d above their heads on the top of
a huge cask or table, so it appeared. He was throwing out his arms in
every direction. Now pressing his hands together, now lifting them
towards heaven in the attitude of prayer. Most of his auditors seemed
to be listening to him with rapt attention. As they drew nearer, Jack,
on looking at the countenance of the speaker, was convinced that it was
no other than the Independent preacher whom he had met in company with
Master Pearson. From the words which fell from his mouth it was
difficult to ascertain what principles he was inculcating. He was
speaking at the moment of some wonderful dream with which he had been
favoured by Heaven. He was warning the people of the dreadful
calamities which he knew, in consequence of what he had seen in his
vision, were about to fall upon the land. He seemed, however, to be
dealing out tolerably even-handed justice towards all other
denominations. He had nothing in its favour to say of Protestant
Episcopacy, and as little of Romanism. He was hurling abuse at
Presbyterianism, and warning the Independents that their day of grace
had passed, that they were no longer holding up a standard in Israel,
while he condemned the Baptists for maintaining unscriptural doctrines.

"Woe! woe! woe!" he shouted, "woe to this country! woe to this people!
Listen, ye stiff-necked and stubborn generation! A new revelation is
about to be vouchsafed to you; will you receive it, or will you refuse
it? Those who are ready to receive it will hold up their hands, and
shout with joy at the thoughts of their emancipation from the slavery
under which ye have hitherto groaned in the bonds of bitterness and the
darkness of despair! Those who have made up their minds not to receive
it must take their departure from among us, and go back to the place
whence they came, there to await till summoned to go down into the pit
full of fire and brimstone, already boiling up to welcome them!"

No one moved from among the crowd, the greater number of whom held up
their hands, as invited by the speaker, and gave way to a shrill cry,
which swelled by degrees into a loud ringing shout, which was repeated
again and again.

Jack, to satisfy himself, asked Pearson if he knew the name of the
speaker.

"I know his name, Master Deane," answered his companion: "you must ask
the bystanders if they know it. They will probably tell you that it's
the Reverend Simon Stirthesoul, one of the new