Eleanor Lewknor

Chapter I

" I LIKE your services, but I don't for one moment understand what you mean when you talk of the Church, Mr. Matson. You see, there are so many ; it's rather confusing." Eleanor Lewknor's tone of voice was satirical. Mr. Matson had been sitting in an easy chair in her drawing-room, for the last quarter of an hour, and the conversation had ranged over local topics, alighting, as was natural, on the subject of churches. Amy had hitherto been the chief speaker, but now that the clergyman's eyes were rivetted on the intellectual, but somewhat scornful coun tenance of her friend, she kept silence for a space. " I am afraid I am very ignorant on church matters," the young lady continued. " Where we used to live in Warwickshire, the VOL. II. B vicar was an extremely old man, who held up Jezebel's end as a warning to smart, frivolous young persons; whilst Moses, striking the rock, etc., pointed the moral of a lesson on obedience."

" So you have no clear ideas on the sub ject of the English Church ? " Mr. Matson said interestedly, bending forward. Mrs. Gray had just left, before his entrance, to execute a commission in the village, thus the girls could speak without that restraint which the presence of an orthodox thinker, however amiably disposed, necessarily places upon those, whose minds are not quite so made up, on the same topics. " Whether it dates from St. Augustine, or from the Reformation, or from the Tractarian movement, I have not the slightest idea. I can quite understand the reasoning by which the Roman Catholics declare their Church to be the One Catholic and Apostolic Church, although I have no inclination to kiss the Pope's toe. But as to our Anglican branch being the one true Church, I must confess I fail to see it !

" Eleanor spoke with deliberate thoughtful ness, of which Mr. Matson seemed fully aware when he replied — "The English Church, my dear Miss Lewknor, does not claim to be the Holy Catholic Church, but she claims to be a branch, and an important branch, of the early Apostolical Church. You remember the early churches of Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, which existed when St. Paul wrote his epistles to them ? Just in the same way as those communities were established, by evangelistic missionary labour, was the Church of Christ planted at an early period, long before St. Augustine's time, in the land of Great Britain." " People often say that the Church of Eng land is a parliamentary institution. Mr. Compton used to say so," Eleanor observed. " Our friend was somewhat inclined to indulge his legal fancies.

We held several arguments upon this point," continued Mr. Matson, with a warmth of manner which showed his loyalty to his Church, and his desire to establish her foundations upon their true basis. " That our Church was established by Parliament, is a misleading notion. Some people, I know, out of a feeling of antagonism to the claim she lawfully exercises over the consciences of her children, seek, as it were, to falsify her title deeds. Others are too indolent to learn the reason of their hope, or to ascertain for themselves the truth of that which the Church teaches. To pit the Acts of Parliament against undoubted facts of history, is to bow the former out of the field." The Curate of Wick spoke emphatically. The subject was one, apparently, near to his heart. Amy was gazing at him as he con tinued — " The real meaning of the term ' by law established,' which sticks in so many people's throats, signifies that Parliament has ar ranged in times past, what persons shall hold preferments and church livings, what oaths they shall take, and what manner of declara tions they shall subscribe, also as to the way in which they shall receive their emoluments.

Again, Parliament has decided what civil privileges they shall enjoy, and what legal authority the prelates of the Church shall stand possessed of. But Parliament never set up a hierarchy, appointed clergy, built, or endowed, places of worship. The Church of England was really never established in this land. It began primarily by being the ac cepted worship of the few, and grew to its present dimensions in the course of interven ing centuries. In fact, those who governed the country in past ages were instructed by the Church. They gained from her views of order, and government. The Church of England was not planted in our midst by Act of Parliament — for she existed centuries before the Constitution was thought of — nor by sword nor by coercive measures." " Like the religion of Islam," suggested Eleanor, who had exchanged her look of satire for one of some interest.

"The religion of Mahomet was spread by human might, not by legislative decrees. But we owe our belief to the self-sacrificing heroes who first taught the faith of Christ, in these islands. Think of the countless toils and privations, which these brave men en countered, as they spread abroad their mes sage, when princes and petty rulers gradually renounced paganism, to succumb to the subtle power of the new religion. The more those uncultured early Britons came into contact with Christianity, the more rapidly it developed into a spiritual power set up in an earthly kingdom, until, drifting on, and gradually increasing in the course of cen turies, it grew into a National Church." " But, Mr. Matson," exclaimed Eleanor, " we were almost Roman Catholics be fore the Reformation. For several hundred years the Popes of Rome meddled with our Church."

