l matter.

The dean could quite feel that his connection with the school would lead
to the desire of speaking a few words to the parents of the children who
were entrusted to his care.

But this again was not exactly the subject on which Mr. Johnsen wished
to speak. There were many things which might weigh on the mind and
oppress the thoughts. It would be better, once for all, to disburden the
conscience by coming forward honestly and truthfully.

The dean allowed that the idea was only natural. It was the duty of
every Christian, and especially of a clergyman, to speak truthfully. But
sincerity was a rare virtue, and was often hidden under the changing
circumstances of life. But great care would be necessary. It was of the
first importance to examine closely both one's mind and one's
composition.

Johnsen was able to say honestly that he had arrived at his conclusions
after earnest thought and conscientious inquiry, and that his conviction
was the result of many lonely hours of self-examination.

The dean could assure him that he well knew these lonely hours of
thought, and great was the blessing that might be found in them; but he
would venture to suggest what he knew from his own experience, that the
problems which a man worked out alone were not always the most
trustworthy. He would, therefore, remind him of the passage where we are
recommended to confess to each other, which seemed to suggest working in
fellowship, and giving each other mutual assistance.

Johnsen answered that that was the very reason why he wished to speak to
the congregation.

The two sat on opposite sides of the dean's table, regarding each other
attentively. Johnsen was pale and had something nervous about his
manner, which seemed to betoken a wish to bring the interview to a
close.

Dean Sparre sat leaning back in his armchair, and in his hand he held a
large ivory paper-knife, which he used to emphasize his words; not,
indeed, for the purpose of gesticulating or striking on the table, but
every now and then, when he came to some particular point, he drew the
knife up and down on the sheets of paper which lay before him.

To speak the thoughts plainly before the congregation was certainly
desirable in itself, and entirely in accordance with Scripture. But it
was quite easy to imagine that a man might want to make other
confessions which should not be for every ear. The Church had,
therefore, another and more restricted form of conf