5. It follows, as a portion of the Sabbatical principle, that it never yields—no, not by a hair’s-breadth. The command is exceeding broad, and no apparent good is a real good which involves the slightest concession. The absolute purity of the principle is the talisman of success, never to be tarnished without ruin to the cause. 6. It farther follows, in the memorable words of the departed Baronet, “That we have nothing to do with success; that is in better hands than ours. We have only to do with means.” The consequence of which is, that we never trouble ourselves with the anxious inquiries of the timid—“What chance is there of succeeding? Have you got any more votes? Is it worth while to try? Is it not hopeless?” &c. &c. Contending for the command and honour of God, these things affected our Sabbath course practically in no way; they generally were the snare of the half-and-halfers alone. No doubt we counted our numbers, glad of their increase; but the less carefulness about these things, and the more confidence in the impregnability of the principle there is, the better for the cause, and the better for the man. 7. Decided firmness thus is of unspeakable value in this work. But it is not all. It must ever be tempered with courtesy. Temper indeed and courtesy, beautiful ornaments of the Sabbath defender, are powerful aids to his argument—“Remember, gentlemen,” said our late leader, “these men are just as well entitled to hold their opinions as we are to hold ours. To be sure you know (smiling) they are wrong and we are right; but they must be met fairly and respectfully. Who knows but they may come round?” Things did indeed now and then occur to stir up his indignation, but few and far between were the rufflings of his benign heart. To ordinary mortals they are very rarely lawful. The practice of a friend, with whom the author was once associated in an important negotiation, is worth following on occasions of trial of temper. When an exceedingly irritating or impertinent thing was said, he pulled out his very handsome snuff-box, and, expending his wrath in a violent rap on the lid, and noisy draught of its contents within his inflated nostrils, proceeded thereafter to the reply, which was not the less effective for the pause. II. MODE OF ACTION BEFORE MEETINGS. 1. Two men (or any greater number, _ad libitum_) thus principled, having established themselves in a railway company by the purchase of (at least) as much stock as will yield a vote, may proceed to action without fear. The whole agitation in the railway companies so began; and, for many a long day, it was carried on but by a handful. {20} They were strong, however, in the strength of their position and foundation; and the band grew and multiplied.