The Hallam Succession

ells of life tha

y God's g

astened sure a

his hig

ve embracing a

ll-fathe

eal on trivial t

nsecrat

t riding, and they did not quarrel. On the contrary, Eltham was so conciliating, so patient, and so con

here's more 'an one son i' a family thou may take my word for it i

horn instead o' maki

th

ll be more ready to settle down to what i

ll cost thee nothing. Thou is giving thy younger s

very experiment comes o

n next happen. Will ta

on Th

ll we see what we shall see. If I want to say what I thin

s yet. See, if we bea

e going through t

enough find c

nd unbroken, the black trunks of the trees among it looking like pillars of ebony in the ivory-paved courts of a temple. Up in the sky winter was passin

s of Christmas carols made a distinct sound in the silent park, for the birds were all quiet and preoccupied, and flitted about the hawthorns with anxious little ways that

llis. I shall never forgive myself

rn our houses and churches. Unless we provide a good substitute there is an odor of cruel sacrifice about our festal decor

black eyes they watch

w until all of them ha

d also been one from Antony, beginning "Honored Sir," and ending with the "affectionate duty" of Antony Hallam; and, though the squire

hristmas boughs. The little tea-pot was in a bower of holly leaves, and held a pos

Martha? You have been steali

f her window, which had been scattered over with crumbs; where, busily picking them up, were

re going to t' chapel together. Ben's getten himsen a new su

a happy Chris

es more reason to keep

ll

your daughter was with you. Now she is married and gone far away.

r, then mother; then it was a brother or a sister, or a child

en come to the

ebbe w

te got over

helped h

get a goo

t, it's t' right place to draw t' line, you may depend upon it. Tak' a bit o' Christ

ving gifts to the poor, and the blessing of many "ready to perish" was upon him. He thanked Phyllis and Elizabeth for the Christmas offerings sent to his chapel; and told them of a special se

d almost handsome, as he gave them at parting "God

d ask him to din

will. I should

nd overtook him, with his

ht at the hall, and many of your people will be there. They

pleasant to me. My duty will be finished

e cottage garden. Elizabeth involuntarily watched him. "He seems to tread upon air. I

a year. Who but a gentleman could live upon that and look as he d

ozen of them together, the monotony is tiresome. The best of them are only larger specimens of the same type-are rel

the same kind of 'monotony.' People who were not Nazarenes 'took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.' But if this is a fau

ir c

ness and trimness, is all very distinctive and proper; but I refer quite as much to that peculiar self

llis, and I think we h

akes of snow are

nd holly. Branches of mistletoe hung above the doors and the hearth-stone; and all the rooms were equally bright. The servants tripped about in their best clothes, the men with bits of hawthorn berries and box on their breast, the wome

and fine. Christmas comes but once a year. And don't keep dinner waiting; mind that now! T

th, father; he wi

your ways and get your best frocks

t but charming touch of puritanism. There was a white japonica in her hair, and a flame-colored one at her throat, and these were her only ornaments. Elizabeth wore a plain robe of dark blue velvet, cut, as was the fashion

. But-his eyes dwelt with delight upon Phyllis. "Eh!" he said, "but thou art a bonny lass! T

chair he loved, sat smoking his long pipe. Mr. North, with a face full of the sweetest serenity and pleasure, sat opposite, his thin white hands touching each oth

ing people happy a

d day to me. I had twel

very happy. I don't oft

aid the rector, "that you do v

s not m

ery important p

t. It is. You

d y

ied. To save souls. There are others whose work it is to ser

the personal and social

preacher. 'Out of breath pursuing souls,' was said of John Wesley and his pretorian band of helpers. I

the rector,

hat. John Dawson and Ja

ders in Hallam and West

es

influence in every way for such of the flock as are under their charge. John Dawson has twenty-two men and Jacob Hargraves nineteen men under their care. Hannah Sarum has a very large class. No one pastor could do as regards meat and money matters what these three can do. Besides, the wealthy, the educated, and the prosperous cannot so perfectly enter into the joys a

ffice, then. It is a wonderful

ves-brothers and sisters;" and, with a smile, he stretched out his hand to

ng like it in the

souls. The deacons were the pastors of the infant churches. I preach seven times a week. I walk to all the places I preach a

amiliar with the people's needs; you would only have to preac

Methodist pastor is a solecism; Methodism is a moving evangelism.

