knows nothing of the characters or conduct of individuals here."

"Strangers generally have quick ears, and there are always plenty of
news-venders to fill them. He's been with the Harrisons, and we all
know what they are."

"To whom did he refer?" was asked.

"He referred to me."

"To you?"

"Certainly he did. And I don't like it at all. That's not the way to
preach the gospel. This running off with one side of a story, and,
taking all for granted, holding a man up to public odium, is not, as
I conceive, following in the footsteps of our Great Master."

"I'm sorry you should have taken up such an impression," was replied
to this. "I cannot believe that Mr. C--really intended to hold you
up to public odium. He couldn't have meant to designate you."

"He must have meant me. Don't I know?"

So another and another objection was made to Mr. C--on the same
ground; and before the week was out, it was pretty widely known that
the new preacher had indulged in reprehensible personalities. Some
said this was an error in the preacher; others, that he was highly
blamable; while others affirmed that there must be some mistake
about the matter.