Under the Storm by Charlotte Mary Yonge
page 30 of 247 (12%)
page 30 of 247 (12%)
|
Someone told him that the keys of the church were brought, but he heeded not the interruption, except to thunder forth "What care I for your steeple house! The Church of God is in the souls of the faithful. Is it not written 'The kingdom of heaven is within you?' What, can ye not worship save between four walls?" And then he went on with the utmost fervour and vehemence, calling on all around to set themselves free from the chains that held them and to strive even to the death. He meant all he said. He really believed he was teaching the only way of righteousness, and so his words had a force that went home to people's hearts as earnestness always does, and Jephthah, with tears in his eyes, began begging and praying his father to let him go and fight for the good Cause. "Aye, aye," said Kenton, "against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and welcome, my son." "Then I'll go and enlist under Captain Venn," cried Jeph. "Not so fast, my lad. What I gave you leave for was to fight with the devil." "You said the good Cause!" "And can you tell me which be the good Cause?" "Why, this here, of course. Did not you hear the Captain's good words, and see his long sword, and didn't they give five marks for |
|