"One word, Master Valden," said the old pastor. "You surely forget that it is my duty in the sight of God, to warn and admonish in the home of sin, as much as it is my privilege to comfort in the house of mourning, or to speak a word in season to him that is weary. In all ways, and to all men, Christ's gospel of repentance and salvation must be preached by me; yea, woe is me if I preach not the Gospel. And woe is me, likewise, if respect of persons, or fear of violence, or even a desire not to offend, makes me to hold my peace, keeping back the word of truth that the Lord hath given me to speak.
"Jaspar Valden, I have no ill-feeling towards you in my heart. Would to God that I needed not to say unto you aught but comfortable words. Would to God that ye were seekers after truth, would-be followers of the loving and gracious One, whose servant I am."
Jasper was about to speak, but Pastor Oshart rose from his seat and held up his hand, and the old man kept silence.
"Oh, my friends (suffer me to call you so this once)," cried the pastor, "my mouth is open unto you, my heart is enlarged. This night I have been sent to you in God's providence with a message from man, and now I stand before you having also a message from the Lord Himself. He only knows if the Gospel invitation will ever be spoken to you again. He only can tell whether or no for any or all of you the day of grace, the accepted time, ends to-night. I beseech you, flee from the wrath to come while yet you may. I pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. I earnestly plead with you to turn from your evil ways, from the love of money which causes you to sin, and to come, just as you are, to the open arms of Jesus. For are we not told that 'when the wicked man turneth away front his wickedness and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive'?
"And since He is faithful that hath promised, no word shall fail of all that the Lord hath spoken, if you will but come as penitents to Him and cry, 'God be merciful to me a sinner, for Jesus, Thy Son's, dear sake.'"
Here the old pastor's voice broke in a sob; the inspired light died out of his eyes, and tears rolled down his furrowed cheeks.
"Oh, my people!" he sighed tremblingly. "'Turn ye—turn ye; why will ye die?'"
Jasper Valden's rugged, powerful face worked with emotion as the pastor spoke.
Once he seemed on the point of replying impulsively, but a hard, scornful look from his son Dorlat silenced him.
Again there was silence, and Pastor Oshart turned towards the door and waited there. Presently he said very gently, "I pray you, Master Valden, to re-consider that matter of your son Freskel. Give him to me, and before God I promise that you shall not repent it."