confident Christian, and there
is still a sad' lack of faith. Of what avail are
those which eay, " Verily, I say unto you, that
whosoever shall say unto this mountain. Be
thou removed and bo thou cast into the s(;a,
and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall be-
lieve that those things which he saith shall
come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he
saith. Tliertifore I say unto you, What tlungs
soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that yo
receive them, and ye shall have them."
Mark 11 : 23, 24.

" These signs shall folloAV them that be-
lieve : In my name shall they cast out devils ;
they shall speak with new tongues ; they
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it sliall not hurt them ; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover." Mark 16 : 17, 18.

" Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that
believeth on me, the works that I do shall he
do also : and greater iw/'A'sthan these shall he
do, because I go unto my Father — and what-
soever ye shall ask in mv name, that I will do."
John 14 : 12, 13. ^

" If two of you shall agree on earth as touch-
ing any thing that they shall ask, it shall be
done for them of my Father which is in
heaven." Matt. 18 : 19.

It is asserted that these and other scriptural
promises are apidicable for all time. VVliero
are the true believers V Where are they, even
among the earthly sanctified, who can truly
accept these promises, whose faith in them
never falters? The lip may utter its pray(;r,
yet the lieart has no hope. The inspired
promises may be read, but the church must
have degenerated. Our Israel has not the
faith of the ancient saints. At the present
day, faith will neither walk upon the water,
remove the mountain, nor raise the dead.
Lazarus might have been called from the
tomb ; Jairus might have had his little
daughter restored ; the widow of Nain might
have been weeping near the city gate, and
following in the mournful i)roces8ion which
bore her only son to the grave ; her sobs
might liave suddenly ceased, and she might
have been permitted to clasp his living form
once more to her bosom. He who is t<uid to
have done these works also said to his dis-
ciples, that those who had faith in him should
perfi)rm greater. Has that word lost its
power, or is faith in it merely theoretical ?
Who now can raise the dt'ad? — There they
lie I let the miracle be performed. See that
girl ! bring back the smile again to her wan
face, and let the pulsations of her loving
heart return. Bcianimate that little form, and
give back the boy to his wf^eping motlier.
Alas! they move not! Of what worth are
these assurances? to what intent? Neither

EXETER HALL.

1C5

f. Prayer
nt a soul,
Liya, when
lerous, pe-
je moat or-
acle. The
judjjment,
I niijjht bo
1 and con-
ivy be now
, and there
t avail are
oyou, that
mntaiu. Be
to the BOft,
t shall be-
saith shall
.tsoover he
/'hat things
eve that yo
ive them."

n that be-
out devils ;
gues ; they
r drink any
hem ; they
they shall

Li. He that
do shall he
lese shall he
—and wliat-
it I will do."

th as touch -
, it shall be
irhich is in

3r scriptural
lie. Where
e they, even

can truly
th in them

its praycsr,
ho inspired
III roll must
as not the
the present

1 the water,
the dead.

1 from the
his little
ain might
[v gate, and
ision wliicli
; her sobs
sht' might
iving form
is naid to
to his dis-
him should
l)rd lost its
Lhcoretical 'I
[TlH.'ro they
8tH! that
,o her wan
her loving
|le form, and
g motlier.
wortli are
V Neither

promise, nor prayer, nor faith hath power to
do this thing! Even those who still cling to
belief hope not for a miracle, neither for the
restoration of such as these. Their faith may
be " the substance of things hoped for, the evi-
dence of things not seen ;" yet though they ac-
knowledge no existing doubt, they must feel
content to wait for the actual evidence until
the " last great day."

All w(?re in waiting. Doctor Buster came
with rather reluctant steps. The minister of
St. Andrew's and members of the church —
wealthy members, too — followed, prepared to
renew their bonds foi tlie moderator were it
neccst*ary. Legal friends came also, who
could cross-question, perplex, and almost de-
molish the evidence of any ordinary witness.
Every arrangement had been made to give aid
and comfort to one so wantonly harassed and
accused. The doctor entered ; the place was
familiar, but she was not there to greet him.
There were strange faces — the coroner and his
assistants, police otRcers and jurors — who look-
ed suspiciously at him, as if eager to give the
verdict which he feared. There were others,
perhaps accusers or witnesses ; and now, while
he tried to assume the air of an injured man
and to a])i)('ar greatly affected, he looked
searchingly around for one girlish countenance.
He could not see it, neither was that dreaded
infidel present. Hope came again and grew
stronger. He could look with comparative in-
ditFerence upon that other little face, bruised
and blackened, that was there before him — yes,
he could look, for Alice was not there whose
living visage ho feared still more to behold.
A great point was gained. Brosa must have
received his mi^ssage, and acted i)roniptly.
His daughter Alice was not th.3re, thanks, no
doubt, to Bross. He began to breathe more
freely, and to feel himself saved.

The jurors were sworn, they went to view
the bodies, and the legal gentlemen who ap-
peared on behalf of the crown stated that
evidence would be produced to show that
the deceased girl had been in the employment
of the late Mrs. Pinkley, that, she was not of
a vicious disposition, as had been improperly
reported, and that it was not at all probable
that she had committed self-destruction. Evi-
dence would also ])rove that she was very
much attached to the children of Doctor Bus-
ter, an'd that she had never committed the
least act of violence toward one or the other ;
but that, on the contrary, when the boy had
been struck down by another, she was heard
to bewail him aj if dead ; and that there was
strong reason to believe that her own death
had b(!en effected in a very short time after-
ward by persons w'lo wert* then present, and
anxious to get her out of the way.

" Persons who were tlien presiuit !" The
moderator grew nervous — who could prove
that he was there V lie wiiispered to his legal
adviser, and that gentleman begged perniis*
flion to interrupt his h-arned friend by assert-
ing his doubts as to his ability to prociin^
«ucli jiroof. Then the doctor looked eagerly
around again, yet Alice could not be seen.

Tlie interruption met with no reply ; the
counsel for the crown merely told the jurors

that they would not be kept waiting for tho
evidence ; he would first call on Samuel
Styles. This witness was entirely unknown
to Doctor Buster — he applied his eye-glass.
Samuel Styles ! Who is he ? He was sworn.
In order to explain his position more fully, he
gave the jury his reasons for entering the
Home as keeper, and how he had detected the
plans of the moderator and Mrs. Pinkley ;
how he had discovered the doctor's imprisoned
wife, and how he had watched for the children,
and, at last, how he had entered the house,
when he heard the scream, on the very eve-
ning of the murder. He could not say who had
actually struck the blow, but, said he, point-
ing to the accused minister, " That man was
present, and I heard Mrs. Pinkley accuse him
of the act, and reproach him for so doing."
The doctor turned ghastly pale, and trembled
from head to foot. " It is infamous," muttered
the Rev. Andrew Campbell, " an infamous
plot !"

" I beg to draw your attention, gentlemen,
to the fact," again interrupted the doctor's le-
gal friend, " that the witness was rather on
intimate terms with the deceased girl — what
proper business could he have had there at
the time ? Might it not be asserted, that he is
now only acting like a criminal, who, to shield
hunself, would accuse others ? He is a stran-
ger — one to be suspected — where is Ms proof
that my accused friend was in the house?
surely we are not to take the ipse dixit of a
man in the very equivocal position of this
precious witness."

"You shall have evidence presently," re-
plied Samuel Styles ; " I may be a kind of
strange in these parts, but I guess I know a
tiling or two. I can prove that I engaged in
the asylum as keeper by the advice of one, per-
haps known to many present — one, anyway,
whom to know is to trust. I fifllowed Mrs. Pink-
ley into her house that evening unperceived ; I
saw who were there — guess I saw too much.
I didn't wait a minute, I linibcjred up and put,
and in less than an hour I told my story
to the authorities ; that poor girl lying there,
was made -away with before they got here,
she was kneeling by the side of the boy
wh(!n I left. Anyhow, I'm about right in
what I say, and that child cofiiing in will
l)rove the rest."

All eyes were now turned to the door. Mr.
Thomas Bross entered obsequiously — he had
already tiansi'erred his allegiance. The mod-
erator as a priest, and the 'moderator as a
])risoner were to him two distinct individu-
als ; there was no personal identity — he knew
neither. Though pious, he was a worldly-
wise man, a time-server, and knew where the
sunshine was, and there he would bask. The
doctor was in the shade — there let him stay ;
Bross would now follow the fortunes of his
great opponent.

The moderator's heart failed him. Was slie
coming V He dare not look up— a sight of that
living child would be more terrible than the
siglit of the dead one. He heard her weeping,
and the praytir of his heart then was, " Oh !
that with her tears her eyes might melt
away and her tongue refuse its olfice. Oh!

EXETER HALL.

I'H

•Its"*

, r- '■>

that the sight of that mangled body might
put her reason to flight, or stop the throbbing
of her heart forever."

She came weeping, poor thing! Oh! how
sadly. She was led in tenderly by Mr. Man-
ners, and at the moment, the intense gaze of
pity from nearly all present seemed to bring
a hush followed by a deep silence. Men held
their breath, and tried to keep back their tears
— the mute eloquence of nature. They stood
aside to let her approach ; her slight form was
bent with grief, and she drew near, crying and
sobbing as if her heart would break. She ap-
proached the table, and then, for the first time,
looked up ; what a sight met her eyes ! She
seemed suddenly overwhelmed ; she was sink-
ing, but ere she fell she was seized and then
taken fainting from the crowded room. Had
her father's prayer or curse already had its
accomplishment ?

They waited for some time, but a medical
gentleman who was in attendance gave it as
his opinion that, as the child had received a
dreadful shock, it might prove fatal were she
again brought in that day. If her evidence
■was necessary, it must be taken in some other
place and at some other time. The coroner
was of the same ojnnion ; and, as it was get-
ting late, he suggested that other evidence
might be taken, and that tliey would then atl-
journ until the next day.

A witness was called, and Mr. Mannors an-
swered to his name. " I beg respectfully to
object to that gentleman's evidence." said
Doctor Buster's legal friend, addressing the
coroner. "I am sure that you will concur in
the opinion that his evidence is not admissi-
ble."

These remarks caused some surprise.

" Not admissil)le ! Why so ?"

" Because he is not a believer in our holy
religion. lie treats the Holy Scriptures with
contempt. He is an infidel — a blasphemer."

The counsel for the crown interfered ; he
could not imagine that such a dis()ualification
existed. Were he to judge by appearances,
ther(^ was not a ]ierson present before the court
on whom he could more readily depend for a
truthful evidence.

" The learned counsel must, however, ad-
mit," retorted the other, " that ap]warances
are sometimes very deceptive. Truth from
prejudiced lips is too often equal to falsehood.
However, if tlu; gentleman is truthful, a plain
answer to a plain (piestion will settle the busi-
ness."

As it was, the coroner felt rather ashamed of
the objection. " Mr. Manners, you have heard
wliat has b(;en just stated ; will you be good
encjugh to say whether you believe the lloly
Bible to be the revealed word of God, binding
on all men 'i Do you believe in a future state
of rewards and punishments ?"

" Will my answer be satisfactory ? I am
not sworn ; will my mere word in reference to
this be b.'lievedr'

" Cerlaiuly."

" It seiMus, then, that the evidence which I
may giv(! against myself will be a(C('])ted,
while that which I could give; against a
criminal will.be refused. L('t it be so — it is
the result of Christian hoerality. I do not

believe that the Christian Bible is the reveal-
ed word of any God, or of any being superior
to man. I can not say whether tliere is or \vi 1 1
be a future state of rewards and i)unishnienta,
I can neither affirm nor deny ; but I never
yet Viave had any proof of a post-mortem exis-
tence. Still, my fondest hopes are in that
direction."

" Then," said the coroner in a hesitating
manner, " I regret that we can not accept any
statement from you as legal evidence."

Well might the coroner and those around
him have blushed at such a declaration, and
well may intolerance point with pride to its
recorded triumphs. There is a statute includ-
ed among British laws— a usage in Biitish
practice — whereby honest, thoughtful, in-
credulous men can be wantonly insultfvi in a
piiblic court and unjustly ostracizal for their
adherence to honest opinion. The exercise of
this antifiuated bigotry in the nineteenth
century should bring the blush of fjliami^ to
the cheek of every liberal man.

"As the court has very i)roperly refused that
person's evidence, before we adjourn I trust I
may be permitted, on behalf of ^ny accused
friend, to show that a deep design has for some
time existed against him ; that the very
individual whose word or who.'ie oath would
not be trusted by honest men, or received in
an ordinary court of justice, has not only
destroyed the domestic haj)pines8 of my client,
but has hounded and persecuttid him down to
the ])resent moment. Not only have the infidel
sentiments of that man caused him to be a
blight to the happiness of his own wife, so much
so as to cause her to be immured in an
asylum, but here is evidence to show that he
has been the principal agent in leading a once
worthy Avoman down to infamy." llaving
said this, he held out the letter or note which
had been hastily written by Mr. Mannors to
the moderator's wife at the time she was try-
ing to escape from persecution.

" Hampstead, June, 1863.
" My De.vti 'Madam : I shall meet you
again next Thursday at the place aii])ointed.
I have already made arrangements for your
temporary stay at the K(>d Lion. In that place,
you can l)e p(>rfectly private. I think you
should leave your husband at once, and be
free for a time or forever from his vicious con-
trol. Yours sincerely,

'" Martin Mannohs."

" Gentlemen, comment is almost useless,
but I consider this hotter to be damning proof
of the infamy of that man."

"As I have not been permitted to give evi-
dence," said Mr. Mannors in a mild tone, "I
trust that I may be allowed to ex]ilain why
that letter was written, and to pi"ove 1)y otlusrs
that the persecuted lady first sought mo. She
is at present beneath my roof and und(>r my
protection, and were it not that she is greatly
enfeebled, and that it would be worse than
<:ruelty to l)ring her here, she could give such
a rebuke to her detractors and to mine ^\s would
silence them fortn'er."

" So she could, sir, so shecould," interrupted
Mr. Bross ; " I can prove that when — "

the r(^voft]-
11 <; siiiH'fior
creiflDrwill
iinislinients.
)Ut I never
lortem cxis-
ire in that

, hositatinjf
t ace jpt any
ice."

1080 nround
aration, and
pride to its
itute iiiclud-

in Bi'itisli
iglitful, in-
iHiilte*.! in a
ed f('r their
e exorciso of

niueteenth
:>f fihaine to

rf fnscd tliat

irn I trust I

■■.ny accused

has for some

t the very

oath wouhl

received in

18 not only

)f my client,

lim down to

Hi the infidel

liim to be a

|vifo,somucli

ured in an

low that he

adin»^aonco

" HavinfT

note which

Manners to

he was try-

Une, 1863.
meet you
aiijiointed.

lis for your
that place,
think you

ice, und be
icious coa-

LNNOKS."

pst nselcK?,
liiiiiig proof

|o jfivo evi-

|ld tone, " I

tphiin why

[o ])y otlmrs

lit mo. She

under my

is {Treat ly

Ivorse than

ll {rive such

lie fis would

interrupted

^.XETER HALL.

1«T

Tho counsel for the crown rather abruptly
stopped the law-clerk's flow ol eloquence, by
Btating what had been just read or said was
irrelevant ; it was no matter for the considera-
tion of the jury. Direct evidence was requir-
ed, and he had been but a moment or two
since assured that if the little fjirl, Alice, was
kept quiet and free from any further excite-
ment for a few hours, she would be able to
give evidence to-morrow ; that evidence was all
that was now required before the matter was
left to the jury.

" I guess here's a piece of evidence you won't
refuse," said Samuel Styles. " I rather think
'twill speak conclusively. I shall leave it
with you before M-e jiart ; it can be cross-
questioned at leisure. lie handed the Queen's
Counsel a handsome cane, which had been
broken in halves ; it was of ebony, and its
massive gold handle was covered with blood,
which had dried and crisped in its rich chas-
ing. In seai'cliing Mrs. Pinkley's room that
morning, he had found it under the mattress
of her bed.

"Now," continued he, pointing to Doctor
Buster's legal friend, " that gentleman a kind
of hinted that I was a stranger in these parts,
and might lie acting like a criminal, by trying
to throw the load on others. Just ask him if
he ever saw that fancy article before, and if
he knows who is the owner. I rather hope
that his position just now won't be quite as
equivocal as he hinted that mine was a spell
since. If he can't exactly turn it through his
. mind, perhaps that other gentleman " — and he
pointed to tlie Rev. Andrew Campbell — " might
refresh his memory, and help him to make a
clean guess ; not that I exactly want the
information myself, 'tan't of no great conse
quence to me — guess I'm sufficiently posted —
but these twelve men here might be just a
leetle curious and might like to hear their
sentiments."

It was lucky at the moment for Doctor Buster
that tho broken cane was the object of such
general interest. He sat crouched in a corner
of the room, and the policeman, wiio stood
close by, could see him tremble, and couUl
mark the knotted veins swell out upon his
forehead. W(>re it possible for that dead boy
to arise from his clotted bier and give evi-
dence against his father, it would not be more
conclusive to many ]ires(.'nt than the sight of
that blood-marked witness. The owner of it
was well known ; neither tlicf doctor's advocate,
nor the Rev. Andrew Canii)bell made any re-
ply—a dawning of the terrible truth had even
now come for them.

The shadows of the wintry evening had
already begun to make their api)earauc(3 ; an
adjournment was a^sked lor. The doctor, it
was pleaded, felt much harassed and fatigued ;
ho would be able to give a satisfactory exi>la-
nation to-morrow. Tho coroner was very
considerate— he did not wish to be too rigir-
ous with a distinguished clergyman ; but it
was with dilticultv that the counsel for the
crown was i»revailed upon to consent to re-
new tho doctor's bail— he did not deem it
just to draw nice distinctions in lavor of
clerical otl'enders. However, promises and
importunities prevailed, aud tho moderator

was again saved from commitment. In leav-
ing the place, the accused man was without
hope, but he made a desperate effort to appear
calm ; he smiled, and leaned upon the arm of
his reverend friend, and he walked away as
complacently as a sanctified criminal on his
way to execution.

For obvious reasons, Alice was consigned
to the care of the medical avtendant until tho
next day, and a posse of constables were to
be Iqft in charge of the place. Samuel Styles
joined Mr. Manners, and they once more turn-
ed their faces toward Hampstead.

Tho dreary December night had passed
away, and the cnld, gloomy dawn was slowly
making its appearance. The moon was in
its last quarter ; it now shone through a small
opening in the heavy clouds, and a few stars
in tho interminable distance stole glimpses at
the bleak earth. One of the homeless urchins
of the city, who had taken refuge during the
night in an outhouse or shed adjoining tho
stable belonging to the pastor of St. Andrew's,
peeped out from under his bundle of rags. lie
was trembling, there was snow upon the
ground, and the pangs of hunger had already
robbed him of any chance for the continuation
of his wretched rest. Would he live another
day, he must be active ; he must go out again
into the wilderness of streets, and pick up and
swallow such garbage as could be found. Per-
hajis it might be a lucky day, he might find a
shilling, or get a chance to steal one — it made
no difference which. Pinched and straitened
as he was, theft to him could not be crime,
but suicide was ; in his great extremity, he
had never yet thought of that. But was it
not right to steal ? else how could he live ? He
wanted bread ; it was in his last thoughts at
night when he lay down in hunger — bread
was in his dreams, and bread, or rather want
of it, came again with the dawn. He must
live ; forlorn as he was, there was hope —
th(!re was yet a charm in his bleak, unblessed
existence which he would not exchange for
death. The cold moonlight was streaming
down, and a colder blast was rushing about,
and now, as this poor starveling indulged in
felon thoughts toward large brown loaves, he
noticed a long shadow moving backward
and forward at the end of the shed furthest
from where he lay. He looked listlessly at it
for some time, but its motion in the moonlight
was so unusual that he watched it more
closely. He had often taken refuge in that
jtlace before, but no such vision had ever until
now disturbed his waking moments or ban-
ished his thoughts of bread. Wrapt in his
rags, h(! hobbled out, then went toward the
stable-door ; tho end of a beam projected a
couple of feet from the wall ; he looked up in
the gloom somewhat frightened ; a rope had
been attached to tho beam, the body of a large
man hung at the end of the rope, the wind
swung it to and fro, and the long spectral
shadow which followed tho body wa« the^
shadow of the late Doctor Theophilus Buster. .

168

EXETER HALL.

ft'.

■•^>>^

CHAPTER XXXIV.

It had been blowing a keen son-wester all
day, and the Atlantic waves, as they entered
the passajre leading' to Cork harbor, rushed
wildly toward Fort Carlisle, and then, as if
repulsed, seemed to be (diminished, and to
slacken their speed as they bounded by Spike
Island on their Hashing and sparkling course
to the most spacious and beautiful haven in
Ireland. Some miles out at sea, a large steam-
er from Liverpool was heading for tliis port ;
it had struggled nobly all day against adverse
winds and waves, and now, as day drew to a
close, there was a luii, and an April sunfot
flung a glory along the coasl, -'nd iis waning
red rays could bo seen wandering away over
the distant hills, and then, as if resting on
the very verge of earth and heaven, gradually
mellowed into the most delicate blush ere
sinking into repose.

