RIDLEY SELDON. CHAPTER I. "Canst thou dream there is a power In lighter diet at a later hour, To charm to sleep the threatening of the skies?" COWPER. "Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness." Collect for the first Sunday in Lent. It was the morning of Ash Wednesday, and Philip Seldon sat apart, while his elder brother with his wife and family partook of their customary breakfast. For some minutes Philip appeared to be occupied with the pamphlet he was reading, but the occasional B impatient and contemptuous glances that he cast at his companions failing to attract their attention, he at last broke the silence by saying, "You are so miserably low church, Ridley, that I do not wonder the dissenters think they have a sort of half claim upon you. Indeed, I am almost ashamed to number you among the ministers of the Anglican communion." "You have brought, what you appear to think, a heavy charge against me so often, Philip," replied his brother, smiling, "that I must ask you for a plain definition of your term 'low church,' that I be able to defend myself from the accusation, or to benefit by the rebuke." may "that you do "I mean, then," returned Philip, not think exact obedience to the commands of our holy church, a necessary part of the duty of a christian man. You do not listen, as a dutiful son would do, for the slightest intimation of her behests." "I believe," said Ridley, "your quarrel this morning is with the hearty breakfast I have ventured to take. I own that the formularies of our church do seem to recommend the practice of a stated fast to be kept during the season of Lent; but no church, save that of Rome, presumes to fasten a law concerning fasting upon the consciences of its members. The Lord has left the times and seasons for such exercises, as He has done the hours for secret communion with God, to the hearts of his people. The public services of the church bind no fetters of formality upon the private devotions of individual Christians." "My father," said Mrs. Seldon, addressing her husband, "is in the constant habit of observing Lent as a season of abstinence. I made the discovery when quite a child, and began to follow his example with great resolution; but while I denied my appetite, I fed my pride. My father saw my attempt to imitate his outward act, while I was a stranger to the inward fast, which only God will approve; and he discouraged my deed of supererogation, while he tried to show me what is the fast of a penitent spirit." "I am aware that Archdeacon Harpur observes Lent," remarked Philip; "but even he does not do so exactly as a son of the church, in the spirit of unreasoning, unquestioning obedience. He does it because he thinks he has found benefit from the observance, and never even recommends the practice to others. I venerate Archdeacon Harpur, but he falls far short in this respect of my pattern of a perfect churchman." Ridley finished his breakfast in silence, and then ising from the table, walked towards the window, and continued to look out for some minutes. It was a fine spring morning, but the house which the rector of Bexham inhabited was in the main street of the little town, and there was nothing to attract the earnest gaze with which he appeared to regard the objects before him. But at that moment Ridley Seldon heeded not the passers by. There was warfare in his heart between the voice of duty, and the fear of hurting his beloved brother's feelings. The contest was not long; he turned towards the sofa on which his brother lounged, and gently laying his hand upon the pamphlet Philip was reading, he said in a solemn voice, "When I took my ordination vow, Philip, the bishop did not ask me whether I was ready to forego my daily food on Ash Wednesday, and other fasts of the church; but he said, Will you be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word?' And I answered, I will, · the Lord being my helper.'* Therefore I forbid the introduction of the British Critic, or any book upholding similar errors, into my dwelling. Would to God, my brother, that my wish could follow you elsewhere, and entirely prevent you from reading such publications." Philip looked at his brother, to see if the command * Ordination Service. |