" Undoubtedly the Church was for a time influenced by Roman Popes," the clergyman answered ; " but, for all that, the Church of this country is a branch of the Church of Christ, planted by the successors of the apostles. She never lost her identity as that original apostolic branch, even in her closest union with Rome." " She was the English Church Romanized, then," Miss Lewknor interjected. " Like the Ritualism of to-day," remarked Amy, mischievously. " Yes, if you like," resumed Mr. Matson, answering the elder girl. " But the English Church of the nineteenth century is the same, which through many centuries ministered to the spiritual needs of Briton, Saxon, Dane, and Norman. She is the oldest institution in the realm. Her history precedes that of the Sovereigns of England, and her foundations were firmly laid, before any Parliament whatsoever, came into being.

From almost the earliest periods of our history, the English Church was the sole teacher and exponent of Christian doctrine in these islands." " Then the Reformation did not sweep away the old Church, and give us a new one?" remarked Amy Challoner. " Certainly not," was the reply. " Mr. Matson, when did the Christian religion first reach England, if St. Augustine did not bring it?" Eleanor inquired a moment after. " There were Christian bishops established in Britain, long before Pope Gregory sent St. Augustine. They were present at the Council of Aries, A.D. 314, when there were three metropolitans in this country — their sees being at York, London, and Caerleon, on the Usk, in Monmouthshire." " Oh, they had bishops in England at that date ! " exclaimed Miss Lewknor. " Yes, bishops, priests, and deacons were the three orders divinely appointed to tend Christ's flock, and baptism was the inaugural ceremony of admission."

" How different from the Dissenters ! I wonder they do not keep to the primitive mode of Church government, considering how they take their stand upon the Bible," Eleanor observed. " In addition to the fact, that the early British sent bishops to the Church Councils, the Fathers Eusebius, Origen, and Tertullian all allude to the establishment of Christianity in Britain," returned Mr. Matson. " Of course there was St. Alban, who was martyred in 303 ; I forgot him," said the elder girl, recalling the historical lessons of her childhood. " Thus you see, Christianity was a fact in England before the papal see tried to usurp authority over the English Church, and it is almost beyond dispute that the British Christians derived their theology from an Asiatic, or Greek source, rather than from the Church established at Rome, a portion of the Saxon Church, for a time, following the Asiatic custom of keeping Easter, and of administering baptism.

When St. Augustine landed, the British bishops declared that they were under a metropolitan of their own, they knew nothing of a Bishop of Rome as an ecclesiastical superior. Nor had Gregory power, to give Augustine jurisdiction over the British bishops. Since on a previous occa sion, the Pope himself had admitted, that ' Kings have from God supreme power over all their subjects.' " " But in later times the Popes appointed the Archbishops of Canterbury, did they not?" asked Eleanor, with eager interest. "They did," replied Mr. Matson; "but they had no right to interfere in this country. They were invading the rights of the Royal prerogative and erring against the canons of the Universal Church when they did so, to say nothing of disobeying Scripture by removing a neighbour's landmark." " But if the Church is apostolic, as you say, I do not understand how she is catholic."

Miss Lewknor's countenance unconsciously assumed an unbelieving expression. " The Church is Catholic because she holds the one faith delivered to the Saints, because she has the same orders and sacraments as the early Church." " Up to what date did the Roman Catholic Church retain her primitive apostolic faith ? " inquired Eleanor. " You are on the right track now." Mr. Matson exchanged his serious look for an expression of contentment. Amy was a silent listener, but a close observer of the clergyman as he spoke warmly upon the position of the Church ot England. " To answer that question fully would take too long a time. You will remember that two, or three centuries before the Reformation, abuses were gradually spreading amongst monastic systems all over the continent. At that time many doctrines, although tacitly admitted, as pious opinions, were not, so to speak, officially recognized until the Council of Trent ratified them in the creed of Pope Pius IV., a profession of faith specially drawn up, and devised to con fute the errors of Luther, and Calvin.

And what are the later decrees of Papal Infalli bility and of the Immaculate Conception but fabrications of the age in which we live ? " pursued the divine, his fervour kindling as he proceeded with his subject. " I have heard Roman Catholics argue that an infallible authority on earth, is the logical outcome of the admission of a revelation," observed Eleanor, in a slow emphatic manner, weighing each word in her mind as she spoke. Amy had not the clear ideas of her friend, although she had had more opportunities of gaining information upon the themes discussed. " Divine authority was undoubtedly left by Christ to His immediate successors," the clergyman continued. " Did He not com mission them to ' go into all the world and preach ? ' We believe that there is a visible Church on earth, with authority given it directly by God, that it ought to be Catholic and Apostolic, in communion with the Universal Church, deriving its powers by succession from the Apostles.

