Запретный лес
XXI. The Going of the Minister
"Oh,isitnotpitiful,"hecried,"inthisshortandperishingworld,withthePityawningbytheroadsideandthefiresofHellbankedbeneathus--isitnotpitifulandlamentablethatthesoulofmanshouldhaveotherthoughtsthanitshard-wonsalvation?Whatsignifyprofanelearningandthedelightsoftheeyeandthecomfortsofthebody,andevengoodintentstowardyourfellows,ifatthehinderendtheJudgeofallwillaskbuttheonequestion--HaveyouyourtitleinChrist?"
Inespecial,hedealtscornfullywiththepleaofcharity.Therecouldbenocharitytowardssin.Theaccursedthingmustbedestroyedwhereverfound,andwereitthewifeofaman’sbosomorthesonofthesamemotherthesinnermustbestruckdown.
Thecongregationlistenedasifunderaspell.SointentweretheythatneitherthepeopleontheirstoolsnortheModeratorinhischairnorthepreacherinthepulpitnoticedthatinthedimback-endofthekirkthedoorhadopenedandsomeonehadentered.
ButitwasinthecloseofhisdiscoursethatthegalecameuponMr.Proudfoot’sspirit.Nowhewasathisapplication.ThehistoryofIsraelwassearchedtoshowhowJehovahthemercifulwasyetmercilesstowardserror.Agagwashewninpieces--thepriestsandworshippersofBaalwereslaintoaman--thegroveswerecutdownandploughedupandsownwithsalt....Soraptwerepreacherandpeoplethattheydidnotobservethatanew-comerwasamongthemmovingquietlyupthekirk....
