"That's not exactly how I should describe him; he is the head of the clergy in any diocese where he may be placed, a diocese means a certain division of the church which is given into his keeping, and the clergy have to look up to him as their head. What made you think he was a head doctor?"
"I didn't understand, but Jessie said he would lay his hands upon her and make her strong."
They had reached the church door, and Tom unlocked it and passed in before he answered. Then, in the simplest language he could command, he drew Jack to his side and gave him his first lesson on the sacraments, the outward signs which—God appointed—convey the inward grace. He talked to him of baptism, pointing to the tiny font, as he spoke, where the water poured on the baby's face, accompanied with the clergyman's prayer, was the sign of the Holy Spirit descending upon the little child; how, after confirmation, that child would be dedicated to God to be His faithful soldier and servant until his life's end.
"And when you are a big boy, Jack, you will, I hope, do what Jessie is so anxious to do now, you will stand before the Bishop——"
"Will Jessie stand. Will she be strong enough?" broke in Jack.
"No, God will know she can't stand, but she will lie with folded hands and make her promise to go on serving God all her life and to fight against the devil and all his works, and then the Bishop will lay his hands upon her head and pray that the Holy Spirit may come upon her and make her strong enough by His gifts to keep this promise. It is that strength, we believe the laying on of hands conveys."
"Then it won't make Jessie walk?" said Jack dejectedly.
"Dear boy, it will make her walk straight on the road towards God, and that is the first thing, the most important thing in all the world, to get nearer to God. But if ever she is able to walk again it will be God that gives her the power. And now it is time you began to ring the bell."
But Jack had some more questions to ask.
"Shall I see Jessie confirmed, see the Bishop lay his hands on her head?"