had, on the day before the one set
for his ordination, called aside two of the pillars of the Transylvania
Presbytery, and with characteristic honesty had made known to them his
difficulties. After laboring in vain to remove his doubts, the two men
asked him how far he was willing to receive the Confession. "So far as
I see it to be consistent with the word of God," was the answer, which
they declared to be sufficient. No objection was raised to his answer
when given before the presbytery the next day, and, after making
satisfactory replies to all other questions propounded, he was
ordained.

When Stone had finished his discourse, he called upon Gilcrest to lead
in prayer. With an angry shake of his head, and a frown upon his stern
features, the old man declined. Old Brother Landrum was then asked to
pray. In a voice which shook with emotion, he besought pardon for the
error in the sermon just heard and enlightenment for the mind of the
preacher that he might have a better understanding of the mysteries of
the gospel. When he began further to petition that the Lord would in
his own good time and way manifest himself to the unconverted elect in
the congregation, he was interrupted by David Purviance: "Not to the
elect alone, O Lord," he prayed, "but unto all--all within these walls;
for thou, O God, art no respecter of persons, and salvation is free,
free to all who will accept!"

Notwithstanding the evident disapproval of some of his flock, Stone
continued to preach sermons of a like nature. A few who heard him were
stunned by his boldness and shocked by his ruthless defiance of the
established order of things. Others found his words forcibly
convincing. Still another class, though not exactly understanding his
reasoning, had so great love for the young preacher and so great
confidence in his ability that they were his warm advocates. Of this
blindly trustful number, none were stouter in their adherence than
Mason Rogers.

To Hiram Gilcrest these sermons seemed the undermining, blowing up and
pulverization of the whole structure of sound doctrine. One day, in the
course of a discussion with Mason Rogers, Gilcrest angrily maintained
not only that the church should take action against their minister, but
that his transgressions should be reported at the next meeting of the
synod. Rogers, of course, defended Stone. Hot words ensued on both
sides, and the friendly relations between the two old neighbors were
somewhat s