Several passo^ngers had assembled on the
deck of the vtissel ; some who were in a hurry
to land had already been packing trunks and
carpet-bags ; a few mercantile men were dis-
cussing tiie chances of an increase or falling
off in business ; politicians talked of the re-
form bill, of Fenians, and of the gloomy i)ros-
pects of the confederates in America ; while
others, who had been a longer or shorter
period away from their native land, gazed
thoughtfully upon the distant headlands, or
traced the dim outline of some mountain
whose summit was lost in the clouds, but by
whose base, perhaps, stood the sheltered val-
ley cottage that was — Home.

Apart from the other passengers, two per-
sons stood leaning against the ship's side
toward the forward part of the vessel. There
was a pause in the conversation, and they
were gazing on the panorama of beautiful
scenery which moved slowly by. One was a
stout, low-sizf d man of middle age, he had a
reddish, good-humored face, and there was
something clerical in his appearance ; the
other was younger, taller, rather slight or
slim, and of no particular complexion.

"And that's the Hreen Isle, the Island of
Saints? Well, now, I fancy 'twould be much
better for all parties if it had never gained
that name. Saints ! my present idea of that par-
ticular class is something like what I used to
have of bears or wild-cats. They're mild and
glossy at times, well enough to look at ; but
'tis just as well to keep hands off, and not cross
their track or interfere with tlieir doings ; if
you're risky, and keep witliin reach, they're
not mighty particular about hurtin' your
feelings. Well, now. that's a kind of natural
looking right across the way — green and
brown fields, and tlu m old blue hills away off;
you han't much timber, ratlujr too mucli of a
clearance, but how green ! green and gurden-
like, that's a fact. Yes, there's no mistake
about it, I rather fancy that that is the Emerald
Isle,"

There was another pause for a few moTnents,
and then his companion, while looking at tlu-
approaching shore, said reflectively, " Yes, sir,
that's oidd Ireland," and he seemed to lay
particular stress upon the adjective.

"Well, old or new, 'tis about as good a

place for raising saints as any I know of. It
takes a certain kind of folks to make good
saints — such as are ready to believe all thi^y
know, and a good deal of what they d(m't
know. Anyhow, they ought to prosper over
there ; but some say they've been as bad for
the land as Canada thistles."

"Just as bad. We've had saints of all de-
grees from Palladius or Patrick, its reputed
patron, down to Cullen. If religion has been
a blessing to others, it has failed altogether
with us ; we've had it in almost every shape
and form — Pagan, and Popish, and Protestant ;
it has been fed with blood, and pam])ered with
gold. The crown, and the cross, and the Bible
have each in turn exercised an influence only
adverse to humanity. Then we've had a
dominant church and its holy ajmstle — the
nword; but all to no purpose. It seems tome
that the Irish will never Ijo converted by
Christianity, it wants something more pure
and undefiled than that to soften their hearts
and end their strife. In this respect, I think
they are but a type of our common humanity.
Yes, sir, the Gospel has been a woe to that
island ; its ancient Dr\iidism could not have
created more superstition, caused more conten-
tion, or produced greater mental degeneracy ;
and sure I myself have helped them down ;
well, nabochluh, I'll undo what I can before I
die."

" I guess we've all a little to undo in that
way ; still 'twas no fault of ours, we were
hitched to the thing in early years ; that's the
Gospel plan you know — catch them while
they're gn^en — they can't begin with think-
ing, r(>asoning men ; se(;ure the young ones
and the women folks, and the rest are more
likely to follow. But now that we're free, lot
us try and helj) those in bonds. 'Tis a tough
task, I admit ; but the ball is rolling, and time
will do the rest, that's certain. — See them
green hill slopes ! every thing so fresh look-
ing, an't that fine? If a man had any poetry
in his nature, he ought to be able to find it
somewhere about here. Well, how I should
like to have a few thousand of them Irish
acres, and then, if I could only get the right
kind of settlers, every one of them as igno-
rant of all religion as a rhinoceros, and have
common-sense laws, good schools, and freedom
from the (extortion of ])rit'Sts and i)arHons, I
rather think we should make the thing work,
and make out to live, and prove to the world
what could be done on Irish soil."

" So you might, but, alas ! for poor Ireland ;
its soil has been enriched mainly by blood. For
centuries the battle of creeds has continued, un-
til almost every foot of its surface has been
trodden over by armies, and factions, and reli-
gious freebooters of all kinds. First the pagan
was routed, then came Palladius, or Patrick, or
some other pious jjretender, upsetting one idol
and erecting anotlu^r, then Christianity was
called civilizati.'.n, and the converte<l i)oor were
l)lundered and made poorer by continu(!d im-
jxists for the (srection of cathedrals, and ab-
Ix'ys, and monasteries, apfl for the support of
a horde of idle i)riests ; then came the Ucsfor-
mation, with its alien clergy and rai>aciou9
g()sp(;lers, eager for prey and for pronely tes,
and these were soon followed by Cromwell

EXETER HALL.

169

and confiscation. The old form of Christiani-
ty was calUid idohitry, the next was avarice ;
both, in th(!ir results, were mercenary and in-
human. The exactions of tlie one were bad
enoujyh, but the extortions of the other have
been tlie main cause of rebellion and murder,
legal and iile<ral, for the last tlireo hundred
years. Rome in its i)almy days quietly (loeced
the Irish flock, but the voracious Enjrlish
state church has rushed down upon them like
a wolf, and, behold its eft'ccts ! religious des-
potism, religious strife, and a pauper popu-
lation."

" Just so, the boasted effects of a religion
of peace and good-will ; but wliat of the dis-
senters—you an't forgetting them?"

" No, they are our ciiief beggars — a hungry
race. They are forces that gnaw the very
bones ; they are the Pharisees of our day, pray-
ing for iuunility, yet eager for power. But
no wonder we have continued discord and re-
bellion in Ireland — religion has been its
greatest oppressor. The state church, with
less than one seventh of the population, de-
mands support from the remainder who reject
its teachings. That insti,tution, established by
violence and fraud, still exacts for the main-
tenance of its archbishops, bishops, priests,
and ecclesiastical commissioners aljout £700,-
000 annually ; besides, it has rents and rev-
enues Ironi 100,000 acres of land, and other
enormous emoluments, sufficient if expended
in humane and charitable purposes to give
vast relief to the deserving poor. What but
rebelli(m can be expected from such wholesale
plunder ? Irish Catholics, wiio are heavily
taxed to pay their own priesthood, naturally
feel indignant at such base oppression, and
justly oflv-r it a continued resistance. Between
Papists and Protestants, orange and green,
the si)irit of the nation has been almost
crushed out, and kings, popes, prelates, and
priests may well exult ; they have brought
misery on a land that might have been a re-
gion of happiness."

" Tills is, you know, what they call propa-
gating the Gospel ; but, according to your idea
and mine too, they have had too mucli of a
good thing — I guess they'd better take up
again with the Druids."

" They might, for the matter of that ; ay,
propagation of the faith and spread of the
Gospel arc. ready expressions, but What have
they cost the world? A frightful amount.
Every fanatic las a mission of some kind or
other — one has a pntron saint, and importunes
to decorate its shrine ; another starts off' to
the ends of the earth to carry a Bible to the
heathen. What with churches and priests,
saints and slirines. Bibles and tracts, the
world has been agitated and impoverished,
and tiio necessities of the poor made only a
secondary consideration. Instead of trying
to erailicat(! ])ov(>rty, the whole machinery of
Christendom is kept in cc^aseless operation ftu-
the purpose; of extracting money — not of
course f(jr tlu; re^lief of actual distress, but un-
der the pnitense that, unless you teach reli-
gion, or si)read the (}osi)e], souls will be driven
to perdition ; tin; real woes of this life are con-
sidered but trivial, while the imaginary ones
of a future state must be averted at any cost."

" You mustn't forget that It requires eternal
diligi nee to counteract th.e designs of the evil
one ; the operations of priest-folks lie in that
dirt!cti(m. 'Tis something of a task to clip
the wings of the old dragon, and something
of a triumph to keep the critturfnmi gobbling
up all creaticm — an't that so V"

" Ay, that's a triumph, to be sure ; we hear
constant boasts of the triumphs of the true
faitli — but which is true ? The "apist boasts,
and so does the Protestant, o.a every sect, no
matter how great or insignidcant, tells you of
Gospel triumphs ; and then what are they
compared with the efforts that have been
made, or the sums which have been lavished
on the insane idea of making all men have
bu^ one faith, and forcing Christianity on the
world ? After all that has been done, what is the
actunl progress ? Why, after nearly two thou-
sand years of praying and preaching, begging
and compelling, other systems have not only
remained intact, but have gained adherents.
Mohammedanism has superseded Christianity
in the East ; Judaism still scorns its pretcn-
sicms, paganism is proud in a vast control ;
while science, and secelarism, and spiritual-
ism are winning and drawing thinking men
away from the worship of the cross and from
the idolatry of the Bible. The magnificent ef-
forts of Exeter Hall are unavailing; the tor-
rent of unbelief rushes on. During the last
sixty years, the Bible Society of Britain alone,
has printed and distributed over fifty -three mil-
lions of copies of the Christian Bible, and yet it
has been calculated that even at this rate it
would take 1140 more years, and one hundred
md twentj' millions more of money, to give a
copy of this so-called /ree Gospel to every hu-
man being! and though millions have been
already spent to circulate the Scriptures, not
one person in twenty has yet been favored
with the perusal of this strange message
from God to man. If the Gospel, as has been
alleged, was once preached to every creature,
the inhabitants of the earth mu=t have been
very few, or else they must have quickly re-
jected its teachings ; if it was indispensable
for man's salvation, wdiat indifference and
crueltj' to lei its circulation depend upon the
uiuHU'tain efforts of a few believers, while vast
multitudes are in the mean time left to perish
through lack of knowledge — wliat a sad re-
flection upon the benevolence of a supreme
Being! Christians, however, continue to boast
of the triumphs of grace — meagre triumphs
according to the means used. Give me money
and men, give me but one fiftieth part of
what is actually wasted in efforts to Christian-
bA\ and I will Mormonize Manchester, Brah-
mini/.e Bristol, and the praises of Mohammed
and the Koran shall be sung in the streets of
London. Give me ample means and resolute
men, and I can establish any system ! Christi-
anity has already had full sway for centuries.
Ivinjrs have been its nursing fathers, it has
had almost uni)roc(!dented popularity, and has
become imperial in wealth, power, and in-
tolerance ; yet oven now; refulgent as it may
seem, let candid nuiu but fairly investigate its
claims, and they will as surely reject its au-
thority.

" The best years of my life have been spent

170

EXETKR HALL.

in an endeavor to mako others believe what
I could not understand myself. Wliat years
of trial many of tlicse liave been to me ! and
what mental torture I have sutlered contend-
in j? with theological absurdities ! Invest ijjfa-
tionhas, however, satisfied me, as it has a host
of others; and as soon as tht; fallacious pre-
tensions of the Christian creed are mor»» fully
examined and exposed, tliey will be rejectcnl,
and will follow the course of other popular
delusions which have had their day."

'* That will bo the case. 1 was once as jyreat
a stickler for tlujui venerable chaptern of in-
spiration as any man livin'r; the Bible I im-
agined was law, physic, and divinity, and
every thinj; else ; what I couldn't under-
stand at oUt} tin\(!, I thought I'd be able to
make out at anc^Uier, I used to read and read,
and felt mighty cheap at times when I couldn't
riddle out the meaning ; still I b'lieved, and
still I doubted ; then, after a time, I begun to
think that something wasn't all right — 'twas
I, of course, was rather slacli — and socm as
a doubt came, so soon was I bound to find out
the exact truth. Guess I had a lively time of
it for a while ; but at last truth cunie, and
truth in the end was too much for the Ihble.
I've be(!n among Christian men and womisn
since I was so high, through York State,
and Pennsylvania, and Ne w- Jersey, and numy
other places — among E))is("i)alians, Metho-
dists, Presbyterians, Baptist . id twenty other
different kinds; good Lord I iliey'rc all alike,
the people never think; vligious folks, in one
way, are all of a stripe — they just, nine out
of ten of 'em b'leeve what they're told, ])ny
little or much right down, and ask no ques
tions. And then there's the preachers or
ministers, or wliatever you like to tall them,
pretty well stuck up, most of them living at
their ease — despots and exclusives in a small
•way — I won't say all of them, but pretty
much all ; some of them are sincere enough,
but others are chuck full of the old Adam ;
they hitch right on and take to sinning quite
natural-like ; they an't often stuck when tliey
want to start, they pitch right in, and then
when they fall from grace, they talii about
remorse and make out to feel rather cheaj) ;
but when there's a general row, and when it
gets into the papers, or if the business is
pretty scaly, they sometimes quietly slij)
cable, make tracks, or go oft' just like our
friend the moderator."

" No doul)t Harry was surpriso'd when he
heard of that — he must have seen it in the ])a-
pers. All' sure 1 know something of the cler-
gy, but let them go for the present. Ilerci we
are in sweet old Cove once more; but sure
now 'tis Queenstown— still the place is all the
same— thi'y can't change that. See, there's
the guard-ship, and that <)n(! over the way is
the liulk or prison-ship. I'M warrant they've
got more than one Irish rebel on board I'or ex-
jiortation — wi.'ll, <iod help the poor fellows !
and there's vessels, big and little, bound lor the
four quarters of the woi Id. Isn't this a har-
bor fit for paradise? 'tis, faith, if there is
such a place, and I hope there is. Look at
that old eliurch away up on the hill, and
strecits and houses, like huge stei)S of stairs,
rising up from the water. You're sure to find

churches wherever you go; like the cler-
gy, they are fond of elevated positions.
"I'is no great matter in Irehvnil whetber
there's a congregation or not — wlusre there's
a church, there must be a salary. But
what have I got to do witli churches now?
I'm no longer a priest, but a poor pariah ; I
will no more urge the erection of temples,
but do what I can to undermine th(> stately
fabric of superstition. Ay, there's the old
sod, the fine green fields again ; I some way
think it do(!8 one gooil to step on luitive soil
Psha! how hard 'tis to get rid of old notions.
What 's country or creed to me now'? just
oh! notions, nothing more. A subdivided
world is hostile to humanity. Henceforth, I
shall humbly tread in the footHte])s of that
true friend of man, who said, ' Tlic world
is my country, to do good my religicm.' "

After Mr. l'a\)vl left Kngland, his loss was
not only felt by the family at Ilampstead.but
also in a particular manner by the K(!V. Mr.
McUlinu. That tottering ])illar of the Boman
Ciiurch found himself almost alone. Mr.
Capel was a com])ani< n to whom he could
freely unburden his mind, and from whom,
he well knew lie would receive sympathy.
An apparent conformity to the doctrinc^s and
ci'remonies of his church liad already become
insupiiortable, and a thorough inv(?stigation
into tlie claims of the Bible had saiisfitMl him
that Christianity was based upon a false foun-
dation. He never studied the problem which
no doubt deters many others — how am I to
live if I resign my cluirge ? but, triu^tohis own
honest nature, he decided to leave the church
and renounci' the faith, to take his chance
among thinking nu'U, and to warn others
against the pretensions f)f creed and authority
nf inspiration. Yet, though he loved truth, he
dreaded the obloquy which would follow his
deserilon of the faith. Surroundoii ;\;-, h,.- was
by thorougii adiierents of the church, he had
not one in whom toconlidc; ; and when he men-
tioned a doubt, or threw out a hint respecting
his unbelief, he was only laugh(;d at by bro-
ther priests, who could not admit that he was
serious. — Wasn't he an eccentric — sure ho
was controversial Tom, and drunk or sober he
had a leaning for argument ; when the Pro-
testant was routed, he would attack the Papist
— any thing i'or argument. So the ])riest8 of
^loor fields still thought; but Father Tom was
in some res])ects a very changed man — he had
become! abstemious, and instead of festive de-
bates {>r pod prandial polemics, he ventured
on skepticism ; but were his clerical friends
even satisficil of his total unbelief, tliey would
have had more consideration for him than if he
had merely changed his faith. To lea\ '• the
mother church for " Luther's bantling of :ipoB-
tasy " would, in their oiiinion. l)e an eoleBi-
astical crimi', not to be forgiven in this world
or the n(>xt. Anyway, Mr. Mcljllinn was do-
tcrmined tobefrei; ; and. as he had businc-s in
Ireland about that time, he notified the bi^nop,
and received tlu^ usual ]>erniit-r-ion. lie de-
sired to depart in jieace, and let the anathema
of exconimunication al'terwurd follow.

Having therelon^ made u]) his mind to
leave .Loudon, he wrote to Mr. Capel, from
whom he had lately received a letter; tleir

EXETER HALL.

171

tlu^ clor.

1 poflitiims.
1(1 Avhctlicr
her(5 there's
ilury. But
rchfs now?
r pari nil ; I
of temples,

the stately

e's the old

I soiMo way

native soil

old notions.

now'? just

subdivided

henceforth , I

ei)s of that

' The world

rjion.' "

nis loss was

iipstead.but

lie K(;v. Mr.

■ th»! Konian

alone. Mr.

ni he could

Toni whom,

: sympathy.

ctrim^s and

■ady become

ivestijjation

;Vtisli(!d him

a false fonn-

bleni which

f)w am I to

le to his own

the churcTi

his chance

an> others

id authority

■(■(! truth, he

1 follow his

1 :\:: lio was

ich, he had

Kii ho men-

resjiecting

at l)y bro-

that he was

— sure ho

or sober he

n the I'ro-

the Papist

])riest8 of

r Tom was

an — he had

festive de-

e ventured

■al friends

licv would

I Ilian if ho

lca\i' the

nfj of :l])0B-

an iM 1 Icsi-
this world
nn \>as do-
jusini "■'^ in
till' biMiop,
. lie de-
anathema
>\v.

1 mind to
'ajiel, from
tter; their

positions were similar. lie had not yet dc
eided as to his future courst^ ; he was conii)ara-
tively iK)or, so was Mr. Capel ; not only would
people of his late ci i-d look coldly on him,
but Christians as a body would mark their dis-
trust, and perhai)S attriltule any tliin^r but
the purest motives for his rejection of
the faith. II(! would now be obliged to stem
the current ajruinst which he had faced ; this
he was willing to do ; and as something must
be done to earn a livelihood, he wrott! to consult
Ills friend, who himself was rather irresolute;
it ni'trht be that th»'y could unite in opening
a si iiool or seminary, or iu establishing
an institution of the kind ; an 1 if the
spirit of intolerance interfered with their su(^-
cess iu their native land, why, the world was
wide, and they could cross the sea. This was
the purport of the letter which he had dis-
patched to Mr. Capel ; he had about a week y(!t
to remain before he could com'deto his ar-
rangements, and iu the mean time he thought
it his duty to pay perhaps a last visit to his
friend Mr. Mannors, whom he had not seen
but onco since the; departure of Mr. Capel.

No one could have received a greater wel-
come at Heath Cottage. Mr. Mannors, cheer-
ful as ever, met him at the garden-gate, and
after a hearty shako of the hand, gave him a
good-natured reproof for ^\hsit he called his
desertion. What a ])leasj|R home ! tiven af-
ter the dreary visits of sorrow, the sunlight
streamed vlown and seemed to renew happi-
ness within the dwelling. Still there was
a want — Harry was away; Mr. Med linn had
never been there before but in his company,
and, though it was springtime again, he
thought of the gloomy November day when
they lioth left the place together. And then
how changed Miss Mannors looked ; there was
a eadness iu h'-r appearance, yet how warmly
she ])ressed his hand, and how earnestly she
asked him if he had oftcui heard from Ireland,
and tlicn, after a little hesitation, how she
had even ventured to mention Mr. Capel's
name.

'"Oh! he has forgotten us," said Mr. Man-
nors," as you almost did yourself. What do
you think, only one solitary hotter from him
since he left us — indeed, that was scarcely a
letter, a few expressions of gratitude for all I
had done for him, but at the same time posi-
tively declining the only little favor I ever
tried to bestow. Indeed, it could scarcely b((
called a favor; when he was going away, I
inclosed a check for a hundred ])ounds — mere-
ly as a loan if he liked. I did not tell him
at the time what it was; I told him not to
open th(! letter until he got to Ireland, but
in less than a week after he left, back came
my check, and we have never heard from
him since. Now, Father MctHinn, isn't that
ungrateful '?"

