"Well I don't know, John. I go with him. I like him better for his letter. I cannot gainsay it. And yet it seems to me that it puts the ministers in a rather hard position." "Yes?" said I interrogatively. "Yes," said Jennie. "You know perfectly well John that our church here wouldn't call a man that isn't settled somewhere. The very fact that he was out of a parish,, would be almost conclusive against him. And they won't call a man without trying him. Must Maurice Mapleson live and die in that little out of the way corner? And if he is ever going to get out of it, how is it to come about? How does a minister have any chance for a change if he takes such a ground as that? It's high and noble John, and I honor him for it; but I am afraid it isn't practicable." "Little woman," said I, "whatever is truly high and noble is practicable, and you would be the first to tell me so another time. Don't let our wanting Maurice Mapleson here blind us to that." Jennie smiled her assent. "Well John," said she, "what you are going to do about it?" "Do?" said I. "Nothing. There is nothing to be done, except to read Mr. Mapleson's letter to the committee, to-morrow night at our first meeting. And I am curious to see what they'll say to it." CHAPTER XIV. The Supply Committee hold their first formal Meeting. PLACE: James Wheaton's library.--Hour: seven and a half o'clock in the evening.--Present: James Wheaton, Thomas Gear, James Goodsole, Solomon Hardcap, and John Laicus.--John Laicus in the chair. Laicus.: --Gentlemen the first business in order is to appoint a secretary. Deacon Goodsole.: --Oh, you can keep the minutes. We don't want much of a record. Laicus.: --Very good, if that is agreed to. My minutes will be very simple. James Wheaton.: --That's all right. What do you hear from Mr. Mapleson? Anything? Laicus.: --Yes I have his letter in my pocket. James Wheaton.: --When will he come? Laicus.: --He declines to come. James Wheaton,: [(astonished).] --Declines to come. Why a church mouse would starve on the pittance they pay him at Koniwasset Corners. What's his reason? Laicus.: --His letter is a rather singular and striking one, gentlemen. Perhaps I had better read it. Which he thereupon proceeds to do, slowly and distinctly, till he reaches the closing paragraphs, which he omits as being of a purely personal character. James Wheaton.: --That fellow's got stuff in him and no mistake. By Jove I believe if I was running this church I would take him on trust. Solomon Hardcap.: --I think it a very presumptuous letter. The idea. What does he expect? Does he think we're goin' to take a preacher without ever havin' heard him preach? Deacon Goodsole.: --We have heard him preach, Mr. Hardcap. He preached here two Sundays last summer. Don't you recollect? Solomon Hardcap.: --Yes. I remember. But I didn't take no notice of his sermons; he wan't preachin' as a candidate. Mr. Gear.: