Do you remember that I once availed myself of a Christian privilege, to mention between us the subject of family prayer?
"I remain, my dear M'Clutchy, with, may I hope, a few of the graces of my calling--an earnest wrestler against sin, "Solomon M'Slime." "Now, Darby," said he, having folded the letter enclosing his tender for Harman's farm, and handed, it to him, "now, that so much is despatched, I trust we may have a word or two upon a subject of still higher importance.

How do you feel in a spiritual way ?--Are your views as clear as ever ?--are you supported--I mean inwardly, for that is the only true support after all ?" "Thrath, Mr.M'Slime, I'm afeard to spake, sir, for fraid I'd say either more or less than the truth." "That is a good sign, Darby, but you must avoid profane swearing, which is a habit you contracted when in the bonds of iniquity; but you must reform it--or rather, grace will be given you to reform it." "I hope so," replied Darby, "and that I'll still get a clearer knowledge of the truth, plaise Goodness." Darby, as he uttered these words, would have given a trifle to have had M'Clutchy to look at.

Little did Solomon suspect the truth to which his convert alluded.
"May it in charity be granted!" exclaimed Solomon, slightly twitching up his eyebrows.

"But, Darby, will you be properly prepared on next Sabbath (D.V.) to bear strong testimony against error and idolatry ?" "Why, I'll do my best, sir," replied Darby, "and you know the best can do no more." "Well, but you can faithfully say that you are utterly free from every taint of Popery." "Faith, sir, I don't know that that would be altogether prudent.

Did you never hear of the ould proverb, sir--not to throw out the dirty water till you get in the clane--I'm not sure that I have a sufficient grip of the new light yet," said Darby, falling unconsciously into his usual style of conversation, "but, I hope that by next Sunday, I'll be able to shine;--an', be me sowl, if I don't, sir, it'll be none o' my fawt--divil resave the purtier convert in Europe than I'll make when I come to know a little about it." "Darby," said Solomon, impatiently, "this is really very trying to one so anxious for your spiritual welfare as I am.