behind the age--and _that_ musty! uw!"

"With the words of truth left sticking on the walls?" suggested Mr.
Drake.

"Ha! ha! ha!--Good that!" exclaimed several.

But the pastor's face looked stern, and the voices dropped into rebuked
silence.

"At least you'll allow, sir," persisted Barwood, "that the house of God
ought to be as good as the houses of his people. It stands to reason.
Depend upon it, He won't give us no success till we give Him a decent
house. What! are we to dwell in houses of cedar, and the ark of the Lord
in a tent? That's what it comes to, sir!"

The pastor's spiritual gorge rose at this paganism in Jew clothing.

"You think God loves newness and finery better than the old walls where
generations have worshiped?" he said.

"I make no doubt of it, sir," answered Barwood. "What's generations to
him! He wants the people drawn to His house; and what there is in
Cow-lane to draw is more than I know."

"I understand you wish to sell the chapel," said Mr. Drake. "Is it not
rather imprudent to bring down the value of your property before you
have got rid of it?"

Barwood smiled a superior smile. He considered the bargain safe, and