behind his back. In his presence he dwelt upon the holy importance of
his calling; to others he dilated upon the importance of securing
for the church a young man of so much talent, yet of so much devotion:
qualities not always united, it would seem, among the churchlings
of modern times.

Alfred Stevens seemed to promise great honor to his teacher. That
cunning which is the wisdom of the worldling, and which he possessed
in a very surprising degree, enabled him to adopt a course of
conduct, look, and remark, which amply satisfied the exactions of
the scrupulous, and secured the unhesitating confidence of those
who were of a more yielding nature. He soon caught the phraseology
of his companion, and avoiding his intensity, was less likely to
offend his hearers. His manner was better subdued to the social
tone of ordinary life, his voice lacked the sharp twang of the
backwoods man; and, unlike John Cross, he was able to modulate it
to those undertones, which, as we have before intimated, are so
agreeable from the lips of young lovers and fashionable preachers.
At all events, John Cross himself, was something more than satisfied
with his pupil, and took considerable pains to show him off. He was
a sort of living and speaking monument of the good man's religious
prowess.

It does not need that we should follow the two into all the abodes
which they were compelled to visit. The reader would scarcely
conceal his yawns though Stevens did. Enough, that a very unctuous
business was made of it that morning. Many an old lady was refreshed
with the spiritual beverage bestowed in sufficient quantity to
last for another quarter; while many a young one rejoiced in the
countenance of so promising a shepherd as appeared under the name