Алая буква
The Minister in a Maze
Herehehadstudiedandwritten;heregonethroughfastandvigil,andcomeforthhalfalive;herestriventopray;hereborneahundredthousandagonies!TherewastheBible,initsricholdHebrew,withMosesandtheProphetsspeakingtohim,andGod’svoicethroughall.
Thereonthetable,withtheinkypenbesideit,wasanunfinishedsermon,withasentencebrokeninthemidst,wherehisthoughtshadceasedtogushoutuponthepagetwodaysbefore.Heknewthatitwashimself,thethinandwhite-cheekedminister,whohaddoneandsufferedthesethings,andwrittenthusfarintotheElectionSermon!Butheseemedtostandapart,andeyethisformerselfwithscornfulpitying,buthalf-enviouscuriosity.Thatselfwasgone.Anothermanhadreturnedoutoftheforest—awiserone—withaknowledgeofhiddenmysterieswhichthesimplicityoftheformernevercouldhavereached.Abitterkindofknowledgethat!
Whileoccupiedwiththesereflections,aknockcameatthedoorofthestudy,andtheministersaid,"Comein!"—notwhollydevoidofanideathathemightbeholdanevilspirit.Andsohedid!ItwasoldRogerChillingworththatentered.Theministerstoodwhiteandspeechless,withonehandontheHebrewScriptures,andtheotherspreaduponhisbreast.
"Welcomehome,reverendsir,"saidthephysician"Andhowfoundyouthatgodlyman,theApostleEliot?Butmethinks,dearsir,youlookpale,asifthetravelthroughthewildernesshadbeentoosoreforyou.
