have been more than four. It chanced that a few days before a wandering
preacher of the Independents had put up at our house, and his religious
ministrations had left my father moody and excitable. One night I had
gone to bed as usual, and was sound asleep with my two brothers beside
me, when we were roused and ordered to come downstairs. Huddling on our
clothes we followed him into the kitchen, where my mother was sitting
pale and scared with Ruth upon her knee.

'Gather round me, my children,' he said, in a deep reverent voice, 'that
we may all appear before the throne together. The kingdom of the Lord
is at hand-oh, be ye ready to receive Him! This very night, my loved
ones, ye shall see Him in His splendour, with the angels and the
archangels in their might and their glory. At the third hour shall He
come-that very third hour which is now drawing upon us.'

'Dear Joe,' said my mother, in soothing tones, 'thou art scaring thyself
and the children to no avail. If the Son of Man be indeed coming, what
matters it whether we be abed or afoot?'

'Peace, woman,' he answered sternly; 'has He not said that He will come
like a thief in the night, and that it is for us to await Him?
Join with me, then, in prayerful outpourings that we may he found as
those in bridal array. Let us offer up thanks that He has graciously
vouchsafed to warn us through the words of His servant. Oh, great Lord,
look down upon this small flock and lead it to the sheep fold!
Mix not the little wheat with the great world of chaff. Oh, merciful
Father! look graciously upon my wife, and forgive her the sin of
Erastianism, she being but a woman and little fitted to cast off the
bonds of antichrist wherein she was born. And these too, my little
ones, Micah and Hosea, Ephraim and Ruth, all named after Thy faithful