for the personal liberality of its members
when called on to join in public or private subscriptions, and for the
exalted influence they exerted in affairs generally.

Into such a church, and among such a people, Hiram Meeker proposes to
introduce himself.

* * * * *

His first move was to call on Dr. Chellis without any introduction, and
present his credentials from the church in Burnsville, as well as an
excellent letter from his minister, certifying particularly as to his
religious character and deportment. He thought by going as an
unsophisticated youth from the country he would make a better impression
and more strongly commend himself to the Doctor's sympathy than in any
other way.

I think, however, that Hiram's call was rather of a failure. He had no
ordinary man to deal with. Dr. Chellis had not only a profound knowledge
of human nature, but a quick insight into its various peculiarities. He
could classify individuals rapidly; and he read Hiram after fifteen
minutes' conversation.

The latter, not accustomed to men of the Doctor's calibre, found himself
wanting in his usual equanimity. His familiar role did not serve, he
could see that, and for once his resources failed him.

For the Doctor did not appear to be specially interested when Hiram,
apropos of nothing, except as a last card, undertook, in a meek,
saint-like manner, to give him an account of his early conviction of sin
and subsequent triumphant conversion. Indeed, if the truth must be told,
the worthy divine gave evident symptoms--to speak plainly--of being
bored before Hiram's story was half finished! The latter was not slow to
see this, and he found it difficult to rally.

At length he gave the Doctor an opportunity to speak, by bringing his
personal narrative to a close.

'You have no acquaintances in the city?'

'I think I may say none, except in business; and my object in selecting
such a church as yours is to keep up the same degree of piety which I
humbly trust I maintained in my village home.'

[Pretty well, Hiram, pretty well--but you have an old head to deal
with, and an honest heart: be careful.]

'To do that,' replied the Doctor, gravely, 'you must not look back to
what you were, or thought you were. Be sure you are in danger when you
feel complacent about yourself.'

These were awful words to Hiram, and from such a severe, grave,
dignified old man.

'In danger!' That was something new. 'Of