primitive church--the Church of the Disciples. One of his lessons
returns to me. He seems to be standing where you are. I hear his voice.
I see his countenance. I remember his words: 'The brethren while of one
faith, because the creed was too simple for division, were of two
classes, as they now are and will always be'--ay, Sergius, as they will
always be!--'But,' he said, 'it is worthy remembrance, my dear child,
unlike the present habit, the rich held their riches with the
understanding that the brethren all had shares in them. The owner was
more than owner; he was a trustee charged with the safe-keeping of his
property, and with farming it to the best advantage, that he might be in
condition to help the greatest number of the Christian brotherhood
according to their necessities.' I wondered greatly at the time, but not
now. The delight I have today confirms the Father; for it is not in my
palace and garden, nor in my gold, but in the power I derive from them
to give respite from the grind of poverty to so many less fortunate than
myself. 'The divine order was not to desist from getting wealth'--thus
the Father continued--'for Christ knew there were who, labor as they
might, could not accumulate or retain; circumstances would be against
them, or the genius might be wanting. Poor without fault, were they to
suffer, and curse God with the curse of the sick, the cold, the naked,
the hungry? Oh, no! Christ was the representative of the Infinitely
Merciful. Under his dispensation they were to be partners of the more
favored.' Who can tell, who can begin to measure the reward there is to
me in the laughter of children at play under the trees by the brooks,
and in the cheer and smiles of women whom I have been able to draw from
the unvarying routine of toil like theirs?"

There was a ship with full spread sail speeding along so close in shore
Sergius could have thrown a stone on its deck. He affected to be deeply
interested in it. The ruse did not avail him.