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with me before a congregation of people。 But； sir； we are led on；
like the little children； by a way that we know not。 I was called to
preach quite suddenly； and since then I have never been left in
doubt about the work that was laid upon me。”
“But tell me the circumstances—just how it was； the very day
you began to preach。”
“It was one Sunday I walked with brother Marlowe； who was an
aged man； one of the local preachers； all the way to Hetton…
Deeps—that’s a village where the people get their living by
working in the lead…mines； and where there’s no church nor
preacher； but they live like sheep without a shepherd。 It’s better
than twelve miles from Snowfield； so we set out early in the
morning； for it was summertime； and I had a wonderful sense of
the Divine love as we walked over the hills； where there’s no trees；
you know； sir； as there is here； to make the sky look smaller； but
you see the heavens stretched out like a tent； and you feel the
everlasting arms around you。 But before we got to Hetton； brother
Marlowe was seized with a dizziness that made him afraid of
falling； for he overworked himself sadly； at his years； in watching
and praying； and walking so many miles to speak the Word； as
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well as carrying on his trade of linen…weaving。 And when we got to
the village； the people were expecting him； for he’d appointed the
time and the place when he was there before； and such of them as
cared to hear the Word of Life were assembled on a spot where
the cottages was thickest； so as others might be drawn to come。
But he felt as he couldn’t stand up to preach； and he was forced to
lie down in the first of the cottages we came to。 So I went to tell
the people； thinking we’d go into one of the houses； and I would
read and pray with them。 But as I passed along by the cottages
and saw the aged and trembling women at the doors； and the hard
looks of the men； who seemed to have their eyes no more filled
with the sight of the Sabbath morning than if they had been dumb
oxen that never looked up to the sky； I felt a great movement in
my soul； and I trembled as if I was shaken by a strong spirit
entering into my weak body。 And I went to where the little flock of
people was gathered together； and stepped on the low wall that
was built against the green hillside； and I spoke the words that
were given to me abundantly。 And they all came round me out of
all the cottages； and many wept over their sins； and have since
been joined to the Lord。 That was the beginning of my preaching；
sir； and I’ve preached ever since。”
Dinah had let her work fall during this narrative； which she
uttered in her usual simple way； but with that sincere articulate；
thrilling treble by which she always mastered her audience。 She
stooped now to gather up her sewing； and then went on with it as
before。 Mr。 Irwine was deeply interested。 He said to himself； “He
must be a miserable prig who would act the pedagogue here： one
might as well go and lecture the trees for growing in their own
shape。”
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“And you never feel any embarrassment from the sense of your
youth—that you are a lovely young woman on whom men’s eyes
are fixed？” he said aloud。
“No； I’ve no room for such feelings； and I don’t believe the
people ever take notice about that。 I think； sir； when God makes
His presence felt through us； we are like the burning bush： Moses
never took any heed what sort of bush it was—he only saw the
brightness of the Lord。 I’ve preached to as rough ignorant people
as can be in the villages about Snowfield—men that looked very
hard and wild—but they never said an uncivil word to me； and
often thanked me kindly as they made way for me to pass through
the midst of them。”
“That I can believe—that I can well believe；” said Mr。 Irwine；
emphatically。 “And what did you think of your hearers last night；
now？ Did you find them quiet and attentive？”
“Very quiet； sir； but I saw no signs of any great work upon
them； except in a young girl named Bessy Cranage； towards whom
my heart yearned greatly； when my eyes first fell on her blooming
youth； given up to folly and vanity。 I had some private talk and
prayer with her afterwards； and I trust her heart is touched。 But
I’ve noticed that in these villages where the people lead a quiet life
among the green pastures and the still waters； tilling the ground
and tending the cattle； there’s a strange deadness to the Word； as
different as can be from the great towns； like Leeds； where I once
went to visit a holy woman who preaches there。 It’s wonderful how
rich is the harvest of souls up those high…walled streets； where you
seemed to walk as in a prison…yard； and the ear is deafened with
the sounds of worldly toil。 I think maybe it is because the promise
is sweeter when this life is so dark and weary； and the soul gets
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more hungry when the body is ill at ease。”
“Why； yes； our farm…labourers are not easily roused。 They take
life almost as slowly as the sheep and cows。 But we have some
intelligent workmen about here。 I daresay you know the Bedes；
Seth Bede； by the by； is a Methodist。”
“Yes； I know Seth well； and his brother Adam a little。 Seth is a
gracious young man—sincere and without offence； and Adam is
like the patriarch Joseph； for his great skill and knowledge and the
kindness he shows to his brother and his parents。”
“Perhaps you don’t know the trouble that has just happened to
them？ Their father； Matthias Bede； was drowned in the Wil