ossible adjunct to aid him. The advantages of a reputation for piety, wis

athy. It is enough for salvation. The banner of the Methodist preacher is that mi

d continued, "But I judge no man. There must be pa

In the midst of it the squire and Elizabeth entered, and the conversation turned upon Christmas observances. So, it fell out naturally enough that Phyllis should speak of her southern home, and describe the long rows of white cabins among the live oaks, and the kind-hearted dusky dwe

Massa Jesu

s

le thing lay

dig him, de be

s

le thing lay

t my soul

s

s! My soul

he time and tun

deep, de w

here to

rise! De

here to

r L

ere to h

yes were full of tears, and the rector hid his face in his hands.

em songs afore, Phyllis? I

been written

e it up

sprung from their sorro

eart was the

r. North. They belonged to the Christmas waits, and if he was going back to

followed him to the door, and watched the little crowd take their way through the white park. The snow had qui

light glinted in their white robes and loosened hair! How sweetly their low voices and rippling laughter broke the drowsy silence of the large, handsome room! Suddenly the great clock in the tower struck twelve. They counted off the strokes on their white fingers, looking into each other's faces with a bright ex

e waits,

k, filling the air as they came with music, till all the hills and

t was born

hem that

s sang in

elsis g

fter a greeting from the rector and the squire, they turned happi

u clear and h

Babe that l

e lily-ban

r against her breast, and smiled down at the happy tears. Blessed are they who have

and there was besides one large party which included all the families within a few miles of Hallam that had any acquaintanc

pen the ball with you. He wil

appoint him; but,

the step and figur

ve both conscientious and wom

I suppose; but you must admit, Phyllis, that very

waltz. All ancient dances were symbolical, and meant something. Every motion was a thought, every attitude a sentiment. If the

such unpleasant things. We do not wan

e in spinning round like a teetotum in

not waltz; I

ey but slouching mathematical dawdlin

do something to

ass the time,' but to 'redeem' it. I think dancing a

'unwoman

er any other circumstances. And then just look at dancers! How heated, flushed, damp, and untidy they look after the exercise! Did you ever watch a lot of men a

is, every way. You looked so cool and sweet and calm in the midst of the confusion and heat. I declare every one was glad to sit down be

dwelt under her uncle's roof it had seemed generally the wisest and kindest thing to worship with his family. It involved nothing that hurt her conscience, and it prevented many disputes which would probably have begun in some

ow, and one which I never saw in America; I should like you to leave me at the chapel," he answered: "To be sure,

place! No organ, no dim religious light, no vergers, or beadles, or robed choristers, or priest in sacred vestments. The winter light fell pale and cold through the plain windows on bare white-washed walls, on a raised wooden pulpit, and on pews unpainted and uncushioned. Some of the congregation were very old;

n you stand up before

by two young farmers, lifted-up a

this is the seventy-first time that you will renew your cove

hes nivver failed me, and he has nivver turned t' cold shoulder to me; ay, and he hes stuck up to his promises, when I was none ready to keep mine. There's many good masters, but he is t'

enter into covenant with to-day-a holy solemn covenant, which you shall kneel down

its awful solemnity. Slowly the grand abnegation, the solemn engagement, was formed; every sentence recited without hast

