ring from mine. Modern
research has introduced so many variations of thought, that no good
work would be done at all if we required of our fellow-labourers perfect
similarity of speculative belief."

"Yet suppose he undertook to teach others?"

"The simple outlines of universal doctrine and morality which are
required by poor children are not affected by the variations to which
investigation conducts minds of more scope."

"I am afraid such variations may often reach the foundation."

"Now, Miss Williams, I am sure you must often have heard it observed how
when it comes to real practical simple teaching of uninstructed people,
villagers or may be heathens, the details of party difference melt away,
and people find themselves in accordance."

"True, but there I think party differences in the Church, and even the
variations between Christian sects are concerned, both being different
ways of viewing the same truth. These may, like the knights in the old
fable, find that both were right about the shield, both have the same
foundation. But where the foundation is not the same, the results of the
teaching will not agree."

"Every one agrees as to morality."

"Yes, but do all give a motive sufficient to enforce the self-denial
that morality entails? Nay, do they show the way to the spiritual
strength needful to the very power of being moral?"

"That is begging the question. The full argument is whether the full
church, say Christian system, exactly as you, as we hold it, is needful
to the perfection of moral observance. I don't say whether I assent, but
the present question is whether the child's present belief and practice
need be affected by its teacher's dogmatic or undogmatic system."

"The system for life is generally formed in childhood. Harvest depends
on seed time."

"And after all," added Rachel, "we have no notion whether this poor man
be not precisely of your own opinions, and from their fruits I am sure
you ought to claim them."

"Their blossoms if you please," laughed Ermine. "We have not seen their
fruits yet."

"And I shall take care the fruits are not nipped with the blight of
suspicion," said Rachel, good-humouredly.

However, after driving Ermine home, and seeing her lifted out and
carried into the house by her sister, Rachel did send the carriage back
by the groom and betake herself to Villars's shop, where she asked for
a sight of the "Clergy List." The name of Mauleverer caught her eye,
bu