exhortations have been abundantly blessed."

Mr. Burge shook his head. "A lot of it falls by the wayside," he said
modestly, "but some of it is an eye-opener to them as don't entirely shut
their ears. Only the day before yesterday I 'ad two jemmies and a dark
lantern sent me with a letter saying as 'ow the owner had no further use
for 'em."

The jeweller's eyes glistened with admiration not quite untinged with
envy. "Have you expounded the Word for long?" he inquired.

"Six months," replied the other. "It come to me quite natural--I was on
the penitent bench on the Saturday, and the Wednesday afterwards I
preached as good a sermon as ever I've preached in my life. Brother
Clark said it took 'is breath away."

"And he's a judge too," said the admiring jeweller.

"Now," continued Brother Burge, helping himself plentifully to pickled
walnuts. "Now there ain't standing room in our Bethel when I'm
expounding. People come to hear me from all parts--old and young--rich
and poor--and the Apostles that don't come early 'ave to stand outside
and catch the crumbs I throw 'em through the winders."

"It is enough," sighed Brother Higgs, whose own audience was frequently
content to be on the wrong side of the window, "it is enough to make a
man vain."

"I struggle against it, Brother," said Mr. Burge, passing his cup up for
some more tea. "I fight against it hard, but once the Evil One was