dily oppose thy union with his daughter, and then ask thee
which he was in duty bound to obey--the settled purpose of his friend,
as demonstrated by his daily life and conversation, or a chance word
of sickness, perhaps, of delirium? That Edmund Dunning did at first,
even till his death-bed, deny thee his daughter, thou dost admit; and
this is a weighty argument, hard to be overcome by a dying whisper.
The reason thereof will satisfy most, for is it not written, 'Be ye
not unequally yoked with unbelievers?' Seest thou not that it is only
thyself who dost stand in the way of thy happiness? Oh! that the light
of Divine truth might penetrate thy mind, and make thee, in all
respects, worthy of the lovely lady."

"Eveline Dunning would despise me, were I, even for the sake of her
hand, to renounce the faith of my fathers."

"Not for the sake of her hand, (that would be only a collateral
blessing,) but for other and worthier motives. Very precious and
encouraging is the promise in the Scripture, 'Seek ye first the
kingdom of heaven, and all other things shall be added unto you,'
Doubt it not, and consider also how sweet is the tie that doth bind
consenting hearts with one true faith--a faith consoling
exceedingly--a faith to lift high above the tempests of adversity--to
heal the wounds of earth, and to be crowned with glory and immortality
in heaven."

"Were I even to join the congregation, which, in my present way of
thinking, I might not do without guilt, Master Spikeman would,
doubtless, find means to make vain my suit."

"Judge him not so harshly. What motive can he have, other than to
perform his duty to the living and to the dead? Think, rather, that
Providence hath, in its own wonderful way, determined to lead thee by
the silken cord of thy affections unto grace. Be not disobedient unto
the heavenly impulse."

"I perceive that I have failed in my prayer, and can have no hope of
your intercession, honored sir," said Arundel, rising, "and will
therefore take my sorrowful leave."

"It pains me," said Winthrop, also rising, "that, under present
circumstances, I am compelled to deny it. I may not do aught to
contravene a resolution of the deceased Edmund Dunning, which seems to
have been inspired by Heaven; but, the cause of that resolution being
removed, no one will be happier to promote your purpose. I say this
the more cheerfully, because thy happiness is within reach, to be
wisely seized or unwisely refused."