, closer than hands and feet. He besets you before and behind. He lays his hand upon you. Therefore let a

ained standing, until every face was lifted. Then the silen

y that fixe

with the administration

" said the squire to her, as the

ry happy

e a varry singular thing that thou should take such an obligation on thee. He

estants should be as strict regardi

better to live wi'. I like religion in a woman, it's a varry reliable thing. I wish Antony he

ou see-I love

's too young! When did ta begi

nd I loved each other. I don't know when

lking about? S

e. You remember the old Eng

ve, 'tis lo

the world

re varry different things. If ta comes o real life, it's money, and

him. Phyllis was willing to go. She had had a charming visit, but she had many duties and friends on the other side, and her heart, also, was there. As for danger or discomfo

even to his own heart. He thought he would prefer to explain matters to him in person. So, one morning, as they were together, he said "Look 'ee h

ncident, and he traced with pleas

going to leave

ay a thing. His bald statement made Richard look curiously at him. He never for a

It's no laughing matter. I

e. The facts were stated in a few sentences, without comment

hat does

have been, uncle. I cannot

t hev a

My father was a brave soldier; my grandfather was a missionary, whose praise is in all our churches.

Elizabeth. Succession must go

ontaine. Have I not the right to expect that

t let thee give up thy name, hers may well be due to home and lands that hold her by a tenure o' a thousand years. B

do not be a

it's also, 'I'll tak' my own way', wi' both Anton

kfast parlor. Phyllis, who was often inclined to a dreamy thoughtfulness, was so inclined at that hour, and she was answering Elizabeth's remarks, far more curious of some mental vision th

om her hand, and laid it on the tabl

, Ric

y and the Ha

it best to le

sure I would ref

Rich

it Antony; and he wishes me to b

t take Antony's place. You could not

le proudly, "he must give me u

ly to give way. Richard held her to her promise, and pleaded for its fulfillment. He wanted no fortune. He was quite content that her fortune should go to free Hallam. But he did not see that her life

y in the premises, and her lover could not move her from this position. And, as the unhappy can seldom persuade themselves that "sufficie

hman, had once said to her-"Nine impulses oot o' ten, Sister Phyllis, come fra the de'il. Just put an impulse through its catechism before ye go the gate it sends ye." So she sat down to think. "What right have I to i

her room. Her eyes were red with weeping, but she said, "Father and Richard ha

is it to be a disappo

zab

as regards Hallam. I can wait and love on.

rd will never be free while there rema

some other person shall make him lose h

t; and time gives with both hands to the patie

etrothal has begun to creep toward me, Phyllis. I am in its chill and glo

dear. Get all the suns

to the village to

you are to s

There must be times and seasons, Elizabeth; it is the part of love and wisdom never to force them. Besides, unc

t isn't loving isn't cheerful. Ben and me hev been so much to each other, that it comes a bit hard to hev to step

er forget what y

rayed night and day. She brought the magistrate

best, you would have got the order. God looks afar off-for the year

ow, I

of his happiness and deliverance. Mothers must have a

till my heart is fair empty without him. I wanted him a little bit to mysen. She's a good gi

tter cup, dri

fear. I'm nobbut standing as a bairn does wi' a cup o' medicine; and when

bye' Martha; I don't wan

o goodness thou isn't goi

ave Hallam

; and I'll toast thee a Yorkshire cake, and we'll eat a mouthful tog

arth-stone, and set out her humble service. And she quite put away her o

little cottage on your way to the kingdom. And if I didn't mak' you welcome, and say a hearty, loving 'Godspeed' to you, I'd happen miss a bit o'

rtha. I think we shall know e

' I don't doubt. Farewell, sister!" and she took the s

re Mr. North lodged and asked to see him. He came down to her with a smile; but when she said, "It is a good-bye, Mr. North

ith you. Pardon me, I was n

A great pity was in her heart. She was silent and constrained,

'good-bye,' Miss Fontaine. I

ings in life, Mr. North

that

t is

ords would come. She was full of sorrow for the noble, suffering, humble heart. She longed to say a kind word, and yet felt that it would be unkind; and she stood still watching him as he went farther and farther a

, vanishing figure, with the hand lifted heavenward, that she

s which are the main reliance of life. It seemed to Phyllis that, for the first time, she was homesick. The low, white, rambling wooden house, spreading itself under moss-covered trees, began to grow very fair in her me

fair land she was leaving with so little regret, "When the time comes for me t