" Well, ui«)n my sowl, 1 rather like it. But
begging your pardon, Mr. Maniu)r-<, don't fii-
tlirr me any more — I'm done with all that.
When you saw me last in town, you might have
giu'.sse'd at what was going to hnopen — you
remember what I told you. ^^'ell, sir, at
this blessed numient I'm an independent
heathen at your service ; faith, in one sense
not very indepe.Mlent either, but any way
free from all ecclei.iastical bonds, and quite

Indifferent to interdicts. W»;ll, ovon that's
something to bonst of, after nearly fifty
years of servility to an idea. Yes, I admit
it looks ungrateful on Harry's pari, but, Lord
bless you ! you don't know him. Poor fi-llow' !
the day ho left hero with me was, I'm sure,
the most miserable one; of his existence ; !
saw it, he could scarcely speak, and when
the big tear.-f stf)o<l in his eyes as wo were
parting, he spoke of you as having been a
mo.st generous benefactor, nid of you, Misa
Manners, as being an angel of light — faith, he
did. Ungrateful! not a hit of t. Ih; may
be troubleil perhaps with a little Irish jiride,
or he may have too much si)irit, but notliing
lik(! ingratitude. If you were to see liis loi-
ters — indeed, I once told him he sliould diredt
them to you instead of to me — neai-Jy all
about Hampstead and Heath Cottage, and
Mr. Mannors, and his angel daughter."

" Well, well, he's a strange fellow; I \\n\Mi
Nve haven't g"t rid of him altogether. Yes,
Mr. McHlinn, I remember our last conversa-
sion in the city, and t am not surprised at
the result — I sincerely congratulate you upon
your mental freedom; and now I trust you
ar(> going to renuiin with us a f"w days, and
not leave us in a hurrv, as your friond Capel
did."

"Remain! there's not much for me now
but leave-taking ; sure, I daren't stay here,
besides, haven't I Harry's last letter hurrying
me away 'I Somehow, t don't think he's at all
happy in Ireland ; he wants to try the other
end of the world, and wishes to consult mo
about going to Australia."

Miss Mannors hail to blush onco or twice
during the conversation ; now, from some sud-
den caus(>, she grew pale and faint, and a
dimness affected her sight.

"Aust nilia ! Why, who (!ver heard the like of
that ? Just think, Pop, of the man going away,
away to Australia, like a romantic missionary,
perhaps to be devoured by Christianized
savages ! How long has he had that notion 1"

" 'Pon my word, I ciin't exactly say — not
long, anyway. You see he hasn't been v(;ry
successful — numy of his old religious friends
gave him the cold shoulder. He's very sensi-
tive, and, to my surprise, has lately be-
come rather anxious for wealth. I know that
since he left here, Hampstead has Ix-on often
iu his dreaMis ; and now, as if there was some
connection therewith, h<' dreams of gold, ho
would like to grow suddenly rich — yet a thou-
sand pounds will do him ; and as there is no
jiossible chance of finding or making such a
sum here, he is willing to seek it in far-off
xVustralia."

"Ah! what a foolish dreamer, Avhen he might
be, perhaps, much more successful nearer
home. How does he know but some Avell-to-
do relative would turn up, and save him such
a long voyage V Well, we must see to this ; I
do not Avant to have mend)ers of ^«,y church
scattered about ; we, too, have a labor of love
to perform, we must act as missionaries in a
noble cause, but let us first attend to the en-
slaved and unconverted in Britain — here isthe
stronghold of the enemy. And now, Mr. Mc-
Olinn, while you and I try to devise some
plan to keep our increasing flock together,
perhaps you, Miss Pop, might consult your

m<l|

172

EXETER HALL.

its
41

His!;""*

■O

r:T"

I '-7

■f

lejyal advisor, should ho favor us with anotlier
visit. Mr. Hross ini^ht be aljlo to su^jjrat
how we can lawfully pnivcnt Mr. Capel from
wandeiinj; away to distant lands.'*

Dopressod as Mr. McUlinn must have been
at the tiuio he called to pay this last visit,
the short stay he made at Ilanipstead served
greatly to cheer his spirits, and to give him
confidence in the future. His benevolent host
Mas ever ho[»eful, and ever anxious to forward
the interests of the deserving. It was most
gratifying to learn that the health of Mrs.
Mannors was very much improved, and that
there was every probability of her complete
and speedy restoration ; during the last mouth,
there had been a markcnl improvement. He
had also the pleasure of meeting his American
friend, Mr. Samuel Styles, the late keeiwr at
the Home. Doctor Buster's career was freely
discussed ; his death had caused a great sensa-
tion iu the religious world, and almost to the
last, a certain pious journal in tlie Presbyti'dan
interest persisted -in asserting that the un-
timely end of the estinuible and talented
moderator was the sad result of insanity, in-
duced by the systematic persecution of certain
noted infidels, aided, it was to be deplored, by a
few jealous sectarians who claimed to be
ministers and servants of the living (iod. The
Kev. Andrew Campbell also favorea such re-
ports ; but his ojjinion was somewhat altered
Avhen he made the very unydeasant discovery
that he was held responsible to the city bank
for a thousand pounds, drawn by the late Doctor
Buster a day or two before his death. Other
revelations also tended to place the defunct
inoderator in no very enviable light, and for
some time afterward when church-members,
and br('tlirt;n, and sisters, still strong in the
Lord, ventured to allude to their once re-
nowned ])reacher — their denominaticmal idol
— they were wont to exclaim, "Alas ! alas ! how
are the mighty fallen."

Before the ex-priest took his departure from
Hampstead, it was arranged that Mr. Styles,
who was desirous of visiting Ireland, should
accompany him ; this was most agreeable.
And as Mr. Mannors was recommended to
give his wife the benefit of change of air
and change of scene, being anxious to see
Mr. Capel again, he thowght a trip to Ireland
would be just the thing. To the delight of
Mr. McOlhin, he therefore promised that ho
and his wife and daughter would meet them
m Cork on the first of May. The aiUicted
widow of the late Doctor Buster and her only
child had been kindly cared for at Heath Cot-
tage ; about two weeks previously, they had
been taken by friends to Bristol.

The two travelers who had lu'ld a conversa-
tion on ihe deck of tlie steauier have no
doubt been recognized as Father Tom and
his American friend. Styles ; they lauded in
QueeniJtown, and, having remained a day iu
that favorite resort, started again on a fine
spring morning. As they passed up the river,
the scenery along the banks of the " pleasant
waters " seemed enchanting; in an hour or
two they heard the melody of the Shandon
bells, and found one true friend to give them
a cordial greeting on their arrival in the j
" Beautiful City." I

CHAPTER XXXV.

Mns. Mannous was at Hampstead again,
mentally restored, but still rather weak and
worn after months of dreary cimfinement,
and after the ju'culiar treatment to which she
had been Hul»jected in that other Home, out
of which comparatively few indeed had ever
escai)ed. Oh ! how grateful she f«;lt for the
blessing of reason. She had but a dim
recollection of her long restraint, yet she
guessed at the sad truth ; painful to her nuiino-
ry, it recurred like a confus^nl, dismal dream.
Yes, she was home and restored, and at times
she almost wept at what seenuid to be to her a
fresh evidence of mercy. Anotlu^r glorious
morning had again appeared, she could !■ )ok up
to the mild heavens and see the early lark soar-
ing in tho blue sky. Springtime liad again
returned with its budding beauty ; slie could
see the garden -walks fringed once more with
the variegated, ornamental work of nature, and
she could even look calmly upon the distant
glittering cross of St. Paul's, and watch the
sunlight Hinging beams over tho Surrey hills ;
yet nothing visionary came to disturb her
imagination — it was hai)pines8. She was
again in her own pleasant cottage ; there were
those around her who showed the nu)st aflec-
tionate care, and nothing was left undone to
win her back to^hcerfulness : even Flounce
seemed doubly attached ; he followed her
about, and in short, quick barks tried to nuike
her understand his d(!light. She was still
religious, but that feeling came back in si,
subdued form, more under the control of her
reason. She had an increased regard for her
husband, but as yet none of her old anxiety
concerning his conversion. At first she won-
dered Avhat had become of Mr. Capel ; it
seemed strange that he shonld not be there
to greet her, and she fancied that he was still
away on the circuit calling sinners to repent-
ance ; and then often as she thought of her
dear, lost boy — her great bereavement — her
true maternal nature ])aid its repeatcnl tribute
to his memory. As for poor Hannah, she was
delighted ; what pleasure she anticipated in
again being privileged to give a relation of
her spiritual trials and conHicts to her best
friend, and though particularly warned to say
little or nothing to luir mistress on the sub-
ject of religion, she could scarcely withhold
pious ejaculations, and, as soon as she was
alone, she would conunenco with renewed
vigor to praise the Lord and take a look at
John Bunyan.

It was now the end of April ; in a few days
they would start for Ireland. Mr. Mannors
had made evi^y necessary arrangement, and
he anticipated good results from tlie excur-
sion. His wife would, no doubt, be greatly
benefited, and for certain reasons he was
particularly desirous of uuietiug Mr. Capel ;
indtH'd, what he had heard from Mr. Mc(jlinn
only made hiiu more anxious in this particular,
and it did not lessen him iu his estimation ;
he was rathtu* more strongly impress(Hl with
tho idea that his daughter's hnppiue8sd»>pend-
ed a good deal upon tlie course which that gen.
erous young man nught determine to pursue
Ue never mentioned this matter to Mrs. Man,

\ii

EXETER HALL.

173

!ad n^ain,
wciiik aiul
liini'iiunt,
vvhidi sho
lIoiiK^, out

luid ever
•It for tho
it a (liiu
t, yet »bo
ln-r moiuo-
lal dream.
(I at times
he to her a
p glorious
lUi liokup

lark soar-
liad a<rain

pile could
more with
lature, and
he distant
watch the
rrey hills ;
isturb her

yiio was
there were
most aft'ec-
und(mo to
n Flounce
owed her
n\ to make

was still
back in a,

rol of her
ird for her
Id anxiety
t she won-

Capel ; it
t be there
e was still

rei)ent-
it of her

nent — her
■d tribute
she was
pated in

1 at ion of
her best

led to say
the sub-

witlihold
she was
renewed

a look at

few days
Mannors
nent, and
le excur-
jvreatly
he was
•. Capel ;
iMcUlinn
articular,
tiiniition ;
8(h1 with
s d(>pend.
that acn.
o pursue^
Irs. ManJ

nors; ho felt somewhat reluctant, he wished
to wait until it was jjerhaps more matured.
lie well knew that she had Ijecn very jiartial
toward the youn;; [)reacher, and thoiijfii sh(>
had heard of his resignation and expulsion,
still her discriminati(m led her f o lu-lieve him in
natural dispotsitirm to be one of the excellent of
tho earth. She, of course, regretted his apos-
tasy ; however, she could make an allowance
for his d( lection, for she was im lined to think
that Mr. Baker had been too peremptory un<l
seven; ; but. uotwithstandinjjf what had passed,
she entertained hf)pes that at st^me future day
Mr. Capel would return to the church like a
rej)entant prodi^jal.

Tinii' flew by ; they Avere to leave home next
day. Hannah, and another jnous woman, and
liobert were to remain in charije of the; house ;
the family mi^ht be a week or two away. One
who was to bt; left thouffht such a chance a
godsend, and she had resolved to make the
most of it. Hannah i)rivately determined that
when she had the place to herself she would
disregard all iirotestatic^ns from Robert or any
one (ilse. and tumble out, scrub, and overhaul
every tiling she could lay hands on ; she an-
ticipat«;d a term of delijrhtful confusion, and,
eajjer for her task, she was impatient to have
full control of the premises.

Trunks and boxes had at last been packed,
and every one had retired #ir the nijjht ; re-
lK)se came to all others, but Mary Mannors
could not sleep. It was an hour of stillness ;
she sat at her window and looked out ])ensive-
ly uj)on the calm, moonlit scenery. The tall
trees were motionless, and their younj^ leaves
scarcely stirred in the soft whispers of the
night air. What were her thoughts'? Per-
haps in less than another week she would
know her fate — she would learn that which
might juake her either hajipy or wretched for-
ever. She loved — was it a flower that Avas
doomed to wither prematurely V She hid the
flume from ail, and now it was consuming her
own bosc^m. Alone she could think of llenry
Capel, and she was thinking of him now.
AViiat if he had truly determined to leave all
and go to a distant land ? She well knew that
if one word from her could bid him stay : she
could not speak it — she could not even by one
word avert her doom. Yet she had hopes ; she
had been greatly encouraged by what Mr. Mc-
(ilinn had said about his friend. Did he not
write often about Hampstead, and allude to
her as bising an angel, and tlien was he not
anxituis to get rich ? What could that be for V
She had often and often heard him say that
lie cared not for wealth, that lie conld be sat-
isfied with a modest portion, Avitli an humble
home and peace of mind. Could it be possi-
ble that. he wished to get rich for her sake?
Would that that were his desire ! She would
then tell him, yes, tell him how — but, alas!
her lips would be scialed ; she could never tell
him how dear he would be to her, even were
he in the most abject poverty. No ; it might
be that at their nt;xt interview, should he tell
her of his intended voyage, she would seem
only a little surprised, might appear quite in-
ditTerent, and then that wretched simulation
might drive him away forever. Poor Mary!
she soon forgot her troubles in quiet slumbers,

, and bright dreams again brought visions of
j happiness.

'I'liey had been nearly a week in Cork.
1 What a meeting of true friends ! It was a
wi.-ek of happiness to Mr. Mannors, a week
j of great restoratitm to his wife, and a lu'riod
I of almost perfect bliss to two young persona
wlios|)ent much time together. Mr. ^lc(^linn
; began to see matters in a different light ; the
i i)roposals he had made to his friend Harry
I conc(!rning a seminary were likely to be ren-
I dered futile by the proposal which he fancied
that that young gtmtlenian would very prob-
ably soon make himself to another person.
He began to suspect something of this kind,
and at the first ojiportunity he gave a sly hint
to Mr. Capel, which made liim blush like a
girl. Samuel Styles evidently understood
what was going on, and rather increased the
young man's diffidence by telling him with
the most serious face to go ahead, at the same
time giving a side nod toward Miss Mannors ;
and it was plainly seen that Mr. Mannors favor-
ed the; intercourse which he saw was so satis-
factory to all, and which for a long time it had
been his own desire to establish.

The strangers were delighted with the city
and its attractive environs ; they had been
from Black Rock to Ballincollig at Glanniire
and at Sundays- Well, and at other places of
resort ; everywhere the scenery was most
charming. Mr. Manners projiosed to visit an
old friend in Mallow, but as Mrs. Mannors
wished to see the Lakes of Killarney, it was
agreed that Samuel Styles should acc(mipany
Mr. Mannors, while Mr. Capel, much to his
satisfaction, was to escort the ladies. Mr.
McGlinn had business to detain him in the
city, and he would await their return.

In a few days they all met again. Mrs.
Mannors could scarcely speak of any thing
else until she had told the same story over
and over about the beauty of the far-famed
lak(^s and of the exquisite scenery of the neigh-
borhood. Miss Mary had nearly filled her
l)orlfolio with sketches; her devoted chaperon
had pointed out the most attractive landscaj)cs,
and she was entirely guided by him in tho
selection of views ; as it was, she somehow
found singular difficulty in transferring them
to papcjr ; but they would answer well enough
to remind her in after-years of some of the hap-
piest days of her life. During their stay, they
had sailed upon the crystal waters from one
fairy-like spot to another, they had had little
private picnics on romantic islands, and had
visited retreats sacred to lovers' vows.
Whether Henry Capel ever had an opportunity
of taking any advantage which such retreats
might have afforded and of finding sufficient
courage to make an avowal on his own account
has not been made known ; as far as this was
concerned, he was rather reticent ; but if words
did not reveal the secret, there was a tell-tale
expression in his face wliich might fully sat-
isfy even such as were not very close observers
that he liad most probably asked some partic-
ular person a very particular favor, and that it
had been granted. Any way, after he had re-
turned, nothing more was heard about crossing
the stoTny sea or of going to Australia ; instead
of thni, Lis excursive notions wandered no

'^1

174

EXETER HALL.

,'•«•*'

r**

i-^;-^l

further than "Blarney " — to that ph\co ho pro-
posed a visit. Father Tom reconVucnded him
to be sure and kiss the famous stone, for the
salve of good luclv ; after that he would acquire
a pi'culiar kind of assurance, and might ven-
ture such an attempt upon a softer and more
impressivi! substance.

They were at Ilam pstead once more. During
their absence Hannah had worked wonders —
every thing around the place had a shiny,
smiling appearance ; every piece of furniture
looked brisk and polished, just as if it were in-
clined to laugh ; the garden ai)peared to yield
its greatest profusion of flowers, the birds
to sing sweeter and loiider. The fountain
gushed up higlier, sparkling in the clear air
like liquid light, and the tall trees, crowned
Avith azure, seemed to whisper joyful news to
each other — murmuring softly, lest the listen-
ing black feathered rooks in their branches
slunxld overhear the tidings. Nature seemed
to have come out in holivlay garb ; the earth
and t'le heavens were alike serene and beau-
tiful.

Hannah had received a hint that tjicre
might ])robably be a great day at the cottage,
and she did her best to meet the occasion.
Truly she had succeeded so well that Mr.
Mannors himself was surprised at tlie change ;
upon his arrival he gave her a gold coin,
which, ■'.'ith a nice pr .sent from her mistress,
greatly pleasixl the iidustrious maid.

Although Henry Capel had given up the
notion of crossing the wide sea, yet he readily
cros.sed St. George's Channel to link his fate
with one whom to gain he would have Avill-
ingly braved the dangers of a thousand
oceans, in order to try and procure that
thousand nounds, the possession of which
might embolden him to plead for the hand
that was soon to be his. Mr. Mannors had
long discovered his true worth, and felt as-
sured that one so noble in mind, so honorable
in conduct, and so unseltish as he had already
proved, would be more liki^ly to maktj his
daughter hai)i)y than a wealthy suitor wit ii-
out such sterling jjrinciples ; and soon as he
was convinced tiiat Mary Mannors had more
than an ordinary regard for Hinry CajH'], he
made a legal settlement in her favor, secur-
ing to her Buflicient property to place her in
easy circumstances. He had lost Ids only son,
and to a certain extent no one could so well
fill his place as the person on whom his
daughter had fixeu her atl'ections.

The day had been named when the wedding
was to tiike place. Father Tom — his frii'nd
Harry woidd call him nothing else — had been
prevailed upon to rrturn with the little party ;
Mr. Mainioi's would hear of no excuse. Samuel
Styles would hw there, and a select few — every
thing v.as settled. A beautiful day daw led ;
the sunb'.MUus rushed down like invited guests,
they danced in the garden, flung the l'ragranc(!
from the flowers, and tlusu lin;, red around
the doorway, lo(.\ed in a*: the windows, and
peejjed into every place Vt'heri' a shadow might
hide, as if to chase it away ; and then they
Beemed mingling and Jjliding through the
pure aiv as if weav ng a garland of light for
the br)'.v of the biide.

The Lonevoleut Martin Jlaunore never

looked more happy; ho was radiant with
smiles, and his wife was serene and cheerful.
Father Tom felt an inspiration of wit, and
Mr. Samuel Styles threatened matrimony
on his return to America. The young people
were married, there was a sumi'tuous repast,
others were not forgotten, every poor family
in the neighborhood had a better dinner than
usual on that day, and many of the homeless
ones were seated in the garden and fed bounti-
fully ; and when Henry Capel and his bride
entered the carriage to start upon a wedding
tour, a number of persons — young, old, healthy
and decrepit—who had assembled on the road-
side, regarded the married pair with the great-
est interest, and the murmured wishes for
their happiness and long life could be heard
around ; and when at last the vehicle moved
off there was an impulsive cheer, and Father
Tom, who stood at the gate, gave a lusty shout,
and then, with considerable force, flung an
old shoe after the open carriage, which most
fortunately just escaped the bridegroom's
head.

