e from his lips in terrified appeal, he knew that he did not wish to
be helped. He rose to his feet in sullen dissatisfaction.

The happy alertness which he had enjoyed at his waking had disappeared;
the self-torment of the last few minutes had tired him; disturbed and
vexed in mind, he began to dress. While moving about in the sunlight
his thoughts gradually became more cheerful, and by the time he left his
room he had regained his good spirits.

After a short stroll he went into his study and read the daily paper.
He then took up a book till dinner-time. He dined, and afterwards forgot
himself in a story of African travels. It was only the discomfort of the
intense heat which at length reminded him that, though it was now past
two o'clock, he had received no letter from Mrs. Hooper. But he was
resolved not to think about her, for thoughts of her, he knew, would
lead to fears concerning the future, which would in turn force him to
decide upon a course of action. If he determined to commit the sin, his
guilt would thereby be increased, and he would not pledge himself to
refrain from it. "She couldn't write last night with the Deacon at her
elbow all the time," he decided, and began to read again. Darkness had
fallen before he remembered that he owed an immediate answer to the
letter from Chicago. After a little consideration, he sat down and wrote
as follows:

"Dear Brothers in Christ,

"Your letter has just reached me. Needless to say it has
touched me deeply. You call me to a wider ministry and more
arduous duties. The very munificence of the remuneration
which you offer leads me to doubt my own fitness for so high
a post. You must bear with me a little, and grant me a few
days for reflection. The 'call,' as you know, must be
answered from within, from the depths of my soul, before I
can be certain that it comes from Above, and this Divine
assurance has not yet been vouchsafed to me.

"I was born and brought up here in Missouri, where I am now
labouring, not without--to Jesus be the praise!--some
small measure of success. I have many ties here, and many
dear friends and fellow-workers in Christ's vineyard from
whom I could not part without great pain. But I will
prayerfully consider your request. I shall seek for guidance
where alone it is to be found, at the foot of the Great
White Throne, and within a week or so at most I