But we do not believe that Christ ever instituted one supreme visible head, He himself being the Head of the Church." " There have been some odd popes, have there not ? " interposed Eleanor. " A study of the history of the Roman Church, shows us popes who have subverted the primitive faith by a new creed, mutilated her sacraments, destroyed her apostolic government, and set at nought ecclesiastical authority in her synods. Romanists them selves allege that historical difficulties sur round some of the papal decrees, and it is a well-known thing that two, or even three popes, have been seen reigning together." " Were there not three popes at one time?" Miss Lewknor remarked. " Perhaps they thought there was luck in odd numbers," drolly observed Amy, looking wonderfully demure. Mr. Matson smiled.

" And yet," musingly continued Eleanor, " what they say about our Bible admitting of numerous interpretations is quite true ; every sectarian, in fact every Protestant, makes what he likes out of his pet texts." "I should imagine," answered Mr. Matson, " that there is no point of importance in Holy Scripture, which has not been dragged by clever men through the mire of controversial dispute. The authority to decide the real meaning of the revelation, we hold, to be the Church of Christ. Roman Catholics declare that power to be vested in the Pope of Rome. When our Lord said ' Go and teach all nations ; I am with you alway even unto the end of the world ; he who heareth you, heareth Me, and he who despiseth you, des piseth Me,' He was not addressing St. Peter alone, and through him a line of Italian bishops.

He was speaking to the founders of the Universal Church and to their separate successors. I hope you have no inclination Romewards, Miss Lewknor," he concluded in a gentler voice, looking inquiringly at the intellectual countenance of the fair girl, whose interest was evident. " Eleanor has no inclinations at all, Mr. Matson ! " Amy ejaculated. " Has she not ? " he replied, smilingly. " Will you read some books I should like to send you, if I may ? " " Yes, certainly ; I really am quite interested in the subject, Mr. Matson ; you put the whole thing so clearly that I begin to see daylight, where all before was black as night," declared Eleanor. " I am afraid Mr. Compton influenced you against the Church." " I hear he is going to stay with you ; is it true, Mr. Matson ? " she asked. " Yes, I expect him for a few days, later on ; he is busy at present."

" When I saw him last, just before we came to Rayne, he was much attracted by a Father Basil," Eleanor said, reddening, for she had been several times in company with the barrister, to the handsome edifice in Kensington, lately erected for the purpose of Roman Catholic worship. " Eleanor was very naughty, Mr. Matson ; she always used to go to mass at eleven o'clock with Mr. Compton, whilst she was staying with us in town," Amy informed him half-confidentially and half-laughing. " Do you know that a person attending Westminster Abbey in the morning and the Oratory in the evening is guilty of the sin of schism?" the Anglican asked of Miss Lewknor. " A great writer on the subject has said, that a man who persists in such inconsistency of conduct, should be refused absolution until he promises to refrain from schismatic worship.

He should also be ex cluded from the Holy Communion, and re ported to the Bishop." Eleanor's lip took a contemptuous curl as the clergyman spoke. " What do you really mean by ' schismatic worship ? ' " she asked. " Schism," replied he, " is the setting up of altar against altar. We cannot have rival bishops celebrating divine mysteries in the same diocese, without the one or the other being guilty of the sin of internal schism, according to the canons of the early Church. For instance, we find two bishops in London, each claiming apostolic descent, each claim ing spiritual authority over that see. If Cardinal Manning's jurisdiction be legal, then the Bishop of London must be a schismatic. But if by all the principles of ecclesiastical order, and if there be such a thing as historical continuity, the Archbishop of Westminster be proved to be, as St. Cyprian says, ' an enemy of the altar, a hostile brother, if, despising the bishops, he dares to set up another altar,' then the Bishop of the English Church is the true representative of Christ in this land.

The other is logically a rebel against his authority." " Well, all these ecclesiastical differences seem wonderfully puerile, and of the earth, earthy, when you endeavour to picture to yourself the pure character of Christ. What can all these petty trivialities matter to a God of infinite power and wisdom? Is it likely that an ' Incomprehensible Power, called Omnipresent, from inability to assign its limits,' can take interest in the rivalries and jangling of His creatures ? " " I hope, my dear Miss Lewknor, that you are not going to look to scientific definitions, as your only spiritual resource," he answered, gravely. Amy had left the room to meet the post man coming up the drive. " I am not going to adopt High Church opinions, simply because they are fashionable," the girl replied, half-scornfully.