The May meetings at Exeter Hall had again
taken place. The great Bible Society had
once in(n-e made its annual effort. The same
distinguished chairman had presided, many
of the lordly and reverend speakers had
made their fresh appeals, and almost a repe-
tition of the san^ glowing speeches had been
delivered exaltiiip^the Great Book, and show-
ing what had been done for the benighted
during the past year. The widow's mite, the
pe^ice of the poor, and the gold of the weal-
thy had been jjoured into the treasury of thli
Lord, even in (excess of previous years, but
still the receipts were wretchedly dc'ficicnt.
Sacerdotal ingenuity was again set to its task,
and the omnipotence of words was reipiired
to overwhelm reason and conquer hearts.
Studied meta]>hors, perfected flashes of ora-
tory, ami skillfully prepared fidminations —
matured masteriueces of burning eloquence,
as if fresh creations of a semi-insjiired imagi-
nation — had been flung like thiuuler-bolts
among the mass of awe (struck hi-arers, and
I had again aroused the echoes of the great
I Hall, and, with culminating grandenr, evoked
the feelings of an almost breathless assembly.
I The effect was produced ; help, juoi'e helji, was
i re(iuired in the cause (tf the l^orl against the
i mighty, and liberal aid had ..gain been se-
cured to fortify j)riestcraft and in'olerance.
I Since the last anniversary, tlujv.sands, it was
said, had ])erished for lack of knowledge, and
! alas! thousands who knew not tins Lord were
now on the road to eternal ruin. The; mourn-
ful cry, Save us, save us! came from afar; it
was a shriek of woe, an alarm that should
awake to jiowerful action entire Christendom.
Infideli.y was still defiantly holding np its ac-
, cursed jiead ; let it not defile the land. Bri-
tish Christians were adjured to unite in n
greater effort for its overthrow, and they wer(!
imi)lored to occupy and retain their present
advanced and distinguished position in the
, cause of the glorious Gosjx'l.
'' Siu'h were tiie delusiv*; repetitions of Exe-
I ter Hall. Princely ]irelates and richly eii-
I dowed priests in eloqiu-nt flights entreating
i the orthodox on behalf of those in foreign

idiant with
id cheeifu].
of wit, and
matrimony
>unjr people
nous repast,
[)Oor family-
dinner than

10 homeless
I fed bounti-
id his bride

a wedding
old, healthy
on the road-
h the great-
wishes for
Id bo heard
bicle moved
and Father
lusty shout,
;e, flung an
which most
iridegroom's

11 had again
Society had

The same
=iided, many
eakers had
iiost a repe-
les had been
I, and show-
e benighted
v's mite, the
of the weal-
isury of thb
3 years, but
ly deficient,
t to its task,
as rccjuired
ler hearts,
ics of ora-
minations —
eloquence,
ircd imagi-
luidcr-bolta
arers, and
the great
"r, evoked
H asscmlily.
e help, was
gainst the
II been se-
>lerance.
ands, it was
rtledge, and
Lord were
'lie mourn-
im alar ; it
hat nhould
iristeniiom.
r up its ac-
Innd. I'jii-
unite in a
d they were
I'ir I'rescnt
iou in the

ons of Exe-
richiy en-
eulrrating
in foreign

EXETER HALL.

175

lands assumed to l)o perishing for lack of
knowledge, while the increased ramiber of
those in their very midst, who were known to
be actually perishing for lack of food, claimed
but a secondary consideration, and were too
often left to depend upon the humane impulses
of the " ungodly," or upon the charitable
efforts of unbelievers.

In conversati(m with his friends on this suL
,iect, Mr. !Mannors said :

" It has been the cause of great surprise to
many why there should be so much poverty
even in the very midst of abundance, and
comparatively few liave ventured to ask why
there should be any at all. It is taken for
granted that indigence is the necessary condi-
tion of some, and divines have ever encour-
aged the notion that povca-ty is often a bless-
ing in disguise ; for they assert that the poor
belong to tlie Lord—' Hath not God chosen
the poor of this world?' Yet, Avhile lauding
destitution — for beggary i'avors humility and
dependence — tl '• ' hurch, as a gtnieral rule, has
shown its worldly wisdom l)y the most con-
temptible pandering to wealth and power.

" The rapid increase of pauperism has as-
tounded the benevolent. Tlie millions of vic-
tims to starvation in Ireland, in India,
throughout Europe, and almost in every part
of the earth where Christianity and its fos-
tered civilization have control, have stai'tled
many to serious thought, but -have scarcely
affected the equanimity of rulers or priests.
In times of great privation, instead of imme-
diate retrenchment, armies are increased as if
to avert a threatent^l danger, and while fam-
ine gloats over its thousands, priests ply their
trade and collect for missions ; and these
funds, accumulated for the spread of the (fos-
pel, must not be diverted from their legiti-
mate course, even to allay the pestilence of
want. Priestly policy, to be sure, assumes to
lead in elforts at benevolence, and as ostenta-
tious charity has subsi'rved the interests of
religion, institutions were founded in which
the poor might find temporary refuge, but
Buch wretched relief only engendered a de-
pendency upon the priesthood, and gainwl a
spurious reputation for a class who gave back
but a tenth of M'luit they had extorted in the
name of the Lord.*

" The great (piestion occurs, Why does so
much destitution exist ? The iirominent cause
arises fnmi the pau])erizing tendtiicy of re-
ligion; the in.satiable greed of ]»rie8ts has
been too well established. A grciit portion
of the wealth of England is absorbed by them,
and wiuit do tlicy give in return? They h:iv(!
impov<'rislu'(l Irehuul as well as Italy, and the
pres(>nt condition of Austria, liussia, France,
S|'ain, and dtliiu' countries of Europe fully
attests that where a nation has to supjiort
such vast numbers of non-jiroducers called
ecclesiastics, priests, or ]ire;u'liers, drones claim-
ing exemiilion from labor, and in most cases
from taxation, an additional Inirden must of
necessity be placed upon the shoulders of the
pe()[)le. it nuiy b(^ fairly asserted that
throughout Europe, for evi'ry priest you will
find ten soldiers, and for (svery soldier ten ac-

•» SCO Noto K.

tual paupers. Religion- must h.ive priests,
nationality soldiers, and poverty is the com-
mon otlspring of both. Keligion and nati(m-
ality, the theme of moralists, poets, and trans-
cendentalists, have been in my opinion the
most fertile sources of misery to mankind."'*

" Well, I rather guess they have," said
Samuel Styles. " I inaigine I know a little of
what religion has done to delay progress and
turn things in general upside down. Nation-
ality has parceled out the whole earth hiio
little garden-patches like a great field divided
and fenced oil' into acres. The man scjuatted
in the north corner lancies that the man in
the south is a kind of inferior crittur ; and if
they make out to quarrel about nothing —
say 'on a point if honor — why then they go at
it and rob and plunder each other all they
can — and that's so much to the account of na-
tional glory ! If the man in the east boasts
that the sun rises for his sole advantage, the
man in the Avest feels called ui)on to resent
the insult and cut a foreign thnmt if he can.
That's called — patriotism. That's just how
it works. What bosh ! A streak of mean self-
ishness CT.alted to a virtue. Yes, sir, religion
and nationality have worked harmoniously to-
gether for the benefit of kings and priests,
but have just left the world where it is."

" Those who have thought most on the sub-
ject," said Mr. Manners, " admit that subdi-
visions, nationalities, and creeds are favorable
to despotism — the world united would bo
free. Continue the distinction of races, tribes,
clans, and <;aste, and you keep mankind forever
in bonds, and you as surely perpetuate the jeal-
ousy, hatred, and strife which have Arisen from
such c(mditions. Another evil is the unfair
listribution of land. If the state claims to
own the land, and apportions it only to a fev ,
those who own no share of the soil, and who
can not therefore produce food, shoidd not be
allowed to suffer in consequence. The un-
equal distribution of land throughout Britain
is infanu)us. Every nuui who has a desire to
cultivate! a portion of the soil should hav(^ an
allotment of the same for that purpose. Talk
of vested rights — rights secured to one at the
expense of deprivation and destitution to hun-
dnnls! The people should own the soil in as
fair and reasonalde proportions as possible.
But how is it here'^ A viliMucjuopoly. There
are in the United Kingdom seventy-ono mil-
lions of acres, there are al)out thirty millions of
inhabitants, and yet the entire land is in the
hands of less than thirty thousand landlords,
a vast quantity of the samcs being vested in
the State Church. One hundred and iit'ty
nu'U aetiuiUy own the hall' of England, and
twelve men own the half of Scotland! Of
the whole (luantity, less than nineteen mil-
lions of acres are under tillage and over
thirty-live millions of acres entirely unculti-
vated. Were no })erson perniiiti'd to own
say over a thousand acres — which would bo
(piite suUicient for all reasou:il)le jiurposes —
what a vast improvement it would be to the
nation as well as to the Individ mil ! But mark
the seltislin(>ss of some, particularly of the
arintocmcy. The Duke of Cleveland has an

* Sec Noto L.

iil

EXETER HALL.

state tweiUn-thrcc 'milm nloiij? tlie jMiblic \ renu'dy Avould bo [ilaiii and simple, Tlio first

i***- 'if

,'1^1,

lii<rli\viiy ; tJic Duke of Devonshire owns
niiictynix t/ioi/xdrid acres in the county of
Derby alone, bes-iidiss other innneiise estates
throupfhout the three kingdoms ; the Duke of
Kicluuond has tfnrc liundral thoimnnd acres
at Gordon Castle, and fovti/ thoiiKiiin/ sxcyvh at
Goodwood, besides vast estates at other places

{freat move in social r((fonn should be a re-
storation of natural rights. Every brute
creatui-e free from man's control finds a boun-
tiful supply in the lap of nature. Was less
provision made for nu\n V Every hunuui bein^'
is entitled to li<j;ht, air, food,' cloth in<f, and
shelter; these are >i(((inril rir//if», of which to

the Duke of Norfolk's parlc in Sussex is ff- \ dei)rive any man is to desjioil, to rob. Every
tfii'ii vtifes in circumferenct! ; the Manjuis of j government shoukl jruaranteti those ri<rhts
Breadalbane can ride a lunidred miks in a I and make them respecti'd ; this sliould Ix; a
straig'ht line on his own ])roperty; the Duke j first and principal duty. Our poor-law system
of Sutherland oitns ail entire coxrtti/ in ' is based u])(m the priiiciph^ that liumaii crea-
Scothuid, from sea to sea. Other instances of; tures must not be allowed to starve, thatthey
such ra]iacious monopoly could be fjiven, but I have a i";]:ht to food ; 1 at instead of prop(>rly
the list is lonjjf enough. Two thirds of the land recorrnizing this beneficent law, wt; delay in
ov.'ne..l by such persons is totally unimjiroved, j most cases until they are reduced to the most
and those already in possession of immense abject want before relief is ()t!er;'(l; then
estates are eager to acquire more. Tiie late; ! charity becomes a mark of degradation. How
Marchioness of Staft'ord took from her tenants ! does the state assent V It seldom interferes
over sccen hundred and idncti/-fonr thouaand | until famishing men are driven to pauperism
acres, which had been held by them or their i or crime, and as soon as they have become
fathers for centuries! What can be expected | disreputable or infamous they are fed ami
but discontent and povinty when good land '< cared for. The uncom])laining jjoor mny suf-
Js thus monopolized and diverted from culti- ' fer without relief until terribh^ hunger has
vaiion for the purpose of enlarging jirivate ! overcome their good resolves; but when at
parks, or of being made into forests or sheep- ! last they become debauched by poverty, and
walks? Is not this another fertile cause of i trained to felony by want, then they are'quali-
discontent? Should such exclusive" jiossession \ fied for tlu^ grateful sludter of a pristm and
be allowed to continue'? Attempt to refortn ■ entitled to tlje food and protection lor which
the abuse for the benefit of the i)lundered ■ they had perhaps reluctantly bartered their
masses, and religion will" side with the rajia- honor.

cious, will pervert id"as of justice, and '-ry i "How d<>plorable ! To prevent this, all
out for vested rights; attempt a revolution, ! should have their natural rights, rich and
the church will ]m^ach obedience to pr)wer, ; poor alike. Those in need should be abh^ to

it will stand by the opi)ressor, and' grow fran-
tic in denunciation."

" Well, I often heard," said Mr. Styles,

avail themselves of tlu^ food, clothing, and
shelter ready to be dispensed by the state.
Of course, there should l)e a limitation until

"that they used to hold pretty considerable the system became general; a country or
estates down South ; but for one nutn to hang nation could only afl'ord to keep its own ])eo-
(m to a hundred miles of land right along in ]ile, just as a ])arish now kee]!s its own ])oor.
a straight line, is alxiut the tallest kind of What was given should of necessity be i)lain,
ownership I ever hoiU'd of. I liUi> your idea but good and sutHcient ; it should l-e furnished
of limiting a man to a thousand acres. Even ' as a right, not doled out as a charily. 'J'liat
that's too much of good, arable land ; yet 'tis ! which the rich or ])ros])erous might decline
a great improvement, and I hope to S( • it car- , to acce])t could beestinuited, and an allowance

ried out yet, even were it in Old Virg ny."

" 'Tis dreadful to thiidi that such a state of
things should continue to exist," resumed Mr.
Mannors. "There should be no such thing

made for the same on any claim held against
them by the government. Those who wislicd
for better than the state had to furnish should
gain it by tlieir own industry, 'i'luis, while

as actual poveity ; there is enough for all ; yet ; all wen^ insured against ])ositive want, there
what deplorable sutti'ring from mismanage- wotdd y<>t be an incentive to hibor ; those who
ment and injustice ! Many schemes have beeti j wislied to advanci' in sncial pesirion woidd
advanced to riil the world of pau]>ers. Civili- have to be diligent in order to imp' ve their
zation often lets them perish. ("omniunisiS, • own condition. In connection •• . this, a
socialists, and moral and political n'formers ' liberal education perfecitly free fr< n sectarian
of every degree hav(^ been ]ier])lexed with the ' bias should be placed within the reach of
problem of poverty — but to what efVectual all.

pnr])ose'.' Unfortunately it has been too fre- i "In such a i)lan of benevolence fairly in
(|Uently assumed that privation is normal, i practice theiu; need b(> no obtrusive socialism ;
Whence is ghastly pauperism that prolific ; (^vf.'ry one, as circumstances jx'nu'tted, would
parciut of crime'/ It stalks through the land ; bn at full liberty to accei)t or refust! that
with blanched face and hollow cheek, sifting I which \\w government had for distrilmtion.
th(^ garbages of cess-])ools, and living— yes, , I'A'tU'y industrious person cnuld iic(|uire i>ro
liriiif/ — <ii refuse and rottenness, and watching perty, livt; in his own lanise, and improve his
with wolfish scowl for plunder, or, it> nniy be, ! own couditi(.n, just as at ]>reseiit. independent
for blood ! Whence this phantom of moral and ' of all others; but the state should nuike no
physical diseaseV It is the otl'spriug ol' fraud class distinction in the aiipro)>riaMHn of simple
and oppression, the certain ri'sult of a ilepriva- necessaries, just as no distincii'in or exemp-
tion of hunuin rights. Poverty is simjily the tion would be maile among those liable to
ctVect of a contiuued wron;' ; yet, if govern jiiiy a rated ]troporlion of taxes. 'I'heve is
uients were based on just principles, the generally an abundance of food to l)e. had, if

exp:ter hall.

17'

Tlio first
.1(1 1)0 a rc-
,'cry brutu
ds a boun-
Was less
inanbciniT ^
(liin<r, ami
t' which to
)b. Every
osi! riiifhts
hould b(! a
law system
iiinan croa-
', thatthoy
>f \)r(>p('rly
\-{', delay in
<> the most
■r^'il ; then
.tion. How
1 interferes

pauperism
ive become
•o fed ami
or mny suf-
luinfrer has
lit when at
overly, and
■y are quali-

priscm and
n for which
iterod their

nt this, all
s, rich and
d bo able to
ilhinpr, and
y Ihe state,
tut ion imtil
country or
IS own peo-
s <iwn i)oor.
ty bo ))lain,
■<■ furnished
rity. That
ubt decline
|n allowimce
1(1 ajjalnst
l\\ ill) wislied
nisli should
Thus, while
want, then;
; those who
lion would
p' ve their
. this, a
a sectarian
(> reach of

!• fairly in
socialism ;
Itted, would
refuse^ tliat
listriluition.
|c(iuire pro
Improve his
Hieiiendent
d make no
|in of siiupie
or exemp-
K' liable to
'riiere is
|) iK'. hud, if

not in one country, in anotluT, and the ' it up; for ev(m in Yankee land, thouo-h wo
provernment storehouses should always be may be a leetle ahead of all creation in some
amply provided. It is not probable, however, ' matters, we an't yet quit(! perfect. Our jrov-

ernmeut is yet bat an elective monai'chy ; we

that oven a third of tin? i)Opulatiou of any i
country would ever avail themselves of such
assistance.

" The establishment of any such systcnn
would, in my opinion, be a remedy for the
evil of pau])erism, and the only (.-ertain on(.'
of which I can conceive. It miirhtb'. ... iev ry j
simple, and, in the lonjjf run. less o. no mon; !
costly than ev(;n the heavy penalty result) n<f
from the wretched and unjust frovernmental
policy, and tin? disr(5putal)le di])loinatic shifts
and stratajrems which have obtained for cen-
turies, and which, besides ciratiiiH' innumerii-
blo woes, hav(! vastly increased national ob-
lifjations. The rich could not reasonably
complain, for all would bo privilejied to par-
take alike, and heavy imjiosts, i'ov which the
wealthy are now mainly liable, would be, no
doubt, o-reatly reduc(^'d, and mnny others en-
tirely abolished. The ])()or would be nuide
more! virtuous, and would not bo the humili-
ated recii)ionts of a stinted, morosi! charity.
IIun.fy(>r, that (jfreat incentive to (;rimo, would
be appeasiid. Even if actuated by no hiorher
motive, prevention would bo better than cure,
and man would feel more difjnitied, more
jrrateful, ami mor(i inclined to do what
was corr(!ct when ho learned to know his
ritrhts, and found them respected ; whtsn
he was cared for by his i)arent state, instead
of bein<4" sliunned as an (uitcast, ])rostrate(l by
])oV''rty, and treated in many res])ects wi)rs(i
'than a l)east. And then what a hai)i)y result

must ji^et rid of the ' oiavman ])ower ;' wo
want no uncrowned kin^^s — our ])r(>iden-
tial elections are sinks of political corruittion,
into which all parties iiluiifrc. W<' need no
costly prc'sidents to {juide our shi]) of
state — they mostly rule for a ])arty ; and be-
fore we are entitled to be called the '(Jreat
Republic,' we must finst be a true re])ublic;
wo must hav(! an economical jyovernnuint,
more sinii)](! — like that of the Swiss, than that
of llashy, imperial France. 'T would do our
senators and conirressmeu no harm to take a
friendly hint on;'e in a while from sudi a tibi^ral
British cousin ; i". might pjive us a fresh start
in advan(;o and lo many a world (.f g-ood ;
and, actinj,^ at once m\ your ide:i, wi? mijjfht still
lead on in the cause f)f human ])ro(^ress."

Father Tom, who .lad been listenin<>- atten-
tively to all that had been said on tluj sub-
ject, seenHMl to have b^en much struck with
the benevolence of the plan. lb; remained
silent and reflective for ^omo moments, and
then, lookino- up at Mr. X^annors, exclaimed,
" Wore Britain to lead in tuis matter, wliat a
post of honor it would occup\ in the world!"

" It would, no doubt," continued Mr. Man-
nors ; " bui. some of our so-called o-r(>ut states-
men are so \.'odde(l to their prejudices that it
will be dilficult to move thwn in a new direc-
tion. I am aware that diiliculti(;s exist which
may bo urovd ao^ainst brinjjfinrj such a systtim
to a i)rac'ical issue ; but those dillicubics nro
nmro ima^nnary than real. Timid i)olitician»

to. the state itself — less misery, less discontenf,

less de<j;ra(latiou, less crime, and perliaps, j may i)r()bal)ly elaborate as to the exjx-nse-,.
eventually, far less expensi;! Indeed, what it without makinpf a just estinuvte of the (>'iY'at
now costs to keep u)) additional ariuameuts, advantaires (o Ix; (jraimMl ; they nniy draw a
armies, pnlic(>, and numerous aids to su])i)ress line of distinction between the country and
the turbul(Mice created by wronjjf lejfislation, | thepeo ile, and whih; heedless and oxtravajjant
besides that which is r(.'(iuired to put numo- i in upholding!: the honor of the one, may bo
rous i)ains and penalties in force, and tlie im- ' still almost indifferent as to the poverty and
mens(! sums wasted for many unworthy i)ur- degradation of the other. They may con-
poses, would do miii'h to meet this new and just tiniie to take a wrono' idea of whut is riti'ht —
demand fir national benevolence; aiulastliei* i just as fals(f notions are still entertaiu'd as to
is tjenerally an excess of ollicials in jrovern- 1 what is virtue or what is crime. However,
meut employ, none in addition wouhl be re- j until a full imutsure of jnsaco is meted out to
(jnired. ' all, until there is a full riistoration of human

" I can not ejo into details more fully at ]>re- 1 rijxhts, it .should bo tlu; f>T(-at duty of tho
sent; but the mamuxemeiit reejarding plain j nation to make suitabh; provision for all of its
buil(lin<rs, with ijardens or e:roiinds to cuUi- peijple in actual need, siekiK^ss, or di.-^tresB,
vate if possilile, to be called, say, ])ublic and f)r the children of such, until they are
homes, not 'poor-houses' or 'houses of educated and able to do for themselves, 'i'hose
refu<r(>.' and tleit concernin;x f'^'' distribution : who an; willin;r to labor, but who can find no
of fuid and cl"tiiiny', could be made very sim- . employment, should not be left a jjnwtohun-
\)\c; honest and careful leijrislatioii is only re-
(piired lo start tin; ;i-reat experiment. And
satislied am 1 that the names of thos.i wlio
sui)ported such a nu-asuni of justic(! and hu

O'er. If the state continues to sanciion and
uphold an uni'air distribution of land, it should
eitiu-r provide work or food for thos(! who
have no land to cultivate. And next to a
niiiuity W(mld be reconh-d on millions of liv- i air.urity from deefradiniv i)overty, there should
ine- lu'arts and reii-isler(>(l for the e-ratittide of be a fr(>e education for all.

i 111 lire ae^e.-*.

