like, my son, than you and I think. Some of us have more of the
one, and some of the other: but in truth I cannot contradict Mr
Whitefield. 'Tis a just portrait of what man is by nature."

"But, Sir!" cried Angus, "do you allow nothing for a man's natural
virtues?"

"What are they?" asked my Uncle. "I allow that `there is none that
doeth good, no, not one.' You were not taught, Angus, that a man had
virtues natural to him, except as the Spirit of God implanted them in
him."

"No, Sir; but when I go forth into the world, I cannot help seeing that
it is so."

"I wish I could see it!" said my Uncle. "It would be a much more
agreeable sight than many things I do see."

"Well, Sir, take generosity and good temper," urged Angus. "Do you not
see much of these in men who, as Mr Whitefield would say, are worldly
and ungodly?"

"I often see the Lord's restraining grace," answered my Uncle, quietly;
"but am I to give the credit of it to those whom He restrains?"

"But think you, Sir, that it is wise--" Angus paused.

"Go on, my boy," said my Uncle. "I like you to speak out, like an
honest man. By all means have courage to own your convictions. If they
be right ones, you may so have them confirmed; and if they be wrong, you
stand in better case to have them put right."

I did not think Angus looked quite comfortable. He hesitated a moment,
and then, I suppose, came out with what he had meant to say.

"Think you not, Sir, that it is wise to leave unsaid such things as
offend people, and make them turn away from preaching? Should we not be
careful to avoid offence?"

"Unnecessary offence," saith my Uncle. "But the offence of the cross is
precisely that which we are warned not to avoid. `Not with wisdom of
words,' saith the Apostle, `lest the cross of Christ should be made of
none effect.' In his eyes, `then is the offence of the cross ceased,'
was sufficient to condemn the preaching whereof he spoke. And that
policy of keeping back truth is the Devil's policy; 'tis Jesuitical.
`Will ye speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?' `Shall
the throne of iniquity have fellowship with _Thee_?' Never, Angus:
never!"

"But our Lord Himself seems to have kept things back from His
disciples," pleaded Angus, uneasily.

"Yes, what they were not ready for and could not yet understand. But
never that which offended them. He offended them terribly when He told
them that the Son of Man was about to be