"Mother Assistant used to say, that all the sectaries in Christendom became so by reading the Bible!" said I. "She said if every body came to read it and judge it for themselves, there would be an end of the church. I never could understand how that could be. But what did you think of Mr. Wesley's sermon? It was not much like one of Father Brousseau's, was it?"
"Not at all like it! But if you ask what I think, I don't know; only I think it is beautiful in him, to go and preach to the poor colliers that no one has cared for. It is like what we used to hear of St. Vincent de Paul, among the poor. I wish I could hear him once more."
We saw no more of Mr. Wesley that night, only I looked out before I went to bed, (it was as bright moonlight as we ever have in England,) and saw two dark figures pacing arm in arm, up and down the paved walk which led from the rectory door to the church porch, and from their relative size, I concluded that they were Mr. Wesley and Mr. Cheriton.
The next morning, Mr. Wesley came to bid us good-bye. He thanked Mrs. Thorpe in warm terms for her kindness to his poor brother and sister as he called them, and delicately offered to repay any charges she had been at, concerning them. But this Mrs. Thorpe positively declined.
"I did but do as I would be done by!" said she. "Any woman would have a heart harder than the nether mill-stone, who should refuse help to another woman in her case. How a man of sense such as poor Mr. Edwards seems to be, should expose his wife to such peril, passes my comprehension. 'Twas sheer madness."
"He was taking his wife to Berwick to pass the time of her trouble with her own mother, whom she had not seen for many years!" replied Mr. Wesley. "He had preached at the Sandgate before, and had never met with any disturbance; nor do I think there would have been any had the people not been set on."
He then turned to Amabel and myself, who were standing behind Mrs. Thorpe, as we had just risen from breakfast.
"And to you, my dear young ladies, what can I say but to thank you, and leave you the blessing of a unworthy sinner. Be sure you will be in my prayers, and my thoughts, and perhaps we may meet again. Meantime, will you accept and read these books?"
He opened a parcel which he carried, and presented us each with a pretty copy of the New Testament. Then once more bidding us farewell, he went his way, passing through the shop, where stood Mrs. Wilson, Lady Throckmorton's woman, selecting some ribbons for her mistress. As Mr. Wesley passed her, she gave vent to a modish oath, asking perdition to take her, if she could find anything fit to be seen.
"Madam!" said Mr. Wesley. "I advise you to consider your words. It may be that perdition will overtake you, whether you find what you seek or not."