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The Minister in a Maze
Thepeoplelookforgreatthingsfromyou,apprehendingthatanotheryearmaycomeaboutandfindtheirpastorgone."
"Yes,toanotherworld,"repliedtheministerwithpiousresignation."Heavengrantitbeabetterone;for,ingoodsooth,Ihardlythinktotarrywithmyflockthroughtheflittingseasonsofanotheryear!Buttouchingyourmedicine,kindsir,inmypresentframeofbodyIneeditnot."
"Ijoytohearit,"answeredthephysician."Itmaybethatmyremedies,solongadministeredinvain,beginnowtotakedueeffect.HappymanwereI,andwelldeservingofNewEngland’sgratitude,couldIachievethiscure!"
"Ithankyoufrommyheart,mostwatchfulfriend,"saidtheReverendMr.Dimmesdalewithasolemnsmile."Ithankyou,andcanbutrequiteyourgooddeedswithmyprayers."
"Agoodman’sprayersaregoldenrecompense!"rejoinedoldRogerChillingworth,ashetookhisleave."Yea,theyarethecurrentgoldcoinoftheNewJerusalem,withtheKing’sownmintmarkonthem!"
Leftalone,theministersummonedaservantofthehouse,andrequestedfood,which,beingsetbeforehim,heatewithravenousappetite.ThenflingingthealreadywrittenpagesoftheElectionSermonintothefire,heforthwithbegananother,whichhewrotewithsuchanimpulsiveflowofthoughtandemotion,thathefanciedhimselfinspired;andonlywonderedthatHeavenshouldseefittotransmitthegrandandsolemnmusicofitsoraclesthroughsofoulanorganpipeashe