" 1 fancy I S(h> whatyou'n; at," said Samuel
Styles. "" lOvery man iielone-lujr to a national
ship fools that when he turns in at night ho
is sure of his grub next day — no need of pil-
fering to get it. And you W(uild liken the
state to a greal ship, and feed and (dothe every
man on hoard. Somehow Mike llie notion —

rau|ierisin is a disgrace, a ])esti1ence which
should be stamped out were it to take the
crown jew(ds or national treasures to find
food, or had every church in the kingd(/mto
be opened and used as a shelter for the homo-
less. No nation can claim to be truly great
wliile thousands of its ])eoj)le are obliged to
go sii])peiiess to bed. (fovernmeiits must bo-

gii(;s8 'twill bear some calculation, I'll liguro, conu; more paternal, and not remain as some,

178

EXETER IIALL.

If .

01:,. J

like the sliadow of despotism upon the land. ,
Advanced ideas have had their eft'ect upon '
legislation, and the conservatism and exclusive- ,
ness of the past will no longer be tolerated. ]
And, kind friends, hoping on, may we live to
witness the fraternity of nations, and may wo
see the priest and the soldier, who have kept
them so long divided, obliged to turn to occu-
pations more in the interest of humanity."

This was Martin Mannors's prayer ; he held
out his hand and looked upward as he spoke,
there was a short pause, and then, as if with
one voice, they all exclaimed, A7nen.

In due tfme, Mr. and Mrs. Cujiel returned,
to the great joy of Mrs. Manners, and to
the thorough (lisgust of the aspiring Mr.
13ross, who, regretting having ever entertained
a favorable opinion of any person known to bo
skeptical, had rejoined the church and Sunday-
school and conmienced a redistribution of
tracts. The industrious Hannah, in the fullness
of a ha])py sj)irit, grew more fascinated with
John Bunyan ; but Robert hopes to be able to
alienate her affections to some extent from
that dreaming pillar of orthodoxy and per-
luips to legally monopolize the greater share
of them himself. Father Tom liad to leave
for Ireland, but engaged to return in a short
time and fmbaik with his friend Capel — who
with his wife had al ready become active Spiritu-
alists — in the publication of a paper intended
to advocate human rights and to expose popu-
lar superstition and priestly fraud. Samuel

Styles, who was a great favorite among tlie Sec-
ularists and Spiritiudista of London, was honor-
ed by them with a imblic dinner at the K(id
Lion, and soon afterward took passage for New-
York, bearing to the liberal bodies of that city
the fraternal greeting of their brethren in Eng-
land. Ho promised, liow(!ver, to pay Hamjv
siead another visit within a year, provided
Mr. Mannors would, in the mean time, cross
the Atlantic and hail tlit^ fi lends of fivp
thouj{ht in America. This proposal is likely
to be favorably entertained, and Martin Man-
ners may expect an enthusiastic reception.

How long still is the liunuin mind to re-
main hi the bonds of superstition ? How long
is the great delusion to continue; '? Shall m^n
learn hatred through nationality and religion,
and shall Christian priests pursue their syste-
matic extortion and maintain their mischiev-
ous rule for yet another century '! Shall annual
meetings continue to be sustained in order to
I)romote the circulation f)f that dreary volume
of " inspiration," and shall cunning words and
mystic threats drain further millions from the
credulous? It may be so for a time ; but there
are even now hopeful signs of a rescue. After
a trial of over eighteen hundred years, Chris-
tianity has so far failed in its mission. The
triumph of reason and humanity must be ac-
c(miplished, and there are those now living
who may witmsss their ascendency and cele-
brate their union and installation as the great
ruling guide and power of Exeter Hall.

■5

[or tl;e Sec-
vas lionor-
, the Hod
e for Now-
f that city
;;n in Eng-
ay llamj)-
, provided
iii.'c, cross
8 of frt*e
il is likely
irtin Man-
(■l)tion.
ind to re-
How long
Shall iii-n
d rclijifion,
heir svste-
• niiwchiev-
lall annual
n order to
try volume
words and
IS from the
; but tlu>r()
LMie. After
•ars, Chris-
sion. The
nuBt be ac-
uovv living
y and cele-
8 the great
K Hall.

APPENDIX.

NOTE A.

In Pnrltan Massacluisotts, durina the pcriotl wliirh
Cotton Miitlier called the •'Koldeii a:,'c " of tho Pil-
grims, it was fiiacti'd with re;!;ard to lierctical books :

" It is ordLTod tliat all and fvery onn of tlio inhabi-
tants of thisjurisdii^tion tliat have any books in tlieir
custody that ro under the names of John Rctevcs and
Lodowick Mufji^leton, (who pretend themselves to be
the last two witnesses,) and shall not brint; or send in
all such books to the next magistrate, shairtbrfeit £10,
and the books shall be burnt in the market-place at
Boston, on next lecture day, by the common execu-
tioner."

And respecting infidels and skeptics :

" Any one denyins; the Scripture to be the word of
God shall pay not oxceodins ^jO, and be severely
whipped not e.^ceeding tO strokes, unless he publicly
recant, In which case he shall not pay al)Ove £10, or be
whipped in case he pay not the line. And if the said
oflender after his recantation, sentence, or execution,
shall the second time publisli, and obstinately and per-
tinaciously maintain, the said wicked opinion, he shall
be bauislicd or put to deatu, as the court shall judge.''

rUPTTANISM.

It is recorded in the early history of the Puritans of
Ncw-Enjiland that—

•'The Quakers were whipped, branded, had their
ears cut olF, their tongues bored with hot irons, and
were banished upon tlie pain of death in case of their
return, and actually e.vecuted on the gallows."

It is also recorded In the same history:

" The practice of selling the natives of Nortli-Ameri-
ca into foreign !)ondage continued for two centuries.
The articles of the early Ncw-Kngland Confederacy
class persons among the spoils of war. A scanty rem-
nant of the I'equod tribe in Connecticut, tlie captives
treacherously made by Waldron in Ne\tf-Hampshire,
the harmless fragments of the trilie of Annamon' the
orplian oll'spriiig of King Pliilip himself, were all
doomed to the same hard destiny of perpetual bou-
daire."

The same history also aays :

" Where are now the i.urocrous and flourishing
tril)es of Indians whicli on''o peopled Ncw-Kngland V
Where ar(^ the N'arras. nsi its, the Peijuods, the Pokano-
kets, the Mohegans, .ira the Mohawks, to say notliiiig
of other tribes t All have disappeared from the face
of the earth, thanks to the cold-blooded policy and
heartless cruelty r,( the Puritans ! Tliey all vanished
at the llrst dawn of Puritan civilization 1 First over-
reached in trad' by the cunning Yankees, then liem-
med up within u'strieted territories, then goaded into
war. and then i:.\terminated with li:;c and sword. . .

" The Pokanokets were (fce first tribe to slielter the
Pilgrims after their landing on Plymouth Kock, and
tliey were tlie lirsl to fall victhus to their insidious and
ungritel'ul policy."

It is further rcn-ordcil in the same history:

"■ \t tlie two sessio is of the court in Sep'ombcr,
100:i, fourteen women and one man were sentenc(^(l to
deatii on charge of witchcr.att One old man of eighty
refused to plead, and by tl'at horrilile decree of thy
common law was pressed 'm dcitli.

'• Altliongh it was evident tli.it confession was the
only sat'i ty in most cases, some f( w liad co\irage to re-
tract their confessions; some eight of them were sent
to execution, '.''wenty persons had already b('en put
to deatli. eiglit more 'vcre under sentence, the jails
were full of prisoners, iviul new accusations were made
cvi'ry day."

Among the law.4 lecorded in the early history of
New-England, were the following provisions :

" No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds,
sweep house, cut liair, or shave on the Sabbath-day."

"If any man siiall kiss his wife, or wife her hus-
band, on the Lord's day, the party in fault shall be
punished at the discretion of the court of magistrates."

" No wi)nian shall kiss her child on the Sabbath or
fasting-day."

To tlieso provisions of the law the historian appends
the following note : »

" A gentleman, after an absence of some months,
reached home on the Sabbath, and, meeting his wife at
the door, kissed her with an appetite, and, for his te-
merity in violating the law, the next day was arraigned
before the court and fined for so palpable a breach of
the law on the Lord's day."

NOTE B.

The following report of the proceedings of a Bible
Society meeting, held in December, lSi!;3, at tlie city of
Hamilton, in tlie Province of Upper Canada, speaks for
itself, and shows tliat Uitle, if indeed any, exasigera-
tion lias been used in the narrative of the 'Bible-meet-
ing at Hampstead. Were it not for the reliable ac-
count of the one, the other would be asserted a libel
against Christian unity, and what strong language
might be used by '• reverend gentlemen" and pious
hearers against its reckless author.

HAMILTON BIBLE SOCIETY MEETING.

IT ENDS I.\ A TREE FIGUT.

(From the Hamilton Spectator.)

In accordance with the circular issued by Edward
Jackson, Esij., one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ham-
ilton Branch Bible Society, a meeting of the membera
was lielil iu the Mechanics' Hall yesterday evening.
The public were a'so admitted, but u.e front seata
were reserved for the members, so as to distinguish
theni from the rest of the audience. There were'from
a hundred to one hundred and fifty members present,
and about lour hundred of the general public.

Un the platform, to the right of the chair, were tlio
Pev. Messrs. Burnet, Pullar, Cheelham, and Irvin'-;
and Messrs. (". D. Kei<l, Wilson ifennedy, and A. Jlil-
roy ; on the left were the Rev. Messrs. Ormislon, Rice,
and Ingiis, Mr. Sherili' Thomas, and Messrs. E. .Jack-
son and .lames Watson.

Shortly alter seven o'clock, the Rev, Mr. Burnet
rose and said that, as it was now past the time at
which th(! mei!tirig was called, lie would move that Mr.
A. Milroy take tlie chair.

Mr. KeniUMly seconded the motion.

Mr. Slierilf Thomas said lu; supposed the object of
the motion was to test the feeling of the nieeliiiL', but
decorum dictated that, in the absence of the President,
the vice-president should take the chaii'. He would
therefore move, in umendment, tliat Edward JacHson,
Es(|., lie chairman.

I'ev, Dr. Ormistimsaid it wi-s unnecessary tosay ono
word in favor of 'lie propriety of tlie course proposed
by the slieriir. He seconded the amendment.

The sheriif then put tlie aniendnieiil to llie meet-
ing', and declared it carried aniidsl cheers anil hisses.

Mr. .lacUson came fiu'ward iind took the chair.

Mr. ('. I). Iteid I'lise, and was received with h)ud criert
of'Cliairl chair 1" He attempted t) speak, but so

180

APPENDIX.

.*««,.]

^^<

■VJ

Ri-cnt was the upronr that it was impossiblo to licar
liiiii. All that ri'aclicd us was, '• I protest ajjaiiist Mr.
Jacki^oii taking; the chair."

Ifov. Mr. Biiniot next took tlio Ptaiul, and was
greeted in a similar manner, lie said. " I have just I
one word of explanation." (Ujiroar, which continued
for siJMie time, )

Hcv. Dr. Ormiston tried to say Something, but was
not permitted to be heard, '

Hcv, Mr, liiiriiet continued, amidst interruptions,
■' As mover of the motion. 1 am entitled to one word
of e\])lanation. 'J'his meelinu; has been called by Mr.
JftcUson, and it did seem to liim proper that the one
callin.i; it. should take the chair.

Tlu^ chairnian said he had been placed In not a very
pleasant position, and he would need all their sy^ipa-
tliy and i\ rbearaiice. They had assembled to hold a
ine(;tiii:,' of t lit! ]?iblc Society, and theyouirht to re-
spect the princijiles of the Uible. lUliire proceeding
to ll'.e business of lh(! evening, he would retpiest Kev,
])r. Orniiston to implore tlic divine blessing,
lt<'v, J)r. t)rmiston ottered up i)rayer,
'I'he chairman said he would say a few words on the
oc(-as!on of their being called together. It had been
the custom for the last twenty-live years to arrange
the liusiness of the annual meeting in committee.
This year tln'y had failed to do so, iii consctpienee of
a (liU'ereiice regarding the ajipointuK lit of certain olll-
ecj's. Tlie minority of the committee determined on
can yiiiL;' tlu; mattrr to the annual nieetiiig, and to
that course he attributed all tlu; subsequent inharmo-
liWius |)ioceediiigs. Ho was [lersiiaded that Exeter
Hall would not tiilerate an amendment at an annual
nK^etiiiu', for there all the business was arranged in
<;ominitiee. However, at their annual meeting, after
the list of oflicers had been ])roposed and an aineiid-
jnent otVered. it was thought by soiiu! that they ciuikl
not arrive at a .just conclusion,"it being a mixed meet-
ing, and a resolution was therefori' jiassed avi.journing
the. election of (itticers to a meeting of the meiiibers of
the society, to be calli'd by circular a forluiglit after-
ward. The circular was issued, but on ai'count of ap-
pearances, lo which he would not i.;>w alliule, it was
thoxglit iiiopcr to postpone it indefinitely. The pre-
sint iiieetiiig was basi'd on that |)o-itponeinent. and
had all the powers of the aiiiiuat meeting. They
could j)ro]ios(; amendments to thecoiistiiutioii, (and he
hrlirvrd some gentlemen inteii'led doing so.) elect of-
llcer^, or dissolve the society if they pleased. He
would now call on the Kev. Mr. Inglis to address the
ineeiin '

I{e\ , R[r. Cheetham started to his feet, holding a pa-
per in his hand, and Uev, Mr. Inglis also rose.

'I'heii cdiinneiieed a fiii'ious uproar, wliicli contiiuied
wiilimit cessation tintil the bi'eaking up of tlu; mert-
illg. l'''ios of '■ Clieelham, Clieelliam I' •'Inglis, In-
is !" alternated, and neither sj)eaker was allowed a
iaring.

Mr. t lieethaiu was (he tirst to make the attempt,
bill was met by so great u noise ti;at it was useless to
p.r.-^ist.

Mr. Inglis— Mr. Chairman and fri(Mids— (cheers and
liisses.)

Mr, Cheetham— I move that, as this meeting— (uj)-
roar.)

The chairman rose and said that he decided Mr,
<'hi'efliinn to be <uit of order.

Mr, (lieeiham ML'ain trie(l to speak, but with a simi-
lar r.'siilt as jjrcvlous attempts.

Mr. Inglis— Will this meeliiig allow iiie just one
momi-nl y (•• Xo, no," and continued ujiroar.)

Mr. Cheetham— Just one moment, ^l,aughte^ and
hisses.)

Till! cliairnian, having obtained a hearing, ri'ad a
letter frtdii .John Vouiig, Esi|.. rei|uestiijg that his
llrtiiK! be withdrawn from tin' list of vie (■-pre>i(lenls,
as lie was disinclined to couliiiue associated, even in
name, with a sodety. the iummlttee of which acted
in Hiuli a disgraceful manner,

Mr, Inglis and Mr, Cheetham again attempted to
addi'ess the meeting, but all attempts were in vain,
lot the hooting and yelling was at once commeiiced
when eitlii'r ofthem oji: ned his mouth.

Ml . .lame- Meliilyre rose In the body of the hall, and
Inquired of the chairniaii who had the riuht to the
floor.
TIfe Chairman Mr. Tngli.'J.

IMr. ( heetliam I liu've the riL'lit; and I intend to
have iliat right. (Cheers and hisses.)

Mr, Cooiiihs said he had come to the iiieeiinir, as he
had no doiiM many oljiers had, to see fair |ilay. The
nrst one (Ml llie (lour luid ilie right lo speak! and as
Mr, f 'heel ha II I u as the ilrst, if (lie other luiil any -eiise
01 (.Kipriely. lie would sit down, (Cheers.)

Mr, Cheetham— Allow me just one moment. (Cries
of •• Shut up 1" •• (;o on !" etc.)

At this s'aLce of the iiroceediiigs, Mr. Hugh IMcMa-
hoii, amidst loud cheering, went upon the platform,

'id took a si'at behind the chairman, but higher u]),

Mr, Sergeant-Major Hrown, seconded by W, I'owis,

-q.. niovt'd that the meeting adjourn nine die
I'lie cliairnian said it was of no use for any one to
oeenjiy ilii" chair when no respect, was paid to it. As
he despaired of restoring order, he would declare the
meeting dissolved, ^Loiid cheers,)

We may state that the motion Mr, Cheetham was
desirous of moving read as follows : " That, as tlii.J
nieeting is wliolly illegal, we adjourn."

Notwithstanding the declaration of the dissolution
of the meeting, tlie crowd still lingererl in the hall, as
if expecting something else to occur, and their exi)ec-
tations were not long luigratitied, A swaying to and
fro of a knot of persons in the centre of "the jiall at-
tracted our attention, and on proceeding thither, we
found Hugh McMahon and a Mr. King struggling for
the possession of a walking-stick. The ui 'gin of the
disturbance, as near as we could ascertain, was as
follows: Mc>!ah(ni wtiit up to Mr, .lames Walker,
who had the books of the society under his arm. and
took hold ofthem, Mr, King went in between them,
and pushed away Mc.Malion, Mr, Walker making his
escape in the mean time. AIc.Mahon seized hold of
King's stick, one or two others joined in, and soon
there was (iiiite a disturbance, but it would doubtles.s
soon hare been quelled had it not been for the intro-
duction of another element. Some live or six Irish-
men (and Hoinaii Catholics, we believe) armed with
shillelahs, dashed into the crowd with wild wlioops
and yells, anil laid about with their slicks in the most
promiscuous manner, the leader crying out, "(Jlear
the way lu'fore you, boys I" The seats were scat-
tered in all directions, and a scene of the wildest con-
fusion ensued. After a time the gang of rowdies
went out of the hall, smashing at tiie si'ats with their
bludgeons, and yelling like savages. The excitenieu^
continued for some time after tlieir disapjiearance ;
and it was not uiiMl the superintendent prepared to
turn out the gas that the crowd was persuaded to
leave the hall.

A LATEK PIOITS SCKX?;,

" At a Methodisfcliapel in Yorkshire, England, on a
recent Sunday, (.\pril, IHO'.t.) there was a regular b tile
between the trustees and Sunday-school teachers, who
had been ordered out of the building by the trustees.
One of the teachers had ji large piece'bitteii olf his
thumb, and another perscn was seriously injured by
a biitlet being thrown at his head from the pulpit.
Bibles and hymn-bouks were freely used in (he light."
—Exlntdjivm Brooklyn Daibj Paper, May ;j(^ l»ij'i.

NOTE C.

It is well known that the clerical defenders of sla-
very in tlie Southern States of the American Kepublic
invariably sought *o strengthen their position liy an
appeal to Holy Scripture, as fully authorizing the ce-
tabllsliinent and propriety of ■i/arn-i/. Independent,
however, of the sanction deduced from the Bible, it
also seems that iliey could see "(iod's providential
care" manifested on behalf of the inhuman system.
The pious Bishop Elliott, of Savannah, Georgia, in a
thanks,'j;iving sermon, thus alluded to slavery, lie said :

'• It is very curious and very striking in this connec-
tion to trace out the history of slavery in this country,
and to observe (iod's providential care over it ever
since its introiluction, iVfrlciui slavery had its origin
in tbiH I iiiinlry in iiii ac't of mercy, to Si>ve the Indian
fVo;ii 11 t lil which was destroyin-' him: but while the
Indian has perished, the^puli-lilute w ho was brouL'hl
to die in his place has lived, inospeted, and mulliplied
Behold the pro\ idi'iitial interposilion I Then, when
tlie slave-trade was destroyed, tlie inability any longer
to obtain slaves through imporlaiion I'oired upon mas-
ters in these Slates a greater attention to the conifoit:.
and morals of tin ir slaves. The family relation wim
fostered, the marriage tie grew in impurlance, and Iho
S(IO,Oi;0 slaves who inhabited these States at lheclo>iuii
of our ports i.n 1S()8 ha\«'. in the short space of tlfty
years, grown into four millions."

How widel, (lill'ereul have hern the conclusions
drawn by NorUi> rn and other ClirisUan teachers friiiii
the same iuspinrd word resiM>cling sliwery; and how
plaiulv they crui now trace the linger of Proxiilenci' in
its total abol"ion ! \ei, strange to say. tlie American
Ueligioes Tract Society, during the existence of sluveij'
in the Sou Ji. never peniiitled the imUllcatiiHi ut aun

nont. (Cri(!R

Iiij,'h McMa-
lic pliitrnrin,
liii'lior 111),
ly W. I'owirt,
le die.

i)r any ono to
lUl to it. An
,1 doclai'o thu

lioctliain was
Tlmt, as thi.j

dissolution
u tlio Imll, as

1 their oxpec-
liiyiii^' to and
r"tlic)iall at-
il tliitluT, we
stnitrnlin;,' for

Ul "^iU Ot' till!

