s distinct from a direct and clearly defined agency,
both as to time and force, of the Spirit, had been entertained, he would
have lost half of the elements by which his arguments gained logical
sequence. But, laboring his way from stake to stake of the old dogmas of
the Westminster divines, he fastened to them stoutly, and swept round
from each as a centre a great scathing circle of deductions, that beat
wofully upon the heads of unbelievers. And if a preacher attack only
unbelievers, he has the world with him, now as then; it is only he who
has the bad taste to meddle with the caprices of believers who gets the
raps and the orders of dismissal.

Thus it happened that good Mr. Johns came to win the good-will of all
the parish of Ashfield, while he challenged their respect by his
uniform gravity. It is even possible that a consciousness of a certain
stateliness and stiffness of manner became in some measure a source of
pride to him, and that he enjoyed, in his subdued way, the disposition
of the lads of the town to give him a wide pass, instead of brushing
brusquely against him, as if he were some other than the parson.

In those days he wrote to his sister Eliza,--

"We are fairly settled in a pleasant home upon the main street.
The meeting-house, which you will remember, is near by; and I
have, by the blessing of God, a full attendance every Lord's
day. They listen to my poor sermons with commendable
earnestness; and I trust they may prove to them 'a savor of
life unto life.' We also find the people of the town neighborly
and kind. Squire Elderkin has proved particularly so, and is a
very energetic man in all matters relating to the parish. I
fear greatly, however, that he still lacks the intimate favor
of God, and has not humbled himself to entire submission. Yet
he is constant in his observance of nearly all the outward
forms of devotion and of worship; and we hear of his charities
in every house we enter. Strange mystery of Providence, that he
should not long since have been broken down by grace, and
become in _all_ things a devout follower of the Master! I hope
yet to see him brought a humble suppliant into the fold. His
wife is a most excellent person, lowly in her faith, and
zealous of good works. The same may also be said of their
worthy maiden sister, Miss Joanna Meacham, who is, of a truth,
a matron in Israe