"Yes, and too personal. The business of our lives is to give glory to God; and it is of no moment whether we do it by sounding His praises abroad or by keeping His commandments at home. It seems to me that now-a-days men think and talk too much about improving their own characters, and meditate too little upon the perfection of the Divine Character."
"They ought to do the one without leaving the other undone," said Paul. "I cannot admit that holiness is a substitute for usefulness."
"You and I travel by different roads and our methods are not alike; yet both our ways lead up to Jerusalem, as all roads lead to Rome."
"Yes," replied Paul, "the railways are not laid along the old coachroads, but they bring us to the same places as the coaches did."
"And more quickly, too," added Mr. Seaton. "I must not forget that."
During his stay at Chayford, Paul saw a great deal of Mr. Ford. These two shared many opinions, both political and otherwise, and much enjoyed mutual intercourse.
"I wish you could knock some of your common-sense into Edgar," said Edgar's father one day, "it would be invaluable to him in his political career."
"The inculcation of common-sense is a complicated operation," replied Paul.
"I know it," sighed Michael Ford.
"Does Edgar intend to go into Parliament soon?" Paul asked, as he and Mr. Ford walked down the High Street together.