L-taiii, was as
lines WaliiiT,
r his arm. and
ctwccn them,
■r niakiii"; ills
eized hoKl of
1 ill, and soon
luld doulilless
for the iiitro-
e or six Irish-
i) armed with

wild whoops
ks ill the most
z, out, " c;icar
ids were scut-
e wildest con-
ii; of rowdies
i^ats witli tiieir
"lieextitemout.
isappearanco ;
it iirepared to

persuaded to

, Einjland.ona

APPENDIX.

181

iilar 1) tlUi
leliers, who
the trustees,
hit leu olf his
ly injured by
1 thu i)ulpit.
in lheiii,'ht."
ij ?,d, laii'i.

fenders of sla-
•iean Kepuhlic
insition by i\n
•iziiiK the C6-
Independent,
tlu) Bible, it
lirovidential
luiiKin system,
ticoriiia, in a
v-ery. lie said :
ill this I'oiiucc-
this country,
over it ever
• had its origin
ve I lie Indian
Imt while the
o was brouL'hl
lid luiiltiplieil
'Iheii, wlieii
ity any Ioh.u'it
I'cd iipiin ina-i-
o th(.' eoml'oit,'
y relation wan
taiiee, Ml. I thu
it theehi^iUH
pace of lU'Ly

u' coni-tusions
tpachers In mi
cry ; and lunv
Pro\iilenee in
the Annrieaii
I'Ueeof sluvcri'
IliuliiMi ot anj

thins roflecfing upon that vile oppression ; and, in its
republications, generally expuiitced all that had been
written a,s;ainst slavery by others 1

Slavery has caused the greatest disunion amon;;
Christian ministers as well as among Christian people.
Since the close of the American rebellion, a proposition
for reun-ion among Northern and Southern Methodists
was promptly rejected, and the or;:an of the latter
body, the h'tiuca/ia', MrlhnilUI, the leadin;; Southern
journal of that denomination, published at Uiclinioud,
made the following remarks on the >ub.iect:

"A formal reunion with Xorthern Me'hodism is to
be deprecated iis the most intolerable calamity that
could befall our Southern Zion. To consent to it on
the terms suggested, we must ab.iure our iirinciples,
Baerilice our position of iiserulncs-i, consii^n the me-
mory of our brethren and fathers to inlaiiiy. pronounce
the sentence «f self-condeinuation upon our \\liole
communion, and accept a feature in the moral discipline
of £ (lomiuaiit Church which dooms to death and dam-
nation all who have been connected with what it deno-
minates ' tlie great evil '— • the detested sin of slavery.' "

How '• kindly allectionate " are sucii exhibitions
among the divinely eulighteued 1

NOTE D.

The following extract from tlmt creatly admired
work, /l<i.r/ir\< .Vt/z/iAs' /,\yf. (unabridged,) will give a
fair idea of the revolting orthodox opinion concerning
the vengeance of God :

"Yoiir torments shall bo universal. The soul and
the body shall each have its torments. The guilt of
tlielr s'ns will be to damned souls like tinder to gun-
powdr.-— to make the llames of hell take hold of them
with f try. The eyes shall be tortured with sights of
liorro; and hosts of devils and damned souls. The
ear shdl be tortured with the bowlings and curses of
their companions in torment. Their smell shall be
tortured with the fumes of brimstone, iiud the litpiid
mass of eternal lire shall prey on every part. No drop
of water shall be allowed to cool tlieir tongues ; no
moineiit's respite permitted to relieve their agonies."

What a hideous picture ! And y(^t poor Baxter be-
lieved his (iod to be merciful and gracious — '' Whose
mercy endureth forever !"

A terrilie "Sight of Hell," from a Catholic point of
view, will further illustrate the fearful teachings of
religion :

" IIEI.I., nEriCTED FOR THE YOUNO,

. " At present, (says the Pull .Uull (iazeltfi.) when there
is so much discussion abon* what all children should
be taught, it is iiseiui to know what some children are
taught. We hav(! before us the tenth of a series of
books for children and young persons,' composed
Dy the Rev. J. i'urniss, C.S.S.U., and published by
authorit.y, for it is stamped ^pirinU^n siiix riorum.'
Its title is Till' Sir/ht <>/ ihU. and its contents an; quite
lis startling as ,lie title. Tlu; ehiltlren who are in-
structed out of this work will learn, "it seems likely
that hell is in the middle of the earth:' and the Rev.
J. Furniss adds : • Wo know how far it is to the middle.
of the earth. It is just four thousand miles. So If
hell is in the niiddle of tlu' earth, it is four tlioiisiind
miles to the horrible prison of hell.' Down in tliis
place is a terrilie noise. The children are asked to
' listen to the tremendous, tlm bin'rible uproar of mil-
lions and iiiillloiis and millions of toriiieiited creatures,
mad with the fury of hell. t)li 1 the screams of fear,
the groanings of horror, the yells of rage, the cries of
pain, tlie shouts of agony, the shrieks of despair from
millions on millions! 'i'liere you hear them roaring
like lions, liissinu; like seriieuts, houjiiitr like dogs,
and wailing like draiioiis. 'J'liere you liciir the gnash-
ing of teeth ami the fearful blas|)lieiiiies of the devils.
Above all, you hear the roarinu' of the tlmnders of
<!od"s anger, which sh.ikes hell to its foundations.
But there is another sound. There is in hell a sound
like that of many waters. It is a< if ail the ri\ers and
oceans of the world were pouring thenisi Ives with a
great splash down on the floor of hell Is it. then,
really the sinind of wati ri« ' It \» Ayi- the rivers and
oceauji of the earth pouring llieins"Ivi s Into hell ' No.
What is it, then? It is the sound of oceiins of tears
running down Iroin countless milli'iiis of eyes. 'I'hey
«ry forever and (!ver. They 'ry bec;iiise the suliilnir-
ous srnoke toniicnts their e.,e>. They cry because
they are in darkness. They cry beeausc they have
lost the beautiful heaven. Tlii'y cry becau-e the sharp
lire burns theiu. Little child, it is .- tier to cry one
Uau" of repeutaucu now than to cry mitious of tears in

hell.' It Is hardly needful to follow the Rev. J. Fur-
niss through all his ghastly pictures. The foregoing
passage is a fair specimen of his style, and the sub-
stance of his remarks is not so attractive as to induce
us to (luote at great length. W'a can not, however,
withhold the following picture of what is to be wit-
nessed in the tliird dungeon— that is in the lowest
depths of hell : ' The roof is red-hot ; the walls arc red-
hot; the tloor is like a thick sheet of red hot iron.
See, on the middle of that red-hot iron floor stands a
girl. She looks about sixteen years old. She has nei-
ther shoes nor stockings on her feet. The door of
this room lias never been opened before since she first
set her loot on the red-hot floor. Now she sees that
the door is opening. She rushes forward. She has
cone down on her knees on the red-hot floor. Li-ten !
she speaks. She says, " I have beiui standing with i:iy
bare feet on tills red-hot lloor for years. Day and
niglit my only standing-place has been this reil-hot
floor. Sleep never came on me for a moment that I
might forget this liorribh' burning tloor." " Loak," she
says, •• at my burnt and bleeding feet. Let me go olf
this burning floor for one moiu- nt, only for a sin.gle,
sliort moineiit. Oh! that in tliis endless eterniiy of
years I might forg(!t the pain only for one sinirle mo-
ment." Tile devil answers her question: "I)o you
ask," he s.ays, ''for a moment, for one moment, to for-
get your pain ? No, not for one single moment dining
the never ending eternity of years shall you ever leave
this red hot lloor." "Is it so?" the girl says, with a
sigh that seems to break her heart ; " tiieii, at least, let
somebody go to my little brothers and sisters, who arc
alive, and tell them not to do the bad thing.-; wliich I did,
so that they will never have to come and stand on the
red-hot floor." The devil answers hera.gain, "Your
little brothers and sisters have the priests to tell them
these things. If they will not listen to the priests,
neither would they listen even if somebody should go
to them from the dead." ' The concluding sentence
proves that the 'mocking liend' can twist Scripture to
his own ends. It is clear, also, that the Ri;v. ,1. Fur-
niss has no scruple in accepting the devil's advocac.v
of 'tlie priests.' It is permitted to file upholders of
any creed to spread it abroad without opposition : but
those who use such questionable methods as the Rev.
J. Furniss deserve censure evCn wliile they enjoy tole-
ration. Lest it be supposed that we have selected an
obsolete work for comment, we may add that the coj)y
before us was published in 181)4. On tlie cover its
autlior is styled 'Father' Furniss. Were he really a
father, he would never have penned such a work, nor
would he have enjoined on otliors the duty of teaching
its doctrines to children."

Religious tract societies circulate siniilar pious
blasphemies for the ediflcatiou of women and children,
and large sums are regularly expended in order to ter-
rify the "'unconverted" and bring them to '"belief"
by stereotyphig such savage and iiihumau threats.

NOTE E.

A PROOF of the tender mercies of the state form of
Christianity was given in the London Xiiliuntd AV-
rhnth-r of .April, ls64, about four weeks ])revious to
the great Bible Meeting lield in Exeter Hall:

"'It is. we are assured, unquestionably true that on
Thursilay, the lOtli instant, the church-w u'dens of
lirosele.v (near Birmingham) levied a distraiui on t!ie
goods (if .James Clark, a poor laboring man, for the
non-pavinent of the sum of one sliillim; and llireepencu
halfpenny, which the said .l:imes Clark was calh'd
upon to contribute toward certain expensi's which are
annually incurred by the congregation tliil worships
in Broscley p:irisli church : the articles sei/ed in satis-
faction of this claim consisted ofa clock, an oak chest,
an o;dc cupboard, two tables, seven chairs, a tea-tray,
a looking-L'lass, a smoothing-iron, :nul a -traw mat-
tra-s: ainl that Clark has a family of six children,
who. toffcther with his wit'-, bed-ridden mother, aged
eiiihty-three, and his idioli.- relative, aired forty-three,
constitute the household which has Ik- n deprivinl, at
an inclement season, of so many hum'A, but to them
valuable, necessaries in ordc r that t!i« church of th"
state may get the iinm.tlceiit amount of lllteen ^ienc,e
halfpenny. Who can read sucli an account of Christian
charity us this without being filled with the greatest
Indiu'i.iilion and disgu-t at the system which is tlia
cause of such di.-icraceful and cruel proceediiiss V"

The same paper, in its weekly issue in May, IS(K,
thus alludes to a scene at a collection for church-rates
in Kdiiibur.ih :

'CuuHCU IUte.— There t.-^ a terrible scene iu

188

APPENDIX.

a.' • ■

Edinburgh on Tuesday -vrcpk, in conscqnrnpc of a sale
by auction of goods seized for niinister's money. About
four thousand people assenibk'd round the place of
sale, and the goods seized were taken possession of,
smashed, and burned in St. Andrew's street. Surely
it is time the authorities of Edinburgh saw the injustice
of such a rate. Tliis is not the iirst "scene' that has
been produced in Edinburgh through the enforcement
of what is justly considered an unjust ta.\; and unless
the rate is abolished, we fear it will not be the last."

Just about the very time of the above disturbance,
reverend and princely church majinates were in Exeter
llall gloi'ying in the humanity of Christian civilization ;
and, while betti^ing for the benighted heutlien in Borneo,
were plundering their own Christian poor i". happy
Britain 1

NOTE F.

The more .nncient cosmon;onynf tlie.Iows has every
evidence of decided E;_'yptian oriirin. Of the cniious
r( prc-^eiilations in one of the princii)al tombs at
Tliebes, Miss Maitineau says:

" It isimijossilile to look upon these representations
of the serjient. of the tree of life, of \\hieh tlidsi- wlio
ate wi're inmle as j^'ods, of the niDvin;,' spirit of the
C'reatiir ami of the universally prevalent ideas (if the
ori;j:inal sjjn-ad nf watel', the se])aration of the land
from tlie water, the sijriiiijlng of vegetation, and llie
sudden appearance of animals on the new snilace. and
the separation of the upper air into regions of aliode,
without seeing whenei; was derived i]w. tirst of tlie
two accounts of the creation given in the book of Ge-
nesis." .

And aL'ain: "In their theory of the formation of the
world, they (the Eiryptians) believed that when the
formless void of eternal matter began to jKirt oil' into
realms— the igneous elements asct'ndiiig and berom-,
ing a firmament of liiTy bodies, the heavier portions
sinldngand beconung compacted into earth and sea —
the earth gave out animals, beasts, and reptiles ; an
idea evidently derived from their annual spectacle of
the coming Ibrlh of myriads of living creatures from
the soil of their valleyOn the snbsiiU'uce of tlie Hood.
SVhen we reiucmber that to them the Xile was the
sea, and so called by them, and that they had before
them the spectacle, which is seen nowhei-e else, of
the springing of the green herb after the separation of
the waters from the land, we shall see how diti'erent
t!«'ir view of the creation must be from any which we
could naturally form."

NOTE O.

TERRIBI.E ABUSES IN COUNTUY WORKUOUSES.

From London Vhiistian Worlif.

The Lnnrrf has done good siTvice in directing pub-
lic attention to the horror.-i of Farnhani workhou-^e,
and theri'by leading lis (rj ask wheilicr the same scan-
dalous negieet may not be ])ossihle elsewhere. \\'ith-
in sight of Aldersiiot. not far from a bishop's jialaee,
and iiiuler the ey<'s of guardians nml inspi'ctors, oHi-
tial and amateur, such aboniinabli • nielty has been
periietrated that it can only be characterized as •• a re-
proarli to England, a scandal and a curse to a coiiiilry
V'liich Calls itself civilized anil ( j.risllan." For four-
teen years cruelties nhnost incredilde have been prac-
ticed. altlKniLdi the visitors' liook be;irs no evidence
of a siuL'le complaint ha\ ing heeu made. On the con-
trary, the slaleineni iierpeliially recurs. "ThiMvards
MIC (lean and every tiling very Valisfactory." I'lider
the guidance of the /,f/;/(v/',s' commissioners we know
what liampsliiit! visitors ineim by ••clean " and every
thintr being " very satisfactory.'' The worklnnise pre-
luiss are badly consirmled. the wards glooniy Jtnrl
coiiit'orlless. and dirty heyoiid description. The (Vc-
cominodalion ]Md\ ided for old and young, for tramps,
male and female, and espeilally for the Inlirm. is in-
toleialile. 'I lie casuals ari' loi kid n|i ;i|| night in noi-
Bonie "(agis" willioiil loiiil A shoi'l lime sinci'. a
))i>or wdnniii. on the verge of hei' conllnemeiit. was im-
JMisiined in tiiis manner, and when ilieporii'i iinlixk-
ed iIk cage next mornhiL'. she was liMiiid to have been
already foiii' lioiirh in I lie iiains of chihbbirlh. The in-
inales of the iniirmary are also loi ked in all niirlit. and
llii cnieliy (d tills can'only he ri.!,'lillv Imagined when it
Is reinemliered that cmmv conM'Uli (ice is out of doors.
I'cisons UHirtally si( k are hi'l day and ni'lii williout
liny nursing aileiidaiice e.\(e|)i what tin > miglil or
might not mc(c(d in siininioning hy rinudnu' u bell
for a lairet', >vhi» might bu in any part of u laigu and

straggling building. The nursing staff for ft-oni sl.Nly
to ninety iiatients consists of one [laid nurse and one
male pauper assistant- an invalid, wlio has bcv-n lap-
ped liv(' limes for dropsy. I'niil Dr. I'owell, tli(^ ine-
dical ollicer, who has waged a good and jiersistent
fl«ht against the evils of lli(> place, insisted that towels
.should be allowed, the inmates, after washing or bath-
ing, dried themselves on the sheets of their beds.
The m.ssterof the workhouse, who has since been dis-
missed for gross immonility, several times threatened
the doctor with personal violence because he persish^d
in jjioposiiig reform. When the doctor ordered it
' mutton ' dinner, thick lumps of toiiirh beef and ba-
con were served out to poor (dd men and women with-
out a tooth in their heads. The children did not fare
any better. The ' nursery ' is a gloomy, damp, brick-
floored room, with absolutely no fiirniliire e.\cept one
low wooden beiielij on w bich'seven or ei^dit little chil-
dren were sittimr, in front of the lire. They had no
toys, no amusement, and no education " Such are »
few of the horrors which the Laiiat has laid baie. A
more deploratde slate of things can hardly be ima-
gined. 'I'he iiuestion is. Are other country work-
houses in a similar plight '/ It is evident we can no
longer rely on the reports of i)ooi-la\v inspectors.
Even independent visitors aii|iear to have been allliet-
ed with blindness in jiart. Ilaving begun the work,
we trust the Lancet will pursue it with uiillinching
fidelity.

the I.0\1)0.\ I'OOIi.

Distress al vays reigns in I.ondou, the very rich .''ml
the very poor being close neighbors in tin; fjreat
metropolis. 'I he London Tliiits notices that at cer-
tain doors of M)me of llie districts of the city cne.vdB
of men may b > seen joslliiii;. striving, almiist iight-
ing each otiiei' for adinission ; and lln; admission,
when once secured, is not to see a favoriti; actor or
hear a popular preacher, or to witness a i)rize-tiglit or
rat-lniil. hut to gain the jwivilege of breaking hard
stones in a cidd. muddy yard attached to tlu; jiarisli
workhouse, for the re\va"rd of tliicepenci! and a loaf
of tiread. '•These men," it adds, ••are not clad in the
usual stone yard apparel : they wear good coats — rags
are scarcely to be seen. Tin y are men who not very
long ago were earning Iroiu iffi to if Ki weekly, to whom
the Ncry meiitiini of the wdilihoiise would ha\ e been
coiitaminalion ; and heretliey struggle and wrestle for
its most mea!j;re advaiili.ges." 'J'lie journal referred to
then makes some couiparisons of Ilie relief afhu'iled
to the poor. Jliiiing llie winters of li-ii;.") (i, the aver-
age uaiiy number of laborers in the J'oplar stone yard,
attached to one of the J^ondon {loorhoiises, was ^00 ;
hut in tin; week ending .laiiuary !)tli, IHtiT, the daily
average was over 11)00. In the hist week of IStiti, that
piorhoiise gave oiit-door parochial relief lo 4^41) per-
sons, as compared with I'.iTl in the la-t week of l(St).5.
This establishment is now giving relief to its iilmost
capacity, and this fact, t.igethcr with the annoiiiice-
ment that marly ^dl the funds have been drawn out of
the; London savings banks— the working-classes hav-
ing biH'ii Irom four to si.\ months without regular wa-
•fcs — shows that at jireseiit there is greater distress in
J.ondon than has been known for a long time.~.4//i'-
r'uun I'ajKr.

NOTE If.

''iinisrrAMTY is iiuperions iii its assumptions; it
claims to be all that is triitl:l'iii. iiotile. and miigiiani-
inous ; it boasts of its humanity and of its moral and
civili/iiig influence; but what a biiilesijiie npon its
pieleiisions is its actual history — sectarian i iiiiiity,
grosM iii(cdei;iiii e. iiiid bloody iiiid inhir/iiaii p( r-eeu-
tioii. (an Chrisiianily. w iili i:s arnjgance and cupid-
ity, show a purei record than ihat exhibited by aiici(;nt
pagliniMii ? C'hri-tian naliims are preenifnenl for
fin ir love of war. plunder, and (levast:iiion ; and so
gre.'/( I ■ lheirniiitii;(l distrust that, even during the un-
certain periods win n there is no actual war, tlie iiniicd
/*•(/('(' of Kiirope alone costs. iis has lieen stated, al'Oiit
.f.'iilD.OIHUKH) sierliiiL' (^l..''>()l).(>nn,ni»n annually 1 Can
Cliristian piMiple claim to la" nii'ie iipriizht. more hon-
orable, an I mon ''xemplary than liiiddbists, Mohamme-
dans, or l'ars<-'-^.' In niimeidiis instances Iherrhics
of ( himi or .liqiaii might liritii;- tli ' Idiish of shame to
entire Christendom. What among the deceptivt!
tiansactioiis of llilile worshipers- who boast of n
purer theology— is still most e(mimon •? I''raiids, in
easll(! and in court, in slate artairsand in chiirdi mat-
ters ; frauds in nalionid inlrigue. in diplomacv, and in
naval and iiiilitarv itlliiil-- i fruinls in seiialecliainbers
mill III lnw iribtiniilH, llii'locllotisaiid ina|i|ioliitiiuiiilH;

for fi'om sixty

iiiirsi' and oiio

liHH bt'i'ii iiii)-

)\Vl'll, till' IIU.'-

iiiil iicrcistiMit
(•(1 tliiit tiiwcln
^liin<>: or l)alli-
>r Ihcii' beds,
•'iiicc^bi'oii (lis-
ics llii'i'iifciiecl
<i'li(' i)i'rsistiHl
tor oi'dcicil H
, bci'l' and ha-
l wonu'ii wltli-
u did not Ihri;
, (lanip, lirick-
M'o uxccpt ono
4i:ht littU^ chil-
'I'licy had no
" Such arc; ii
< laid Iiaio. A
ardly lio iina-
■oiiniry work-
Mit wo can no
,\v in<i((ctor:J.
vc bci 11 alllii't-
;un the work,
th laillincliiu''

• very rich .i.iirt

in the f;rcat

cs thai at ccr-

Ih! city crowds

, almost l:,i;hl-

lic admission,

•orilc actor or

1 i)ri/i'-ti!4!it or

break ini,' hard

to the ))arish

nco and a loal'

not clad in tin;

od coats — ra;;K

1 w lio not very

■ekly, !<• whom

[mid luue been

d wrestle for

d referred to

let' allbrded

j <). the aver-

r sioiie-yard.

