“It is not his time, sir.  He didn’t promise to come till Monday week.”

“Do neither you nor Michael speak with him, nor listen to his public preachings.  I mean, regard him not as one having authority.  I speak solemnly, and with a view to your eternal peace.  Do not forget.”

Every house was visited, and in all, opportunity was found for the exercise of the benevolent feelings by which the incumbent was manifestly actuated.  He lost no occasion of affording his flock sound instruction and good advice.  It could not be doubted for an instant that their real welfare, temporal and everlasting, lay deeply in his heart.  I was struck by one distinguishing feature in his mode of dealing with his people; it was so opposed to the doctrine and practice of Mr Clayton, and of those who were connected with him.  With the latter, a certain degree of physical fervour, and a conventional peculiarity of expression, were insisted upon and accepted as evidences of grace and renewed life.  With Mr Fairman, neither acquired heat, nor the more easily acquired jargon of a clique, were taken into account.  He rather repressed than encouraged their existence; but he was desirous, and even eager, to establish rectitude of conduct and purity of feeling in the disciples around him:  these were to him tangible witnesses of the operation of that celestial Spirit before whose light the mists of simulation and deceit fade unresistingly away.  I could not help remarking, however, that in every cottage the same injunction was given in respect of the itinerant; the same solemnity of manner accompanied the command; the same importance was attached to its obedience.  There seemed to me, fresh from the hands of Mr Clayton, something of bigotry and uncharitableness in all this.  I did not hint at this effect upon my own mind, nor did I inquire into the motives of the minister.  I was not pleased; but I said nothing.  As if Mr Fairman read my very thoughts, he addressed me on the subject almost before the door of the last cottage was closed upon us.

“Bigoted and narrow-minded, are the terms, Mr Stukely, by which the extremely liberal would characterize the line of conduct which I am compelled by duty to pursue.  I cannot be frightened by harsh terms.  I am the pastor of these people, and must decide and act for them.  I am their shepherd, and must be faithful.  Poor and ignorant, and unripe in judgment, and easily deceived by the shows and counterfeits of truth as the ignorant are, is it for me to hand them over to perplexity and risk?  They are simple believers, and are contented.  They worship God, and are at peace.  They know their lot, and do not murmur at it.  Is it right that they should be disturbed with the religious differences and theological subtleties which have already divided into innumerable sects the universal family of Christians whom God made one?  Is it fair or merciful to whisper into their ears the plausible reasons of dissatisfaction,