iscans bore a very remarkable likeness
to that devised by John Wesley for his itinerant preachers, if
indeed the former did not suggest the latter. They were not to
supersede the parochial system, only to supplement it. They were
not to administer the sacraments, only to send people to their
ordinary parish priest for them, save in the rare cases of friars
in full orders, who might exercise their offices, but so as not to
interfere with the ordinary jurisdiction. The consent of the bishop
of the diocese was at first required, and ordinarily that of the
parish priest; but in the not infrequent cases where a slothful
vicar would not allow any intrusion on his sinecure, his objections
were disregarded. When the parish priest gave consent, the church
was used if conveniently situated; otherwise the nearest barn or
glade in the woods was utilised for the sermons. Like certain
modern religionists, they were free and easy in their modes,
frequently addressing passers by with personal questions, and often
resorting to eccentric means of attracting attention. But unlike
their modern imitators, they acted on very strict subordination to
Church authority, and all their influence was used on behalf of the
Church; although they strove as their one great aim to infuse
personal religion into the dry bones of the existing system, which
they fully accepted, while teaching that "the letter without the
spirit killeth."

In short, their system was thoroughly evangelical at the outset,
although it grievously degenerated in after days.

______________________________________________________________

Martin's health was still far from strong. He yet felt the effects
of the terrible attack of the black fever or plague the preceding
spring; and now he was once more prostrated by a comparatively
slight return of the feverish symptoms, the after effects of his
illness.

But he had found his nurse now. What a delight it was to his mother
to take his head, "that dear head," upon her knee, and to fondle it
once more, as if he were a child again. Now she had her reward for
all her loving self denial in sending him away and feigning herself
dead.

In the summer time, especially if the weather were warm and genial,
the greenwood was not a bad place for an invalid, and Martin was as
well attended as if he had been in the infirmary at Michelham, and
with far more loving care. But under such care he rapidly gathered
strength, and as he did so