^es, was )IW) ;

ISliT, the daily

of ISOti, that

to 4.)M) per-

week of IStiS.

to ils inmost.

le annoiiijce-

Irann out of

-ciassc's hav-

t re;.'iilar wii-

er dislrcsH iii

lime. — Aiiif:-

eniplioiis : it
111(1 niii;.'iiani-
ils mural and

i|l'c iipnii it8
11 iaii I iiiiiity.
man pi r-ecu-
ice and ciipid-
ted by ancient
■('('■iiifiieiit for
alioii ; and so

111 in)r the un-
,'nr. the aiiiiiul

stilted, al'Oiit
iiiully ! Can
hi. more bon-
is, Mohamme-

I's the erhica

I of Hlianic to
he (leceptiv(!

beasi of a
l''raiids, in

II clini'( h mat '
iiiiacy. and in
iale-eliiinib('rH
'P"l(tll»m)f»;

ii 1 Tlf ■ ■

APPENDIX.

183

frauds by word and by oath, in buviuf; ni.d sellinv:,
in ;,'ivin:,' and reeeivinj,'; frauds by w'-ei^ht, and frauds
by measure, and frauds by udulteratioii, and increasint;
frauds ill eve y inia;;iiiablo shape and form that may
escape the peially of crime!

JJut it may be said that a majorijty of such ])orHonH
are not triu^ Clirislians. Widl, if they are not, lei us
Ro anion;,' llu^ re\ereiid clerLry ; they, if any, are sui(!lv
of the ri;,dit stamp; nearly all of t'liein lia\(' sworn or
solemnly declared that they have been called— moved
by the '• Ihdy (Jhost"— to jireach Hie (Jospel. Th(!n
whatofthe priests? Alas: willi all ilieir spiritual en-
dow iiieiibs. lliey have proved U> be but frail and falli-
ble men ; and thoiii^h there are many (■xcellent persons
umoiij; them, y('t, as a class, in proportion to their
numbers, it may be .siid that they excel ali others in
sensuality; ai,,'. so nolorioiis have they become in
this respect lliat one can scarcely read 'a newsiiaper
that does not beara record of their vileiiess. 'I'oavoid
scandal, much is connived at. and many of the clerical
culprits permith'd to escape where oiliers would be
li( Id accoiiulal)le; yet so heinous have lieeii some of
their crimes tliat llie law has had to take its course,
and felon priests are now iiayiii;;- the penalty in iirisons
and iKMiileiiliaries. and evd'ii tin; scallold" itself has
often had to close a career of cleri"al infamy. The
latest case of Ihe.kiiid at present remembered is that
of the Itev. Mr. Hardin, a .Melliodist minister, who,
for thi^ sak(^ of a paramour, mur.lered his wife in New-
Jersey a few years since and was lianired for the crime.*

indeed, of late so fre(pienl anil scandalous ha.e
been pi'ieslly amours thai IIk; secular press in many
places has been forced to notice Ihe fact and to issue
a warniii!.; to ()ver-i)i(jiis and coi.Hdiiit: females ; and in
coiise(pieiie(- of the caution thus j^iveii a^rainst the
wiles (d' the ordained servants of tlu' i.ord, the
Pitljiit, for .N'ovember, hsii7, a reli-^ious niaija/ine,
makes the following- extraordinary comineutd in pallia-
tion of clerical I'.iUibility :

A CUniOUS AIl(ii:JIKNT FOR A. nKLICilOrs SI.\OAZINE.

" We infer froiri what, we hear in private conversa-
tion, and w IkiI we I'ead in Ihe ))ubli(' journals, that llie
])iiblic lliiiik it very marvidoiis Ihat so many of the
cleriry are wrecked upon tlu! rock of seiisiiality. The
astonishment is not aslonisliiiii,'. i'eople who do not
make a habit of Ihinkint,' will hardly be thou,i,ditful
enoiiudi lo know tlu^ fact in reference to tills matter.
The fact is, I here is no profession, clas^, or avocation
fo exposed to or templed by Ihe devil id' sensuality aB
the minisiry. Tlie very sanctity of Ilieir ollice is an
occasion of their stumliliiiL'. 'J'lie ollice is confounded
with its occupant. 'J'he sanclity id' the former is
mad(! tlu^ posses-idii o| tin,' latter. Now, the ollice is
an invnlneralile myth ; ils nceiipant is a man of like
passions with other men. No t( in]ilalio: issullicient
fo overcoiiK! tlu! other olVice, while so stout-faithod
nn occupai;! of it a.s Peter the aposih- may fall
L'rievoiisly at the tlrst a|iproach of the adveisary.
Inthinkiiii.' women may seem to be only temptin;,'
tile ollice. wlieii Iliey are lUiiv ittiiiLTly layiiiir snares for
the occupant, liytiieir persisteni e\iiil)itioii of con-
fidence in llie ollice. lliey areconlidiiiu' jiersiste^tly in
ils occiijiant. And so it comes to pass in this way
that Ihe minister, with all his llesli and blood about
hi/ij. has the door id' lem|italion thrown open to hiin
and then clicked behind him. iJliiid coiitidenco on
the one side, and uiiiriiarded socialiiiity on the oi her.
Ic.'id to e(|iiivocal circiniistaiices as lo lioih. No man
ill the woild has so few coiidllions imposed ii))on
him at tlu^ liiresliold of socii'ly .is the ciery.vman.
His |)assport to sociely is aliiiost a fiiftc minrlin.
\Vonien of both stales and all a^'cs are liis com-
jMiiiions, socially and ]iroles>ioiially. 'I'he rules of
isocial intercommunion between the sexes are, in thiti
case, virtually sus|)eii(led. WIkiI would he indiscre-
tion with oilier men, is a matter of course' with him.
lie shares or is aliernately adiiiilted to the privacy (d'
the sick-room w ilb the pl'iysician.

•"Whenever spiritual advice is called for. tlun'o ho
rei^jns alone aiul unuioli'i.ied. .\nd he is a sedi'iitary
man, of nervous, saii^'iiine tempeiameiit, and. like all
men of lliis sort and life, Irels ihe law of hin Mesh
warrim; airainst the law of his ndi^'ion. None have
Hiich p;i<sioiis as those of sedentary lile. in (iropor-
tioii lo the idleness of the muscles" is the activity of
the passion-. 'I'hedrvil lem|ils Ihe industrious ; idle
men tempt the devil. The eleri;y sjioiild Lfive more
funest heed to • iiiiiscr.'ar Christ iaiiily." i'ut, not (Uily
is Ilieir life alUieted with deficiency in bodily exercise.

pf!

♦ IJelweeii the
unl« wu-ro huiu

years IStiOaiid ISIW. ,/(>'/?■ I'rotestant
foi' murder hi Ihu L'liited iStatcH. .

I but it is ndditinnallyapciir.ond with the temptations
I that take advanta''(' of this jihysical feeh'-nesH. Oon-
Hiderinur, then, tliis Hand^y-haired composition, tliiw
I nervous conibuHtlbllity, thl.s superabundance of sexual
I heat from a deficiency ill idiysicHl exertion, and tlii.s
! exlraordiiiaryexposuretotlie wiles of I he wicked, and
I the insinuativo intluence.s of unsuHidcion, tlu! marvel,
■ nay, the miracle is not that ho many, but so few of the
' cler;,'y fall into the sins of sensuality. The wonder
is, not that so many yield, but that so many stand
: linn ! !

■■ \\ liile we rcKard a sudden trip into i-ensual sin aH
I comparatively tlu! most excusable of the ol)li(iuilies
I of which the clerf,'y can be (,'uilt.y, wo ce"tainly a(lvis(;
I all those who are thus i,'iiilty, or feel thomselvea in
I danirer of beiiij:. to (juit the pulpit at once and for-
: ever. And hi noiu! go to Ihe sacred ollic(! who are
not Strom; in tlie llesli as in the Lord, and let the
jihysically feeble who are in it leav(! II, lest a worse
1 fate comes upon them. Divine yracu will not make
j amends fur physical iiillrniilies.

I _ "And so far from these clerical sins of sensuality be-
\\\\t the iii(!Xi)licablelai)ses tliey are ri'preseiited to bo
by tli(! iiiiblic press and lulvate (irtindys, they are not
(inly the least surprlsiiiL', ^(((I the moKt (xriimble, dm
tin' cln-fj!) can cof/imit / Hut we do not excuse, we
(explain them. We are 'dvinj; their comparativo and
not their actual criminality.

j "As for seduction, that is a crime than which none
is more heinous, infernal, and damnalile. let wdio
will commit it. The man who is coavicied, (leserv('n
(-'Very twintre of tlu! torture to which he can he sub-
jected by llu^ retributive laws of the divine govern-
iiient. Nor is there any exiilanation to be (dfered for
that terrible species of the u'eiimjsensiuility, id' which
sevenil cler;;yineii in this country nceiil.hj liace lieen,
J'liuud (jiiUtfi. and which shall be nameless here. :-iieh
oll'euses are very peculiarly odious and aliliorreiit in
view (d' the fact that sensual f,aatiflcation is i)()s>ible
without adding more tliau one to the number of ^he
deliauclied.

"Let all those putrid brctlu'cn be cut off and put away,
and let there be a yiyorous endeavor to lift the stand-
ard of clerical purity in the above as well as in every
other respect; but let it also be reiiu^mbered that the
steadfastness of the cleri^'y is a matter of amazement,
when tlie considerations we liave named are taken
into the account."

Not only does the church in many cases try to
screen the foibles of its clergy, but witli geuuiue
crafiiuess it can connive at or mildly reprove the sins
of certain of its UK^nibers ill good standing— that is,
good iiayiiig members.

Neal Don-, during his recent visit to filiigland. gave
evidence' in c(n'roboratiou of this; in one of his lec-
tures \w. said :

"1 was to be received at a great tea mi^oting in
Kdinbiiruh. In the aft(Tnoon before, one of the magis-
trates took me in his carriage lor a ride around that
ancient town. As we rode up the famous Caiioiigain,
he stopped, ' 'i'liis.' said he 'is the house of d(dm
Knox, very much a-^ lie left it. It is now the i)roperty
of the church of the JJev. .Mr. -, one ot the lead-
ing rresbyterian churches in this city, 'i'he upper
st()ries ar(j oceuiiied as dwellings, and the grouiid-
lloiu'as a low and vile grog-shop, the rents going into
the church Ireasury." A little further on, he said,
I ' 'I'hero is a grog-shop, kejit by a .'-on id' an eminent
I Scotch doctor (if divinity of this city. The capital
i furnished by Ihe father, of whose church the son it; a
I prominent member.'

" i'lnrliir on he said, ' Look at thatshoi); it is one
! of the vilest in Edinburgh, and is kept by the heading
j elder (d' the leading l-'resliyterian church in the city.
j A litfli' while ago li(^ was convicled bid'ore tlu; police
court aii'l fined for harboring tliievesaiid iirostitiites;
I but his standing in the church has not. been coinpro-
I misedln the .<lii/hfest deuree. Shortly after, he present-
ed lo the church for llie jiulpit. a splendid Itlhle and
hymn l)0(di, wdiich are ii6.v used there.' Many other
similar [daces werr p(dnled out Ic) me, kept liy chiireh-
mciiibers in good standing, one of whom had taken
frein a jioor ragg(!d wo".iiw), in exchange for a pint of
u'iii, a pair of shoes stripped from the feet of one of
her cliildnui,"

Uth.'r evidence might bo added, but this from Neal
Dow ought to be suilicieiU for the i>reseiit. Were in-
lidels to coiiiiteiiance and profit by such infamy, wdiat
poisoned shafts the ]-.ri('sls w(Uild gladly liiirl against
tlii'in; priesis will vilify them any way : but, were it
not for the reproachesof inlloels and si)'iritualisls,th(!sa
abuses might be more generally tolerated by tbepiiuis;
and, were it not for the elforts of reasoning skeptics,
Dritain might not even at the present day be able tu .

184

APPENDIX.

t'*

p v-

Iv::-

^>o

..pi

boast of its toiiippinnrooix'ani/iifion. The iiiiidd has
broiiu'lit rct'oriu in tlu- Clirhiiaii cluii-ch ; fxliipalc
liim witli Ills mlvaucrd ideas, and iiitolciaiicu will bo
followed liy increased liypoerisv, and oillmdox nioials
may lieeoiih' ajraiti so di'LTeneiale lliiil <_ lirl.-liaii peo-
ple niMv be glad to ( opy tlic more honest and uimght
conducl ot'ijaijan nations.

The I!ev. I)l-. liuit. who visited I'A'yP' '" l''<'*- elates
that, thoui^di nearly all the Hi,'yiian hiialnien .Jid at-
tendants nloni,' the Nile wore w retihetlly poor, and
tliou;.'h they had ample op|iortniiity to jiille'. yet he
asserts that not an arliele of the sliu:litest valiie was
ever missed by hiniselfor by any of his (ompanions.

A writer. LcivinLT .:n aee<itint of a heathen peoi)le
pays: " Take the .lajianese as a wlude. hiiih and low,
rich and poor, ihey ;ire the best fed, be^t dad, best
loil;.'ed, lea>t over-wt'rked. and mo.-t ;:enialand happy
ix'ople on the fai e of the earth. I'ood is abundant
and cheap. innii,dnary wants rare, and thus li^nipta-
tions tv) crime are less than with us, tlioULjh the land
is no I'lopia.

"There js no such thinjr as pipialor to be seen in
Japan. In the houses i)f tlie \ery poorest, a i'iflli
aveiiiu' belle u.i,L:hl sit upon the matted lloor w iihout
soiliui;- her dres>. The strei'ls .ire admirably sewered ;
all olVal and irarba^^e are re!no\ ed for maiiuie.

'•There is no biLrotry. The people are wonderfully
opeirniinded. 'J'hcie is no hatred of t'hrisiianity as
tiiu'li ; only it, is feared us an engine to cause political
chanj,'es."

What Christian state canb(ia>lof so much worldly
liapj/iness '/

NOTE I.

account of the murder is "truly
one of the most revoltin;; ever brou;:iil to luiblic iio"-
tice. as the lidlowinu' e.xlrucl.s from American jiapers

will sullicienily si

A ItEVOI.TINti AND Ot'TUAfiKOUS CIUMK.— A CLEKOY-
MA.V Willi's HIS CHILD TO BKATII I

The Rochester T'/zin/;. of Thursday. Lrives the follow-
ing' liarliculars of one of the mostrevollinl; and out-
raireoiis crimes we ever read. It almost slatrirers belii'f.
That a liilher-a clergyman— should deliberately whii)
his Hull' son to deaili for refusing: to say his jiiayers,
i;i one of the most remarkable as it i« revoltiiij,' of
crimes.— />>v/w) I'Sinulay Herald.

'• We learn from railroad nien w ho came from Medi-
na this nuiridnir tliat there was a frreat e.xcitevient
in that villafjre arisini; from a rejiort that a Presbyterian
clertrynian, named J.iudsley, residiiii; a mile soiiih of
the vilhiL'e. yesterday whipi)ed his son. three years
old, "o severidy that be died two hours afterward, be-
cause he would not sa . his jirayers. liepoi't adds, that
the child's tinviers were i)rokei"i by the hlows adminis-
tered. The i-eport seemed so nionsti'ous and iinmitii-
ral, that we lelcLrrajihed to .Medina to learn if it was
true, and received an answer that it was.

•'The teleiiiaph stales that the minister was two
hours whipping? I he child with a heavy rod, and it died
within the lime slated above. Linds'ley had not been
arresteil at the lime: the dis]>atch was sent, but we
learn that an ollicer from All)ioii has ;:one to Medina
to take luni into custody. For the sake of common
huuninity. we hope the story is e.\aj;gerated, and it may
he iio>sil)le 'h.at it is.

"Sin( (^ writiiiir the above, we have received by s)>e-
clal telegraph the slatcmeiit of .Mr. l.indsley. the falh-
• f^rof ilu! child, made to a jin'y summoni'd by ((U'eiier
Chamberlain : • On the IKth of , lime, the child disobey-
ed Ills step-mother, and 1 commenced correct int: him,
tising a shinude Ibr the ))urpose, and coniliiue<l to
chaslise him for more than two hours, when the child
bcLran to show si;:ns of del)ility ; and 1 cea-ed to pun-
ish him. and laid liiin on a couch and <'alled my wife.
When sIk' saw the child, she said he was dyiiii;'. and
before twelve o'clock hi' was (U'ail.' The coroner's
jury relurned a verdict yoterday. ' that death resulted
cH'oin chastiwenieut by the father.' "

TIIK MKDINA MOXSTEIt!

The fidlow !(»;.', ft'oin the KochcHter (X. Y.) X'uhm,

fjives fiiither particulars of the ininist. r monster
ne.ar that city, w ho w IdppAd his chili! to death for not
sayiii;: his ))rayei-. — lUi-Un, /m/.ir.

"Ilie account of the .v hipping; to death of a child
three years old by its fallur, a clerpnian. becaiis. it
would not say its'prayers. near .'Medin.i. awakened the
^1 ealest iu(liL";nallon of luir citizens ii;:ainst the inhu-
man father. The rejiort was hardly i icdiled. so un-
natural and monstrous was the crime comniilleil. We
Idiisli to say it, but the most sickeniiiL; and dreadful
pait of the unparalleled horror was not piibli>Ke(l.

'• Lindsley's (that's the luonsfer's iiaine) statement
before tiM' coroner's jury was corroborated by other
w ilnes-ies before (he jui'V. The body of the cb'M told
more plainly and pathetically than words could of the
terriliie piinishmenl it had iindt'i'L^oiu'. Several of its
lin:,f( rs were broken, and the blood had oozed froni
every pore. To conceal the crime, the lather lied the
liltie one"-* hands behind lis back and placi'd it in its
cidliu. While ]diysiciaiis were inakiiu: a iiostinortem
examination of I lie body, he sat by, coolly lookiUL,' at
the i)roceedii!'_-s. After awhile he spoke, and asked
them if Ihey had luit carried 'this thinir about far
enouiih 'r' 'I'hr |ihysicians discovered no disea- 'about
the child ; it died sidely from e.seessive and cri!. I pun-
ishment. The lillle one would ha\ e been Hirer year.'S
old next .\ll'.;ust— whipped to death because it vould
not say its pr.ayers.

'•Me are told that T.indsley justitled his horrid
work ! lie thinks it was his duty to punish the child
until his will was broken and he idieyetl. J.iiidsley
was arroted and commilted to jail in .\lbioii. It was
with the utmost dilliciiily that the ollicers who h.ad
him ill char;,'!' could keep'the citizens of .Medii.a and
neiL.'hborhood Iroin lynchini,' the murderer on t h ■ spot.
Lindsley is a man ahout live feet ei;;ht iiu lies iu
IniLrhl. "\vell proporlii-ned, ha.s black whiskers, ami
dark complexion, lie has the apperaance of a man
of violent temper."'

A tcleirram announces that l?ev. Joel I.indsley. who
beat his child to death, was released from cuslo.ly on
giving hail in the sum of iilO,OW.—Jotini(il.

A CI.ICnCJY.MAN CONVUTKI).

The IJrv. Joel I.indsley, like the l{ev. Mr. l?abiu. has
been on trial charL'ed with murder, but the result has
been less fortunate for him than that of tlie .Xyliner
trial for the Canadian clertrynian. I.indsley, who was
tried at .Mbion, N. Y.. was accused of whiiipiiii; his
little sou to <leath. and the jury tliuling him guilty of
mansl nnrhter. he was sentenced to be imprisoned in
the -'ai.' prison for four years and a half. A thrill of
hori'r Went through the court-room as the physicians
testilii'd as to the condition of the child's body as seen
by them after it was laid in the cotHu. One witnoss
swore that the boy must have received several hundred
blows ; that the body was covered w illi black and blue
marks, the skin broken in many places, tin nails of tlu
hands and feet lorn up at the sides, and cm n the soles
of the feet and the backs of the bauds laid bare iu phi
ces. J, indsley acknowledged that he h.id alternately
beaten and ••reasoned with" the diild for two hours,
when, observinir a change, he laid liini on his bed.
The poor mother cried out. '• Why. do; iiny's dying !"
On this, the father took him from the lietl, ami the boy
died in his iinnfi.— Leader.

