“Then a public assembly is not necessary for the communication of the gifts of the spirit?” They were silent. “Isn’t it possible that the eagerness after such assemblies may have something to do with a want of confidence in what the Lord says of his kingdom--that it spreads like the hidden leaven-- grows like the buried seed? My own conviction is, that if a man would but bend his energies to _live_, if he would but try to be a true, that is, a godlike man, in all his dealings with his fellows, a genuine neighbour and not a selfish unit, he would open such channels for the flow of the spirit as no amount of even honest and so-called successful preaching could.” “Wha but ane was ever fit to lead sic a life ’s that?” “All might be trying after it. In proportion as our candle burns it will give light. No talking about light will supply the lack of its presence either to the talker or the listeners.” “There’s a heap made o’ the preachin’ o’ the word i’ the buik itsel’,” said Peter with emphasis. “Undoubtedly. But just look at our Lord: he never stopped living amongst his people--hasn’t stopped yet; but he often refused to preach, and personally has given it up altogether now.” “Ay, but ye see he kent what he was duin’.” “And so will every man in proportion as he partakes of his spirit.” “But dinna ye believe there _is_ sic a thing as gettin’ a call to the preachin’?” “I do; but even then a man’s work is of worth only as it supplements his life. A network of spiritual fibres connects the two, makes one of them.” “But surely, sir, them ’at’s o’ the same min’ oucht to meet an’ stir ane anither up? ‘They that feart the Lord spak aften thegither,’ ye ken.” “What should prevent them? Why should not such as delight in each other’s society, meet, and talk, and pray together,--address each the others if they like? There is plenty of opportunity for that, without forsaking the church or calling public meetings. To continue your quotation--‘The Lord hearkened and heard:’ observe, the Lord is not here said to hearken to sermons or prayers, but to the _talk_ of his people. This would have saved you from false relations with men that oppose themselves, caring nothing for the truth--perhaps eager to save their souls, nothing more at the very best.” “Sir! sir! what wad ye hae? Daur ye say it’s no a body’s first duty to save his ain sowl alive?” exclaimed Bow-o’-meal. “I daur ’t--but there’s little daur intill ’t!” said Mr Graham, breaking into Scotch. Bow-o’-meal rose from his chair in indignation, Blue Peter made a grasp at his bonnet, and Jeames Gentle gave a loud sigh of commiseration. “I allow it to be a very essential piece of prudence,” added the schoolmaster, resuming his quieter English--“but the first duty! --no. The Catechism might have taught you better than that! To mind his chief end must surely be man’s first duty; and the Catechism says--‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God.’” “And to enjoy him for ever,” supplemented Peter.