The vote of the meeting was conveyed to Mr. Malcolm.  He expressed his thanks for the liberal offer, but again declined remaining.  Another church-meeting was called, and a thousand dollars unhesitatingly named as the minister’s salary, if he would stay.  Many doubled their subscriptions, and said that, if necessary, they would quadruple them.

When Mr. Malcolm determined to leave C—­, he had no parish in view; but he did not think it would be useful for him to remain.  Nor had he any in view when he declined accepting the offer of eight hundred dollars.  But it was different when the offer of a thousand dollars came, for then he held in his hand a call to a neighbouring parish, where the salary was the same.

The committee to wait upon him, and urge him to accept the still better terms offered, was composed of Messrs. Elder, Larkin, and three others among the oldest and most influential members.  He answered their renewed application by handing them the letter he had just received.  It was read aloud.

“If money is any object, Mr. Malcolm,” said Larkin, promptly, “you need not leave us.  Twelve hundred can be as easily made up to you as a thousand.”

The minister was slightly disturbed at this.  He replied in a low, unsteady voice: 

“Money has no influence with me in this matter.  All I ask is a comfortable maintenance for my family.  This, your first offer of eight hundred dollars would have given; but I declined it, with no other place in view, because I thought it best for both you and me that we should separate.  I have tried only to look to the good of the church in my decisions, and I will still endeavour to keep that end before my eyes.”

“Have you accepted the call?” asked Mr. Elder.

“No, I have but just received it!”

“Have you positively determined that you will not remain with us?”

“I should not like to say positively.”

“Very well.  Now, let me say that the desire to have you remain is general, and that the few who have the management of the church affairs, and not the many who make up the congregation, are to blame for previously existing wrongs and errors.  From the many comes a strong desire to have you stay.  They say that your ministrations have been of great spiritual benefit to them, and that if you go away, they will suffer loss.  Under these circumstances, Mr. Malcolm, are you willing to break your present connection?”

“Give me a few hours to reflect,” replied the minister, a good deal affected by this unlooked-for appeal.  “I wish to do right; and in doing it, am ready to cut off the right hand and pluck out the right eye.  As Heaven is my witness, I set before me no earthly reward.  If I do consent to remain, I will not receive more than your first offer of eight hundred dollars, for on that I can live comfortably.”

When the committee again waited on Mr. Malcolm, to receive his answer, it was in the affirmative; but he was decided in his resolution not to receive more than eight hundred dollars.  But the congregation was just as much decided on the other side, and although only two hundred dollars a quarter were paid to their minister by the treasurer, more than fifty dollars flowed in to him during the same period in presents of one useful thing and another, from friends known and unknown.