Then he touched on the characteristics of the present generation, comparing them with those laid down in the Bible which were certain to come, even when Christianity was spread throughout the nations. He finally made a personal appeal to his congregation.
"We will leave generalities and other people, and come straight away to ourselves. As the years roll by, are we getting to know our Master with a deeper love, and a greater reality, or with less affection and conviction than when we were young?"
Anstice listened spellbound. She said to herself: "I have never really known Him at all. I have always been far off from Him." And she came out of church with an ache in her heart. She was standing a little way from the church, on a rising hillock overlooking the lake, when a voice behind her made her turn.
"Good evening, Mrs. Holme."
It was the Rector. She did not know in her present frame of mind whether she was glad or sorry to see him.
"I am coming your way," he said. "I want to see a sick parishioner in Butterdale—"
They talked of various things, and then Anstice said impulsively:
"You have made me very unhappy this evening."
"How? My mission is to make people happy, if I do my work rightly."
"You have shown me what I have suspected, that I am far away. I don't think I have ever been really near."