"I should not wish you to do so," he urged. " Many do," said she. " I am aware of it ; more is the pity." " Now, Amy Challoner would never give her mind to doubting, as I do," said Miss Lewknor; "she is naturally a receptive nature ; and then she has always attended an attractive church, which I have not." " Everyone must be influenced in some way by their surroundings." " She is a very bright nature. I envy her everlasting flow of good spirits." " There is something very sweet about Miss Challoner. I do not wonder you are so much attached to her." " She never lets me mope for any length of time ; do you, Amy ? " asked Miss Lewknor, as her friend opened the door. After a short time the curate of Wick took his leave, promising to send some books to Elgin House the following day, bearing upon the points they had been discussing.

" So you see Mr. Compton is to stay there presently," Amy said, as they were once more together, Mrs. Gray being still absent. I hope it will be when we spend our fortnight with Madame la Marquise, at Orleans." Both girls had accepted an invitation to visit their former travelling acquaintance, at her chateau near that town, later on in the autumn. " You are the most fickle girl I know," Miss Challoner retorted. " I am not at all fickle," Eleanor replied, indignantly. " Do you really mean me to believe that you don't want to see Mr. Compton ? " exclaimed the vivacious brunette, adding, " Really, Ellie, you are uncommonly hard to please, I must confess." " Your head is always running on marriage. Surely a girl may like a man's company, with out wanting him to propose immediately?" returned Eleanor, almost indignantly.

" I do believe you are falling in love with ' the missing link ' yourself ! " ejaculated Amy, in a tone which suggested that poaching on Miss Challoner's preserves, was not very com mendable. Eleanor burst out laughing. " You need take no thought for the morrow on that score," she said. " I know who it is that has taken captive your fickle fancy ! " cried Amy, as if she had made a most important discovery in physics, or in an ology. " You seem to think I can't exist without being in love with someone, or another." " It's Drummond, of course ! " " Drummond ! " echoed Miss Lewknor, in a tone of scorn at the insinuation. " It could not be the despiser of Sunday war paint ! " Amy suggested pathetically. Eleanor laughed satirically at the mere notion of such a thing.

Chapter II

The new organ at Rayne Church was not completed before the last week in September. Great was the excitement which reigned in the parish, as it became known that the mistress of Elgin House was to officiate the following Sunday. Eleanor had been three weeks at Rayne, and was beginning to feel quite at home. In obedience to the dying wish of her great aunt, she had already made the acquaintance of most of the cottagers, who were unanimous in their verdict upon her personal merits. Amy Challoner had gladly accompanied her to several services at Wick Church. Eleanor having received the promised books from Mr. Matson, had been brought, the past week or two, a good deal into contact with the curate of Wick, not without unconsciously gaining thereby, a stimulus for research, and a spirit of inquiry.

The contrast between the energetic curate- VOL. II. C in-charge, with his keen grasp of theological difficulties, and the placid vicar of her own parish, whose intellect was certainly below the average, was most marked. Miss Lewk nor's vivid imaginative faculty and wildly argumentative nature were inclining to con fine their operations, within more defined limits, than they had done for months past. This was in part due to the result of her study of human character, and in part, the out come of her conversations with the clergyman. Science, argued she to herself, in place of religion, is unsatisfactory. After all, lifetime, especially a woman's lifetime, is too short to spend in cavilling over the details of divers creeds. So she wisely determined to indulge no more in thoughts, and speculations which in no way increased her happiness, and cer tainly led to no result.

She was unconscious of the fact, but the High Churchman was assuredly drawing her, firmly, but so gently, that it was scarcely perceptible, out of the deep waters of unbelief, into a surer resting place. Mr. Drummond had found his way to Elgin House, ostensibly to admire the points of Black Prince, not once, but three times, on each occasion remaining till late in the even ing to play tennis. Courteous and polished as he was by nature, it was not surprising that the officer should soon slide into intimacy with the girls, Mrs. Gray adding her mite of approval to that of the young ladies, for the young man's manner to the widow, was always indicative of that respectful homage, which those ad vancing in years, like to receive from a younger generation. Lady Coalstone, whose guest Mr. Drummond was, being ignorant of these visits of his to Elgin House, laboured under the amiable delusion that the officer was paying his respects to his relative at Rayne Hall.

