rd, his
hands locked together, and the vein in his forehead standing out like
whip-cord; his lips were white and compressed.

Mr. Dean got on his feet again, with much less embarrassment in his
manner. Mr. Smith's share in the responsibility was a great relief.

"It is exactly as Brother Smith says," he said. "If it was just--just
her, we wouldn't, perhaps, meddle, though I ain't sure but what it would
be our duty. But the church,--we have got to protect it. We would wish to
summon her, and see if we can bring her to a realizing sense of her
condition before proceeding to any extreme measure. If she remained in a
hardened state, it would then be our duty to bring charges and proof. And
we should do it, bein' supported by a sense of duty--and by the grace of
God."

Here Mr. Johnson rose, rather noisily, and Mr. Dean looked at him
impatiently.

"He'll spoil it all," he muttered, as he sat down between Mr. Smith and
Mr. Bent.

"I just want to say," said Mr. Johnson, in a quick, high voice, "that I'm
not in sympathy with this meeting."

John looked at him eagerly.

"It is my idea that these sort of things never do. The day has passed for
forcing people into believing things,--yes, sir,--and it doesn't do any
good, anyhow. Now, my advice would be, don't disturb things, don't break
up the peace. I'm for peace and quiet and a happy life, before anything
else. Just let's not say anything about it. There's nothing, brethren,
like argument for disturbing a church or a home. I know it; I'm a married
man. And I just advise you to keep quiet. Use your influence in a quiet,
easy way, but nothing else. May be it will come out all right, after
all."

He sat down again, and Mr. Dean and Mr. Smith began to whisper to him
with evident indignation.

But the preacher's face was full of doubt and grief. "No," he said at
last, moving his dry lips with a visible effort, "we cannot conquer sin
by hiding it or forgetting it, and I believe that this Session has the
welfare of the church sincerely at heart; but I do not believe the plan
you propose will profit either the church or the soul of whom you speak.
Her absence at present would, at all events, make it necessary to defer
any action. In the mean time, I believe that the Lord will teach me
wisdom, and will grant grace and peace to her whose welfare is the
subject of your prayers. If I reach any conclusion in the matter which
you ought to know, I will communicate with you. If ther