"On the Bible," replied Lane.

"Indeed!" was answered, with some surprise; "on what part of it?"

"On every part. But more particularly that passage in the New
Testament where the whole of the law and the prophets is condensed
in a single passage, enjoining love to our neighbour as well as
God."

Rowley and his friends looked surprised at this remark.

"Explain yourself," said the former, with a knit brow.

"That is easily done. The precept here given, and it comes from the
highest authority, expressly declares, as I understand it, religion
to consist in acting justly toward all men, as well as in pious acts
towards God. If a man love not his brother whom he hath seen, how
can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

"Does our brother Rowley deny that?" asked the men present.

"If a man's life is any index to his faith, I would say that he
does," replied Mr. Lane.

A deep crimson overspread the face of Mr. Rowley.

"I didn't expect insult when I came here," said he in a trembling
voice.

"Nor have I offered any," replied Mr. Lane.