It was at this point that Cyrus Fennel (brother of Martha) made a hit at Mr. David. He arose, and, looking toward the old man, said he should like to inquire whether Christ’s commands were as binding as those of Paul? Mr. David said that certainly they were, and more so. Cyrus then read these words of Christ: “_Give to every man that asketh of thee._” This brought to every face an amused, half-pleased expression; Mr. David’s stinginess being almost a by-word here. He replied, that every man has a duty to his family. Fennel Payne reminded him again that nothing was to be explained away, and then read other commands of Christ, each of a similar import to the one mentioned by Cyrus. He then repeated all the different texts which had been brought forward, beginning with that against women speaking in the church. “And now I want to ask,” he continued, “why the first of these injunctions should be taken literally, and the others not?” As Fennel Payne sat down, a tall, gray-haired man arose,--the same who came through the place, not long ago, selling “Bitters” of his own making. He is a pleasant-faced, good-humored man, and travels, with his jugs, in an antique carryall, on the outside of which is written with chalk, “Archangel Bitters.” His name is Hensiford. This man arose, and, after asking permission to speak, said in a bland, mild tone, speaking slowly, “My friends, it comes to my mind to ask a question, which is this: Why are men met together to decide this matter? My friends, if the Almighty Creator meant that woman should be judged by the law, he gave to her an understanding mind to understand the law: otherwise, God is unjust. And, my friends, if women are to be saved, or lost, according to the deeds done in the body, it must be that they have consciences whereby they may tell right from wrong: otherwise, God is unjust. My friends, woman either is a responsible being, or she is not a responsible being: she can’t be sometimes one, and sometimes the other. It does not appear to me, my friends, that we are called upon to decide this matter. The brother on my right hand allowed, just now, that woman should be guided by her conscience. Paul asks, ‘Why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?’ Women might ask the same question by putting in the word ‘any’ in place of ‘another.’ And now, my friends,” continued the old man, looking round with a persuasive smile, “what a plain and simple way it would be to let women understand _Scripter_ with their own understandings, and regulate their behavior by the voice of their own consciences!” XIV. AN ENTERTAINING MEETING.