Then he
asked me if I had taken the Sacrament lately; and I thanked him, and
said I had taken it on Sunday last; our clergyman came round to me
after service. Mr. Arthur"--and poor Jenkins's eyes wore an eager look
of gratitude--"I feel sure that his lordship would have administered it
to me with his own hands. I wonder whether all bishops are like him!"
Arthur did not answer. Jenkins resumed, quitting the immediate topic
for another.
"And I hear, sir, that Mr. Channing has come home restored, and that
the little boy is found. His lordship was so good as to tell me both.
Oh, Mr. Arthur, how merciful God has been!"
"We are finding Him so, just now," fervently spoke Arthur.
"And it is all right again, sir, with you and Mr. Galloway?"
"Quite right. I am to remain in the office. I am to be in your place,
Jenkins."
"You'll occupy a better position in it, sir, than I ever did. But you
will not be all alone, surely?"
"Young Bartlett is coming to be under me. Mr. Galloway has made final
arrangements to-day. We shall go on all right now."
"Ay," said Jenkins, folding his thin hands upon the counterpane, and
speaking as in self-commune; "we must live near to God to know His
mercy. It does seem almost as if I had asked a favour of any earthly
person, so exactly has it been granted me! Mr. Arthur, I prayed that I
might live to see you put right with Mr. Galloway and the town, and I
felt as sure as I could feel, by some inward evidence which I cannot
describe, but which was plain to me, that God heard me, and would grant
me my wish.
Pages:
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759