THE LINDSI.EY W'HIPPINO CA8E.

This Is a case of irreat peculiarity. Xo one. taking
a iiidina/ view of the matter, can for a moment suji-
pose that this fallier IhUndod to kill his own ciiiul.
if preiiieditaiion i:^ an ingredient of niiirder, Lindsley
is not a murderer.

Heretofore, we are informed, this clergyman has
Hiisiaineil a spotless repnial ion. and was considered an
inolleiisive man : therefore, we can not class him with
'.hose depraved wretches whose evil deeds are a terror
to the community in which they live. >;or can we
siipiiose lie was so iiillamed by anger towi'.'il a little
child, tliiee years of age, that lie deliberately pounded
it to death.

Mr. I.indsley has jindiably lieen a »ian of au:tero
liiety— a piety that is inloleraiit to the (ipinions of
others and uncouiproniising in its dealings w iili tho
world. There are thousands of such )iersons in tho
country ; they are men of iiniiracticabli! minds, who
claim that they should •• {{o riglit though the heavens
fall," and tlie.v are iii.w illing that any lliing should bo
considered " rii;ht '" unless they indorse it. Tliis wan
a peculiarity of the early bcttlers of Ncw-Englund,

'.) T'tiinn,

iiiiiiistor
111 for not

if a cliilrt

(•(•.Ills, il
C( lied IliC

tlic inliii-

(1, so 1111-
llcil. \\r

(Ircadl'iil
-hcd.
lalcincnt
liy other
•AvW lold
lid of tho
'111! of its
zed from
r tied tlic

it ill its
t iiiortciti
iidiiiii: lit
11(1 asked
about far
ave about
■ni'l 1)1111-
irec years

it "voiild

is liorrid
tlic child
Liiidsley
1. It was
who liail
•dina and
I til ■ spot.
iiK lies ill
kers, and
A il iiitm

sley. who
Liflotly on

ff-

lahiu. lias

(•suit lias

e Ayliner

who was

iliii: his

.■■iiilty of

oiied in

thrill of

vsieiaiis

seen

' witimss

iiindred

iiid l)hio

if til J

he solus

ill pla

I'liatcly

lioiirH

bed.

I\iii,ir !"

iliu boy

iakiiig
nt smi-
i chiRl.
.iiidsley

nan has
dcredan
liiii with
a terror
will we
a littl(3
ounded

an •tcro
iocs of
villi tliu

ill till!
(Is, wlio

eaveliH
loiild b(j

lis \\a!j
aigluud,

APPENDIX.

185

who pierced holps throiiirii iiropK^'s tonyrucs, iind
haii^'ed them on the friillows, and tianished Iheiil from
tlic coiuilry, all lu tlic uaiiie of their uustere ortho-
doxy.

TIk se jieeiiliarities of reliLjion are mostly the fault
of fdncalimi. .Men are so iiii|»resse(l w iili tli(! ■•duty"
they owe to (;od, that they eoniinit the i;r(talest oiiiiii-
gcs a;:ainsf hiinianity in the niiiiK! of their Creator.
Siicli reliiriii' is wors("' lliaii no relii,'i(ni at all.

IJlit lluis IS it been from the loiliiilatioii of the
World, not oiii with the Christian reliy;ion. liit in all
forms of idohiM'v How many victims lmv(, iilferud
liceuiise of their intolerant sliiril !

'I'his man who has killed hi- child is to lie pitied as
Well as coiidemned. lie Is to le jiiiii'd be(aus(! he is
so narrow iiiiuded and full of binotry as not to be al)le
to understand the (li\ iiu; truths of tlu^ Ma.'iler whom
he iirofesses to serve.

lie is condemned, bet'ore trial, b\ all dashes of the
coimiiiinily — even liy those who, •-onie of ;iiem, are as
bifToted as he is, aiid by disciples of .lesiis who pro-
fess charily for all nun". WIiIUmv ,ill must cry out
auainst this frii,'litl'iil cruelty, '. i us speak a word
ai^ainst those falsi -yrtcmsof .eliLn"!! th.it iiermit the
bi'aliiij.' of the life out (•! a te ider ch.l'l

Tlu^ aliove is from the itrleaiis iN. i .) lleiu'l'lican,
and il j;ivcs as trood a (', leiist- of Linii 'V as probalily
CHIl lie Lriveii. l!ut it is noiiseiisi; lo say thai lu^ is iiol
a ■• depi'avcd wretch, " whei. lie eiaild beat a little rliild
two hours, even ii' he did im.i iiu'aii to kill it. Such
cruelty is the bi-sl evidciic.' of depravity. — Boston, pu-

■NOTK J.

The persecution and forcible confliiomcnt in an asy-
lum of Doctor I'lUsler's wife, on account of her liberal
o]iinioiis. is not sucli a iiicture as may be merely drawn
from the iiiiau'ination : like otlier charges made in this
■work atrainst priestly character-^, it can be sustained
even too well liv iictual laet.

Till! case of .Sirs, i 1'. W. Packard, of the State of
Illiiiohs. one of the I lilted Htates of AnKuica, atlbrds
H good illustration. She was the \wfe of a minister of
tlie (iospel, "in good standiiiLr; " lier religious ideas
were too liberal for the cramped (r'thodo.vy of 'her
biu'oted husband: she not only t"'lieved in but ac-
tually taui;lit. I'liiversalism ; and for this alone slit; was
harassed and persecuted by Iter reverend i_\;aiit; and
at last wa- roicibly imprison<'d for a long lime in an
insane lios|iital.

The followin,' letter from Jii(b(! Uoardniau will ex-
plain iiKU'e fully :
'J'oii'f /" ivo/is li'ho ivmijil itcnreto dive si/fD/xit/n/amln'n-

coKi •i/i/nm/ Id <t www/ iror/liij /»it /)ers<ci//i-d iroiiian :

The undersigned, loriiirrly from the Slate of Ver-
mont, now an (lid resident of the State of Illinois,
woiil 1 most resiM'ctfully and fraternally certify and re-
present :

That he has been formerly and for many years asso-
ciated with the legal iirofession in Illinois, and is \V(;11
known in the north-easieni part of said State ; that in
the duties of his profession, and in the otbees he has
filled, he has freiinently investigattKl, judicially and
otherwise, eases of insanity: that lu^ has given con-
siderable attention to inedi('.nl jurisprudence, and lias
studied some of the best authors on thi! subject of iii-
saiiitv; h.is jiaid irrcat attention to the principles ;ind
pliilo'sopbv of mind; and therelore would say, with
all due miidestv. tlnit he verily iielievcs himself (pi.-ili-
tied to u'ive an iipinion entitled to r(^spe(•l|■nl considera-
tion oil the ipiestion of the sanity or insanity of any
iierson with whom he niav he acipiainted.

That he is ac(iiiaiiiled with .Mrs. K. 1'. \V. Packard,
and verilv .)elie\es he'.' iiol only sane, but tliat she is a
jierson ol' very superior eiidov.nieiils of niiiidand un-
derstanding, naturally possessing ;iii exceediiiLdy well-
balanced ori:aiii;catioii. which no doiiln pi-e\ ciited her
beeomin!i- insane under the perseciilion. inearceraliou,
and treatment she has receive:!; that Mrs. Packard
has been the victim of religions tiigofry, purely so.
without a siimle ciiciinistaiic(! to alleviate the dark-
ness of the transaction— a case worthy of tlie palmiest
davs of the liniuisilioii.

the (luestioii iiiav be asked. How this could hapiicn,
es])eciallv in Norttieni Illinois 'r To which I answer:
That the C(nnm(ni law prevails here the same as in
other States where thislaw has not been niodilied or
set aside bv the statute laws, which trives IIk! legal
cus;odv of 'the wife's person into the hands ol her
husb:ind; and therefore, a wife can only be relieved
from oppression, or even from iiiiprisonineiit. iiy her
husband, by tlie legal comphiinl of herself, or some

one in her behalf, before the proper Judicial nutliori-
tie-.and a hearing and decision inilii c.i^c. as vvai
Hill! ly had in .Mrs. Packard - case; sli' b.uwiiir bci'ti in
the lirsl place taken bv foi 'e, by her husband, and
sent to the insane hospital. « 'ihoiil any opportunity
to make coniiilaint. ami wilhoiii any heariiii; or iir. • s.
liv'alion. I!nl how could the superintendent of li.e
Insane hospital be a pnty to so y;reat a wrona;? Ve:y
ei!-ily answered. witluKil necessarily imp( aching his
honesty, when we con-ider that her allei;i(l inanity
was on" rellu'ioiis siibjiits. Her husband, a nunister
(d' ;,'ood standliiir in Ids deie lination, and tlu^ suiicr-
inteiideiit, synipatlii/ing wiin • iin, in all probatdlily,
ill reliLMoiis (h'votions and belii -upposed, (dciuirsi-,
thai -he was ins-ine. She \mis ;,'ally sent to him b.y
llie Milliority of her husband a italic. Mrs. Paekaril
had taiiL.dit doctrines similar to llu^ rnitaiians. rni-
ver.salists, and many radical preachers, and which (11-
reiily ojipo-'^ t he dociri lies her husband taii^dil and the
do( trill cs ol I lie cliurdi lo which he and .Mrs. Packard
belonged. The argument was, that, of course, ttio
wi lan must Ix^ cra/y ; and as she peis'sled in lic-r
liln ral seiiliineiits, the suiierintendeiit p'^rsisled in
considering that she was insane I However, whether
moral blame should attach to the superintendent and
trustees of the insane liospilal or not for this 'raiisac-
lion. olherthan prejiulice and learned ignorance, it is
i|iiite certain thai the laws, perhaps in all the States,
ill relation to the insane and their coiitln'^'>'ei,t and
trealmeiil. have been much abused by the artful and
cuniiing, who have incarcerated their relatives for the
imrposc of ^jettiu:; hold of pro|)eriy. or hir dilfereitces
of opini 1 as lo a future state of e.\isteiu ■ or reli-
gious belief.

■'be undersigned would further state, that the pi;h-
liMicd account of .Mrs. I'ackard's trial on the question
of her sanity is. no doubt, perfectly n lialih; and cor-
rect; that till.' ji'.d.ne liefoic whom she was tried is a
man of learning, ability, and hi'.di standing in the
juoiiial circuit in which lie pr(>si(l, -; that .Mrs. Pack-
ard is a person of strict integrity and niithfulness,
whose character is above reproacii ; that a history of
her case, after her trial, was published in the daily
papers (d' Chicago, and in the newspapers treneiaily
in ihe State, arousinir at the lime a public leeling of
i 11(1 iicnat ion against the .nithor of her ]ierseciition.and
sympathy for her; that nothing has transiiiredsince
to overthrow or sei aside this verdict of jiopular opiu-
ion; that it is hiu'hly prolialile that the proce ilings in
this case, so far as tiie otHcers of the St.ite !ios|)ital for
the iiisaiu^ are concerned, will uiideigo a rigid investi-
gation liy the Legislature of this Stale.

The undersigned understands that .Mrs. Packard does
not ask pecuniary charity, but that sympathy and fra-
ternal assistance which may .".iu tier to olii.iin and make
her own living, sIk! having been lelt by her husband
without any means or iirop( rty whatever.

All which is most fraieriialiy and coniidently sub-
mitted to your kind consideration.

Wll.I.IV.M A. BOARIJMAN.

W.vuKEciAX, Illinois, Dec. .'J, 180-1.

NOTE K.

DISTRESS IN EUUOI'E— StlFFEISlXa IN LONDON AND
FUANCE.

T'hk London E.vcmiiner ^txyii of the distress aiifong
the jioorat the East End in London :

■•The most populous (piarter of the liietrojiolis in
craviiiLT for I'liod. and Chis Jiiiliniidcus has to fall back
on pulilic and private charity for the means of keeping
bodv and soul together. It is deplor.-ilile to find sucu
a state of things coe.\isti!iit with and conliguoiis to an
accumulation of wealth such as was never a::irregaied
before within the same s|)aee. .V world of coined gold
in the liauks and a world of skilled labor in the hovels,
and no employnieiil, for either the one or the other —
Midas and .Misery ,in perilous pro'cimily. Let us not
be. unjust, howev(T. to Midas. 'I'lie gold wliich he can
not Use to jirotit for liiinself he i;ives with an uustint-

/ing liand lo save his poor iieiL:liliors from starvation.
The mischief is. that the demands of poverty rise with
the supplv of charily. Craving want luirsues willing
wealth as the shadow follmvs the substance. 'I'he
wiiliii;:ness of wealth leaches want to crave; and in
this lies ilu' great danger of the situation."
The London JhiUn A(-/'',v says:

'• Kveiy winter the dry and rocky bed of human mise-
ry in this rich man's coiinlry becomes a torrent and
a'lmo.st an iniuidation of distress. Instantly and in.a-
riably society sets ilselVto work in an irreuiilaraiid lie-

i wiMered iV.shioii to arrest by dikes and drains this de-

IMAGE EVALUATSON
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

1.0

!.l

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(716)S7i-4S03

186

APPENDIX.

Taatating delufre of nnknown and nnminibcretl fellow- bnt to cross the Straits of Dover or the Irish Channel
creatures who have drilted from penury to sfarvation. to find a man, fashioned by the same Ood as himself,
Our English public prifles itself on its philanthropy, but speaking a diflercnt language and having another
and rejoices in the subfcript'on-lists spread before its history, to find one naum it was justifiable to rob and
eyes every morninj' like an oblation. Hundreds of honorable to slay.

thousands of pounds ai -i distributed by checks, to the ] " Conipared with savages, Christians have only been
great relief and satisfaction <;♦" the charitable donors, better in degree. In the ;*andwich Islands cannibalism
to all sorts of committees and .ists of secreterics and used to be slnl^il only when the victims were Sandwich
collectors. Nothing was ever comparable to the or- Islanders. An Englishman or a New-Zeaiander could
gani^tion and abundance of British charity. But be eaten and relisned with impunity. We hnve stop-
where does all the money go to ? St ill the cry of want [ ped short of the eating ; but there is little else we have
rises up, and the torrent overflows, and men, and i jot deemed excusable when our victim has been of a
women, and children stai-ve and are forgotten, and race or of a religion diftcrent from ourselves. The
Btlll the checks are poured in. Then comes the ever- ! doctrine of nationality, misapplied as it has been inis-
lasling confession of incompetence to deal with such ' applied by the ci'.nnibals of Otnheite, in days gone by,
an unexampled amount of sutlerins. I has really been the origin of the evil. Englishmen

"Svery year the amount of sutfering is 'unexam- ; jmiy earnestly to heaven to save themlVom a contest
pled." Is there no possibility in this classic land of i with a kindred notion, and English statesmeft grow as
men of business, of colossal industry and cnteri)rise, | elo(,uent as Chatham did in his last great speech, de-
of obscure but enormous opulence, of arriving at some | picting the awful sinfulness of a war with our breth-
tolerably direct and eftective system of charitable as- ren. when Chatham delivered that memorable ora-
eistancc and relief? There is no other country in the tion, our subsidized Indians wore scalping our French
world that professes, as England docs, to find bread enemies on the banks of the Mississippi In hundreds,
for every man who is willinj' to work, yet leaves hun- and the pitch-cap and triangles were in the hands of
dreds ot men and women willing to work to perish for , every British ofllcer in Ireland. But there was not a
want of clothing and a loaf. Then,' is no other conn- word aoout the sinfulness of our policy. And in these
try in the world that has so many millionaires— good latter days when the danger threatens of a conflict
men, for the most part, and church or cbapel-gocrs. ! with men of the same race as ourselves, and the con-
And among them all there has been one Pea body ; and I science of England is shocked at the prospect, it never
ho is not ah English, but an American, philanthropist." i occurs to Englishmen to question whether there was

Returns up to the present year (18(i!t) go to prove that : not just as much moral guilt in rushing to the slaugh-
in Er ' ■

England is on the increase by Ave per l ter of Muscovites in the Crimea, and In blowing rebel
The total number of paupers in Great i Sepoys Into fragments from the mouths of our cannon,

as there wouldbe In carrying into Charleston harbor
an iron-clad 1\ill of the horrors of war.

" What has this false idea of nationality produced
thi-ough the long ages during which it lias been held ?
Need we travel through history IVom I'ersians and
Greeks, to Greeks and Kpmons, and then to I-ioinuns
and Carthaginians, and point to the blood which was
shed and the sufl'eiings which wore endured in the
rival nationalities of ancient history » Modern records
are but a repetition of similar details ; and if we
want un illustration, let ue see It In the relationship
which has existed for r-oven hundred years between
this country and Ireland. An Englishman, until a very
recent period, has looked upOn an irislnnan much in
the san;o way as a savage looked upon his captive— as
a fit subject, for torture and death ; an Irishman has
naturally regarded his persecutor as a victiui for re-
venge. No matter what happened, there were few
qualms of conscience on either side. Th!'.ig;i have
been d(me to an Irishman which done to an Amirlcan
would have sent a thrill of horror through the land,
and done no longer since than the days of our grand-

pauperism

cent annually. The total number of pauper
Britain being now over a million— another "triumph"
for the reverend Princes of Exeter Hall. I

Advices from various parts of Fiaiic(! speak of the !
great misery of the poorer classes. The Avenir Na-
tional says that the accounts fl-oin tin; north, centre,
and south are deplorable. The general disquiet occa-
sioned by the uncertainty of the government policy,
and augmented by divers circnmstunces in which poli-
tics do not much enter, paralyzes industry and com-
merce. The Oii-onde mentions that in Bordeaux the
number of those who demand bread and work Is
greatly increasing; that the guards at the townhouse
aro doubled, and a squad of nergentn-dfi-rille stationed
before the gate, " round which a famished crowd ga-
thers." At Lille, Auxerre, Limoges, and other tow.'s.
the charitable boards (Bureaux de Bienfaisance) have
been obliged to adopt "excepilonui measures" to
maintain tranquillity. In Paris, the boartis of public
relief have received nearly 400,0001". from the Minister
of the Interior, and even this hardly sutlices. M. de
Oirardin pertinently asks whether siu-h a state of
things is not a supreme warning to Europe that it has

BOUKtthing more useful and more urgent to do than to : fathers. If we could only get Englishmen and the peo

augment its armies. If it be not to make war, why
are they increased t If it be to make war, why is there
any delay about it? "Between amputation before
gangrene sets in and amputation alter It, who but a
uiadinan would iKisitatey"

In other countries of Christian Europe tht; terrible
details of poverty and suflcring among the masses are
luoht lamentable. i

NOTE L.

I'j is a pleasure to find thai the idea advanced in this
volume against NationiUiiy has already occurred to
others. The following article from the Aortiiern
Pretts, as publiHhed In the London JhiUic Opinion
of March 21st, 18U8, is suftlcleutly clear on that sub-
ject :

" NATIONALITY.

" Throughout all our history, an Englishman has

pie of every country to read attentivaly, and not as In-
dividuals, that parable of the Good Sumaritan, nation-
ality would soon become what it should be. Ileaven
has made nations ; the enemy of Ileaven iisesHhem,
and will continue to use them while we continue to
believe that the commandment lo love our neighbors
simply means that we are to love those of the same
religion and the same race, and that all others may be
lioted, and hunted, and made stepping-stones to what
men cill glory. When nations are only diflercnt that
they may display the beauty of union, no Chatham of
the ui tare shall rise in the British Commons, talk of
the horrors of war with our brethren, and be silent
about the sin of slaying those who are not of our race ;
and no one shall enforce the special duty of keeping
peace with those who speak our language without be-
iiiif equally earnest in protecting from destruction
those wht) adopt a riifl'erent tonijuo ; the world shall be
one great nation with God as its ruler, and Injustice
Biiall be hijustico wherever perpetrated."

he Irish Channel
(Jod as himself,
1 having another
flable to rob and

n have only been
nds cannibalism
8 were Sandwicli
Zealander could
We hove stop-
ttle else we have
n has been of a
ourselves. The
it has been mis-
n days cone by,
II. tngliehmen
ft-om a contest
tesmeh grow as
reat speech, de-
ivith our breth-
nemorable ora-
)ing our French
?i in hundreds,
1 the hands of
here was not a
• And in these
IS of a conflict
8, and the con-
ospect. it never
3ther there was
J to the slaugh-
1 bloving rebel
of our cannon,
irleston harbor

lality produced
lias been held ?
1 Persians and
en to lioinana
ood whicli was
sndurcd in the
lodern records
Is ; and if we
le relationship
years between
!»n. until a very
mian much in
Ills captive— as
Irishman has
victim for re-
icre were few
Th'jigH have
i an AmiTiam
ugh the land,
or our grand-
in and tlie peo-
and not as in-
aritan, nation-
I be. Heaven
!n usesHhem,
B continue to
i>ur neighbors
e of the same
others may be
tones to what
difterent that
Chatham of
moihs. talk of
and be silent
)t of our race;
ityof keeping
e without be-
ll destruction
world shall be
and ii\Justice