adn't a cent. That clique is a
powerful one, and they all hang together. Mark my words: they won't let
the old man go under, and it would have been a fortune to you to have
stood by him. You've taken a country view of this business, Hiram. There
every man tries to pull his neighbor down. Here, we try to build one
another up.'

'You are doubtless correct,' replied Hiram, 'but the mischief is done,
and I want you to help me remedy it. If you can't aid me, nobody can.'

Mr. Bennett was not insensible to the compliment.

'Certainly, certainly,' he answered, 'you know you can count on me. I
have always told you that you could, and I meant what I said. But you
must permit me to point out your mistakes, and I tell you you should
have asked my advice in this affair.'

'Very true.'

'You think Dr. Chellis won't yield?'

'I am sure of it.'

Mr. Bennett sat fixed in thought for at least five minutes, during which
time, I am inclined to think, Hiram's countenance, could it have been
seen through the darkness, would have been a study for an artist. For it
doubtless exhibited (because it could _not_ be seen) his actual feelings
and anxieties. He was startled at last into an exclamation of fright by
receiving an unexpected slap on his shoulder, which came from Mr.
Bennett, who, rising at that moment, gave this as a token of having
arrived at a happy solution of the difficulty. In this respect he was as
abrupt as Dr. Chellis had been with his friend.

'The thing is settled. There is but one course to pursue, and you must
take it. I will explain when we can have more light on the subject, to
say nothing of our cup of tea.'

He rang the bell, the parlor was lighted, and tea served, when Mr.
Bennett again broke the silence.

'Hiram,' he said, abruptly, 'you must quit the Presbyterian church.'

Hiram's heart literally stopped beating. He turned deadly pale.

Mr. Bennett perceived it. 'Don't be frightened,' he said. 'You have made
a great mistake, and I would help you repair it. I repeat, you must quit
the Presbyterian church, and you must join ours. You must indeed,' he
continued, seeing Hiram look undecided.

'Does it teach the true salvation?' asked Hiram, doubtingly.

'How can you ask such a question?' replied Mr. Bennett, in a severe
tone; 'are we not in the apostolic line? Are not the ordinances
administered by a clergy whose succession has never been broken?
You--you Presbyterians, _may_ possibly be saved by the grac