ncements of any electioneering
cause. But in these times of social discontent and upheaval it must not
be forgotten that eternal verities were at stake. There were men--there
were multitudes, alas! who made it the object of their life-long
endeavour to oust Christianity from the world; if not avowedly, at all
events in fact. Therefore would he describe to them in brief, clear
sentences what really was implied in a struggle between the parties
commonly known as Conservative and Liberal. He judged no individual; he
spoke only of principles, of a spirit, an attitude. The designs of
Russia, the troubles in Ireland--of these things he knew little and
recked less; they were "party shibboleths," and did not concern a
Christian minister in his pulpit. But deeper lay the interests for
which parties nowadays were in truth contending. It had come to this:
are we to believe, or are we _not_ to believe that the "kingdom of God"
must have precedence of worldly goods? The working classes of this
country--ah, how sad to have to speak with condemnation of the
poor!--were being led to think that the only object worth striving
after was an improvement of their material condition. Marvellous to
say, they were encouraged in this view by people whom Providence had
blessed with all the satisfactions that earth can give. When the
wealthy, the educated thus repudiated the words of Christ, what could
be expected of those whom supreme Goodness has destined to a
subordinate lot? No! material improvement was _not_ the first thing,
even for those unhappy people (victims for the most part of their own
improvident or vicious habits) who had scarcely bread to eat and
raiment wherewith to clothe themselves. Let them seek the kingdom of
God, and these paltry, temporal things shall surely be added unto them.

This sermon was printed at the office of the _Polterham Mercury_, and
distributed freely throughout the town. He had desired no such thing,
said Mr. Vialls, but the pressure of friends was irresistible. In
private, meanwhile, he spoke fiercely against the Radical candidate,
and never with such acrimony as in Mrs. Mumbray's drawing-room when
Serena was present. One afternoon he stood up, tea-cup in hand, and, as
his habit was, delivered a set harangue on the burning topic.

"In one respect," he urged, after many other accusations, "I consider
that Mr. Quarrier is setting the very worst, the most debasing, the
most demoralizing example to these workin