He was slow and pompous; his tone with the Almighty might easily have roused a hostile sense of humour; but Dissent in its active and emotional forms kills the sense of humour; and, besides, there was a real, ungainly power in the man.

Every phrase of his opening prayer was hackneyed; every gesture uncouth.

But his heart was in it, and religious conviction is the most infectious thing in the world.

He warmed, and his congregation warmed with him.

The wild scene, too, did its part--the world of darkening moors spread out before them; the mountain wall behind them; the October wind sighing round the ruined walls; the lonely unaccustomed sounds of birds and water.
When he ceased, boy after boy broke out into more or less incoherent praying.