"Yes, I do; it was there that the plaguy fox turned tail and led us our memorable run, that day."
"Well, dear husband, there is no place of worship nor school-house in either of those villages, and the people must walk four and five miles to the Falcon Range on Sundays or stay at home, except when Mr. Herbert is able to meet them in Farmer Bankes' kitchen, which he is glad to lend, but which is not large enough for a tithe of the people who like to attend. Mrs. Falconer and Maude visit the cottages every week, but they need closer and more regular instruction among the children. There are also some brick-fields near, and a very rough ignorant set of work-people need looking after. Now, Roger, if you could build them a nice large, airy room for worship on Sundays, and school on week-days, and provide some true servant of Christ to work there, preaching the Gospel plainly and lovingly, and presiding over the schools with a like-minded teacher, I do think it might be a thank-offering to God which He could accept and bless."
"This is a good thought, Dorothy. We must consider it well, count the cost, and do our best. And if it should involve a little self-denial in some ways—"
"So much the better for us, Roger," said Dorothy, quickly, "it will then be a perpetual thank-offering, not an isolated act and done with for ever. What a sweet remembrance for us every week, dear husband, if we are giving up something to have our Lord's Truth taught, and souls saved and families blessed."
"Thou might'st have been in the river with Guy, t'other day, Dorothy!" said the Squire, admiringly.
"Perhaps the tender pity of my God that day has drawn me closer to the Water of Life, and every draught of that stream stimulates the desire to put the same cup into every hand."
And is it not so?
The Squire, too, was within the charmed circle, and the expansive principle of Christian love was warming and winning its way amongst the generous impulses of natural feeling, consecrating and leading them to the service and glory of a new Master, whose claims were being affectionately recognized with a pleasure and peace which only "he that dwelleth in love" can know.
"But, my dear Dorothy," said the Squire, thoughtfully, after ways and means had been discussed, "we can build and prepare, but you know we cannot make the minister: where shall we find the right man?"
"Dear husband, let us not be faithless, but believing. God has made the minister, and will produce him when he is required."