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           "Hope!" 

           "Yes.Plentifulhope—forallthisdestruction!" 

           Ibegantoexplainmyviewofourposition. Helistenedatfirst,butasIwentontheinterestdawninginhiseyesgaveplacetotheirformerstare,andhisregardwanderedfromme. 

           "Thismustbethebeginningoftheend,"hesaid,interruptingme. "Theend! ThegreatandterribledayoftheLord! Whenmenshallcalluponthemountainsandtherockstofalluponthemandhidethem—hidethemfromthefaceofHimthatsittethuponthethrone!" 

           Ibegantounderstandtheposition. Iceasedmylabouredreasoning,struggledtomyfeet,and,standingoverhim,laidmyhandonhisshoulder. 

           "Beaman!"saidI. "Youarescaredoutofyourwits! Whatgoodisreligionifitcollapsesundercalamity? Thinkofwhatearthquakesandfloods,warsandvolcanoes,havedonebeforetomen! DidyouthinkGodhadexemptedWeybridge? Heisnotaninsuranceagent." 

           Foratimehesatinblanksilence. 

           "Buthowcanweescape?"heasked,suddenly. "Theyareinvulnerable,theyarepitiless." 

           "Neithertheonenor,perhaps,theother,"Ianswered. "Andthemightiertheyarethemoresaneandwaryshouldwebe. Oneofthemwaskilledyondernotthreehoursago." 

           "Killed!"hesaid,staringabouthim. "HowcanGod’sministersbekilled?"