re was a good deal of fun altogether. They talked a great deal
about the numbers of bibles, testaments, and portions which had been
sent out. There was one man who spoke very broadly, and kept on speaking
of the 'PORTIONS,' and there was another whom we called the 'Great
Door,' because eight times in his speech he said that a great door had
been opened for them in Italy and other places. Altogether, I thought
them rather smug and self-satisfied, especially one man whose face shone
on the slightest provocation, and who remarked, in broad Lincolnshire,
that they had been 'aboondantly blessed.' After his speech a little
short, sleek oily man got up, and talked about Providence. Apparently
it had been very kind to him, and he thought the other sort of thing
did best for those who got it. But there were one or two really good
speakers, and I dare say they were all in earnest. Still, you know, Tom
and I felt rather like fish out of water, and especially when they began
to sing, 'Oh, Bible, blessed Bible!' and a lady would make me share her
hymn book. Then, too, there was a collection, and the man made quite
a pause in front of us, and of course we couldn't give anything.
Altogether, I felt rather horrid and hypocritical for being there at
all."

"Is that your only experience of one of our meetings?"

"Oh, no, father took me with him two or three times to Westminster Abbey
a good many years ago. We heard the dean; father admired him very
much. I like Westminster Abbey. It seems to belong a little to us, too,
because it is so national. And then it is so beautiful, and I liked
hearing the music. I wonder, though, that you are not little afraid of
having it so much in your worship. I remember hearing a beautiful anthem
there once, which just thrilled one all through. I wonder that you
don't fear that people should mistake that for what you call spiritual
fervor."

"I think, perhaps, there is a danger in any undue introduction of
externals, but any one whose spirit has ever been awakened will never
mistake the mere thrill of sensuous rapture for the quickening of the
spirit by the Unseen."

"You are talking riddles to me now!" said Erica; "but I feel sure that
some of the people who go to church regularly only like it because of
that appeal to the senses. I shall never forget going one afternoon into
Notre Dame with Mme. Lemercier. A flood of crimson and purple light
was shining in through the south transept windows. You could