"That disposes of the whole matter comfortably at once," said
Mr. Stackpole.
"But, Sir," said Mrs. Evelyn "that doesn't stand alone the
Bible everywhere speaks of the fulness and freeness of
Christ's salvation!"
"Full and free as it can possibly be," he answered, with something of a sad expression of countenance; "but, Mrs. Evelyn, never offered but with conditions."
"What conditions?" said Mr. Stackpole, hastily.
"I recommend you to look for them, Sir," answered Mr. Carleton, gravely; "they should not be unknown to a wise man."
"Then you would leave mankind ridden by this nightmare of fear? or what is your remedy?"
"There is a remedy, Sir," said Mr. Carleton, with that dilating and darkening eye which showed him deeply engaged in what he was thinking about; "it is not mine. When men feel themselves lost, and are willing to be saved in God's way, then the breach is made up then hope can look across the gap and see its best home and its best friend on the other side then faith lays hold on forgiveness, and trembling is done then, sin being pardoned, the sting of death is taken away and the fear of death is no more, for it is swallowed up in victory. But men will not apply to a physician while they think themselves well; and people will not seek the sweet way of safety by Christ till they know there is no other; and so, do you see, Mrs. Evelyn, that when the gentleman you were speaking of sought to-day to persuade his hearers that they were poorer than they thought they were, he was but taking the surest way to bring them to be made richer than they ever dreamed."
There was a power of gentle earnestness in his eye that Mrs. Evelyn could not answer; her look fell as that of Constance had done, and there was a moment's silence.
Thorn had kept quiet, for two reasons that he might not displease Fleda, and that he might watch her. She had left her work and turning half round from the table, had listened intently to the conversation, towards the last, very forgetful that there might be anybody to observe her with eyes fixed and cheeks flushing, and the corners of the mouth just indicating delight till the silence fell; and then she turned round to the table and took up her worsted-work. But the lips were quite grave now, and Thorn's keen eyes discerned that upon one or two of the artificial roses there lay two or three very natural drops.
"Mr. Carleton," said Edith, "what makes you talk such sober things? you have set Miss Ringgan to crying."