only went into the room for the most necessary purposes.  Once I saw Phillis through the open door; her pretty golden hair had been cut off long before; her head was covered with wet cloths, and she was moving it backwards and forwards on the pillow, with weary, never-ending motion, her poor eyes shut, trying in the old accustomed way to croon out a hymn tune, but perpetually breaking it up into moans of pain.  Her mother sate by her, tearless, changing the cloths upon her head with patient solicitude.  I did not see the minister at first, but there he was in a dark corner, down upon his knees, his hands clasped together in passionate prayer.  Then the door shut, and I saw no more.  One day he was wanted; and I had to summon him.  Brother Robinson and another minister, hearing of his ‘trial’, had come to see him.  I told him this upon the stair-landing in a whisper.  He was strangely troubled.

’They will want me to lay bare my heart.  I cannot do it.  Paul, stay with me.  They mean well; but as for spiritual help at such a time—­it is God only, God only, who can give it.

So I went in with him.  They were two ministers from the neighbourhood; both older than Ebenezer Holman; but evidently inferior to him in education and worldly position.  I thought they looked at me as if I were an intruder, but remembering the minister’s words I held my ground, and took up one of poor Phillis’s books (of which I could not read a word) to have an ostensible occupation.  Presently I was asked to ’engage in prayer’, and we all knelt down; Brother Robinson ‘leading’, and quoting largely as I remember from the Book of Job.  He seemed to take for his text, if texts are ever taken for prayers,

’Behold thou hast instructed many; but now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest, it toucheth thee and thou art troubled.’  When we others rose up, the minister continued for some minutes on his knees.  Then he too got up, and stood facing us, for a moment, before we all sate down in conclave.  After a pause Robinson began,—­

’We grieve for you, Brother Holman, for your trouble is great.  But we would fain have you remember you are as a light set on a hill; and the congregations are looking at you with watchful eyes.  We have been talking as we came along on the two duties required of you in this strait; Brother Hodgson and me.  And we have resolved to exhort you on these two points.  First, God has given you the opportunity of showing forth an example of resignation.’  Poor Mr Holman visibly winced at this word.  I could fancy how he had tossed aside such brotherly preachings in his happier moments; but now his whole system was unstrung, and ‘resignation’ seemed a term which presupposed that the dreaded misery of losing Phillis was inevitable.  But good stupid Mr Robinson went on.  ’We hear on all sides that there are scarce any hopes of your child’s recovery; and it may be well to bring you to mind of Abraham; and how he was willing to kill his only child when the Lord commanded.  Take example by him, Brother Holman.  Let us hear you say, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!"’