to
the almost distracting of them.' It was Sabbaths like that that made the
people of Mansoul call their minister a seer.

5. And, then, there was another thing that I do not know how better to
describe than by calling it the true catholicity, the true humility, and
the true hospitality of the man. It is true he had no choice in the
matter, for in setting up a standing ministry in Mansoul Emmanuel had
done so with this reservation and addition. We have His very words. 'Not
that you are to have your ministers alone,' He said. 'For my four
captains, they can, if need be, and if they be required, not only
privately inform, but publicly preach both good and wholesome doctrine,
that, if heeded, will do thee good in the end.' Which, again, reminds me
of what Oliver Cromwell wrote to the Honourable Colonel Hacker at
Peebles. 'These: I was not satisfied with your last speech to me about
Empson, that he was a better preacher than fighter--or words to that
effect. Truly, I think that he that prays and preaches best will fight
best. I know nothing that will give like courage and confidence as the
knowledge of God in Christ will. I pray you to receive Captain Empson
lovingly.'

6. The standing ministry in Mansoul was endowed also; but I cannot
imagine what the court of teinds would make of the instrument of
endowment. As it has been handed down to us, that old ecclesiastical
instrument reads more like a lesson in the parish minister's class for
the study of Mysticism than a writing for a learned lord to adjudicate
upon. Here is the Order of Council: 'Therefore I, thy Prince, give thee,
My servant, leave and licence to go when thou wilt to My fountain, My
conduit, and there to drink freely of the blood of My grape, for My
conduit doth always run wine. Thus doing, thou shalt drive from thine
heart all foul, gross, and hurtful humours. It will also lighten thine
eyes, and it will strengthen thy memory for the reception and the keeping
of all that My Father's noble secretary will teach thee.' Thus the
Prince did put Mr. Conscience into the place and office of a minister to
Mansoul, and the chosen and presented man did thankfully accept thereof.

(1) Now, there are at least three lessons taught us here. There is, to
begin with, a lesson to all those congregations who are about to choose a
minister. Let all those congregations, then, who have had devolved on
them the powers of the old patrons,--let them make their e