moral condition, which we all esteem as a source of riches laid up
in store for the future."

"I discover; but it never troubles me while I take care of others. I
pray for my negro property-pray loudly and long. And then, their
piety is a charge of great magnitude; but when I need your
assistance in looking after it, be assured you will receive an extra
fee."

"That's personal-personal, decidedly personal."

"Quite the reverse," returns Marston, suddenly smiling, and, placing
his elbows on the table, rests his face on his hands. "Religion is
well in its place, good on simple minds; just the thing to keep
vassals in their places: that's why I pay to have it talked to my
property. Elder, I get the worth of my money in seeing the
excitement my fellows get into by hearing you preach that old
worn-out sermon. You've preached it to them so long, they have got
it by heart. Only impress the rascals that it's God's will they
should labour for a life, and they'll stick to it like Trojans: they
are just like pigs, sir."

"You don't comprehend me, my friend Marston: I mean that you should
prepare-it's a rule applicable to all-to meet the terrible that may
come upon us at any moment." The Elder is fearful that he is not
quite explicit enough. He continues: "Well, there is something to be
considered;"-he is not quite certain that we should curtail the
pleasures of this life by binding ourselves with the dread of what
is to come. "Seems as if we owed a common duty to ourselves," he
ejaculates.