It is, then, for this purpose that I sometimes, when among these men, make myself even as one of them, and humble myself, always with an eye to edification even to the fourth or fifth cup.' "'But I trust, sir, that these Christian descents from your vantage ground are generally rewarded.' "'Without boasting, I trust I may say so.

These little sacrifices of mine are not without their own appropriate compensations.

Indeed, it is seldom that such stretches of duty on the right side, and for the improvement of others, are made altogether in vain.

For instance, after the humility--if I can call it so--of the third cup, I am rewarded with an easy uprising of the spiritual man--a greater sense of inward freedom--an elevation of the soul--a benign beatitude of spirit, that diffuses a calm, serene happiness through my whole being.' "'That, sir, must be delightful.' "'It is delightful, but it is what these men--carnal I do not wish to call them lest I fall--it is, however, what these men--or, indeed, any merely carnal man, cannot feel.

This, however, I feel to be a communication made to me, that in this thing I should not for the time stop; and I feel that I am not free to pass the fourth or fifth cup, knowing as how greater freedom and additional privileges will be granted.' "'Are the stages marked, sir, between the fourth and fifth tumblers ?' "'Cups, my friend--there is a beauty, sir, in the economy of this that is not to be concealed.