The day was cold, and Mr. Wade, after becoming thoroughly chilled, concluded to go in, and keep a look-out for the minister from the window near which he usually sat.  Others, from the same cause, followed his example, and the little meeting house was soon filled, and still one after another came dropping in.  The farmer, who turned towards the door each time it opened, was a little surprised to see his guest of the previous night enter, and come slowly along the aisle, looking from side to side as if in search of a vacant seat, very few of which were now left.  Still advancing, he finally passed within the little enclosed altar, and ascending to the pulpit, took off his old gray overcoat and sat down.

By this time Mr. Wade was by his side, and with his hand upon his arm.

“You mustn’t sit here.  Come down, and I’ll show you a seat,” he said in an excited tone.

“Thank you,” returned the man, in a composed tone.  “It is very comfortable here.”

“But you are in the pulpit!  You are in the pulpit, sir!”

“Oh, never mind.  It is very comfortable here.”  And the man remained immovable.

Mr. Wade, feeling much embarrassed, turned away, and went down, intending to get a brother official in the church to assist him in making a forcible ejection of the man from the place he was desecrating.  Immediately upon his doing so, however, the man arose, and standing up at the desk, opened the hymn book.  His voice thrilled to the very finger ends of Brother Wade, as, in a distinct and impressive manner, he gave out the hymn beginning—­

  “Help us to help each other, Lord,
  Each other’s cross to bear;
  Let each his friendly aid afford,
  And feel a brother’s care.”

The congregation arose after the stranger had read the entire hymn, and he then repeated the two first lines for them to sing.  Brother Wade usually started the tune.  He tried it this time, but went off on a long metre tune.  Discovering his mistake at the second word, he balked, and tried it again, but now he stumbled on short metre.  A musical brother here came to his aid, and let off with an air that suited the measure in which the hymn was written.  After the singing, the congregation kneeled, and the minister, for no one now doubted his real character, addressed the Throne of Grace with much fervor and eloquence.  The reading of a chapter from the Bible succeeded to these exercises.  Then there was a deep pause throughout the room in anticipation of the text, which the preacher prepared to announce.

Brother Wade looked pale, and his hands and knees trembled;—­Sister Wade’s face was like crimson, and her heart was beating so loud that she wondered whether the sound was not heard by the sister who sat beside her.  There was a breathless silence.  The dropping of a pin might almost have been heard.  Then the fine, emphatic tones of the preacher filled the crowded room.

“A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another.”