"Well, I confess that I am very much puzzled about all these matters," quietly observed a lady of very gentle manners, in a low voice. "I cannot help having misgivings that a system which carries into its minutest circumstances and details such almost irresistible power may perhaps, after all, owe it to the force of truth. It is certainly sustained and animated by some principle not possessed or exerted by Protestantism in any of its branches." "It is a principle of evil, then," cried the former austere speaker. "The Prince of Darkness knows how to appear as an 'angel of light'!" "Ah!" resumed the other; "but you know our Lord said, 'If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his household!' We ought to be careful how we bring such accusations against a church which certainly numbers some very good people among its members. One thing may be said of it, that the poor are tenderly cherished and cared for within its pale; and I can never believe that the evil one is the dispenser or instigator of so many charities as are instituted and supported by this church." "All done for effect, and to lead poor Protestants astray! Take care, my dear friend; for these misgivings are the beginning of danger, and if you follow them, they will surely lead you into the Romish Church. That is the way all those who have lost the light of Protestantism have been ensnared." "If it should prove that they gave up an _ignis fatuus_ for the light of the star that guided the wise men of old to the crib of the Infant Redeemer, did they not do well rather than ill?" suggested the quiet speaker, and was answered only by a murmur of indignation at her bold conjecture, as the party withdrew to another room where the tea-table was spread for their refreshment. CHAPTER IV. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE DONATION-PARTY. "Did you go to the donation party at our minister's last night, sister C----? I was so sorry that I couldn't go! My little girl had such a bad cold, I did not dare to leave her." "Yes, I was there; and, don't you think! Mrs. H---- was there too, with her daughter. Would you have believed she would dare to show her face among the Methodists, after what has happened?" "No, indeed, I should not! But wonders will never cease. How did she appear?" "As pleasant and gentle as ever; and just as much at home as if she had never left us to join the Catholics. Sister J---- would not speak to her at first, or look at her; and our good old brother L----, who used to be her class-leader, you know, quite turned the cold shoulder upon her; but she was not to be put off so easily; and after a little while, her kind and winning ways had thawed all the ice, and we couldn't help being pleasant with her." "Well, I always did love sister H----; hence I don't want to meet her now. I am glad I was not there! Did any one speak to her about her change?"