"Ah, Brother Stevens, worldly goods and worldly wealth are no more
needed in Charlemont, than they are necessary to the service of the
blessed Redeemer. With an empty scrip is thy service blest;--God
sees the pure heart through the threadbare garment. I have friends
in Charlemont who will be too happy to receive thee in the name of
the Lord, without money and without price."

The pride of Stevens, which had not shrunk from hypocrisy and
falsehood, yet recoiled at a suggestion which involved the idea of
his pecuniary dependence upon strangers, and he replied accordingly;
though he still disguised his objections under the precious appearance
of a becoming moral scruple.

"It will not become me, Mr. Cross, to burden the brethren of the
church for that hospitality which is only due to brethren."

"But thou art in the way of grace--the light is shining upon thee--the
door is open, and already the voice of the Bridegroom is calling
from within. Thou wilt become a burning and a shining light--and
the brethren of the church will rejoice to hail thee among its
chosen. Shall they hold back their hand when thou art even on the
threshold?"

"But, Mr. Cross--"

"Call me not Mr., I pray thee. Call me plain John Cross, if it please
thee not yet to apply to me that sweeter term of loving kindness
which the flock of God are happy to use in speech one to another.
If thou wilt call me Brother Cross, my heart shall acknowledge the
bonds between us, and my tongue shall make answer to thine, in like