Once the sound of excited voices from the tennis ground belonging to Elgin House, had reached the ears of two pedestrians, walking slowly past the gates of Eleanor's property. Squire Lewknor and Ambrose Champernown had silently drawn their own conclusions, when, later on in the dusk of the evening, they had met two figures, one a tall girlish form, with loose white draperies fluttering in the evening breeze, the other a manly figure, well known to both, as an extravagant youth in search of a moneyed wife. Mr. Lewknor had uttered no remark, but a silent observer would have noted the different expressions on the men's faces, which the dual apparition apparently called up, the stern, sad face of the Squire, the cynical contempt of the younger man. And yet their chance com panionship in the still gloaming had only been an accidental circumstance.

Miss Lewknor had forgotten a message which she had ELEANOR LE WKNOR. desired to leave at a cottage, and it had been the most natural thing in the world, for the officer to offer his escort. The owner of Rayne Hall had several times seen his grand-daughter scouring the country on horseback, sometimes at break neck pace, or driving in her pretty pony carriage with her friends, but the only sign of recognition which had passed between them was the stiffest inclination from Eleanor, in response to his own distant acknowledgment. In the secret recesses of her heart, Eleanor was beginning to feel that there must be some truth in her grandfather's own state ment, namely, that he was changed from the haughty, imperious man of nineteen years ago. As yet she had avoided meeting his eyes. Still, she was conscious that when they rested upon her, there was a tender expression about his stern, melancholy features.

Occasionally her better feelings strove against the old hatred. She had even felt an impulse to obey a dictate within her, urging her to for give the past, but then her conscience had of late become somewhat obtrusive. The independent pride which characterized her, kept her back from entertaining seriously, any idea of a reconciliation. A few days since, Mrs. Gray had accompanied both the girls to return the visit of Miss Champernown and Mrs. Calverly, the aunt with whom that young lady lived. Ambrose had been present, but when coming away, they had concluded that the proprietor of Leytonbury Grange was a perfect bear in his own house. He had certainly exhibited a stiff courtesy, but his frigid politeness had been accompanied by such sarcastic remarks, and caustic sayings, that Eleanor had driven away in a very wrathful state, vowing she would never, under any pretence whatsoever, visit at the house again.

Notwithstanding Ada, his sister, was a very charming girl, and had won their complete admiration. Since the organ was approaching comple tion, Eleanor had spent most of her spare time practising upon the instrument, in readi ness for the Sunday service, and in endea vouring to train a few of the best voices in the parish to form an efficient choir, Miss Linwood rendering very effective assistance. The schoolmistresses were overjoyed at being asked to co-operate with Miss Lewknor, the church music having been, in years past, a very sore point with both of them. It was the Saturday evening before the Sunday, upon which the parishioners of Rayne, were to hear their new organ for the first time. Eleanor was seated at the instrument. The Miss Johnsons had just left the church, meekly hoping that their presence had not rendered Miss Lewknor nervous, and mildly suggesting that Mrs. Oxton required their assistance within doors.

It was scarcely true, for at that particular moment the vicar's wife had solemnly asked of her husband, in answer to his expressed disapproval of her intermeddling, with a view to improve the relations between the owners of Elgin House and Rayne Hall, whether he was aware, that she was generally accredited with the posses sion of that enviable quality, known as tact. In the privacy of the Vicarage study, Mrs. Oxton was explaining to her husband, that she felt it her duty to inform Miss Lewknor, upon the earliest opportunity, that obstinacy and an unforgiving temperament were incon sistent with the dutiful conduct, which, Mrs. Oxton considered, would better befit the grand-daughter of Squire Lewknor. The vicar had faintly given it as his opinion that any intervention on his wife's part would be superfluous, and had added a hope that she would mind what she was about, or she might get her ' fingers burnt.' But when his better half indignantly scorned his interference, in what she looked upon as duty, assuming a didactic and dogmatic mode of argument, the vicar ceased to expostulate.

Leaving the nieces to murmur apologetic and half-frightened excuses, as they closed the church door behind them, the young organist had entered with enthusiasm into the work before her, until the sound of a voice behind her shoulder reminded her of the outer world. " Your pilgrims have been a precious long time going ' through the night of doubt and sorrow.' " Amy, who did not rave over music, was getting tired of No. 274 out of Hymns Ancient and Modern. She sang a little, and could play an accompaniment if pressed. Beyond that she did not aspire. The young lady had been leaning over the pews with a lantern, and had inspected the fly-leaf of every prayer book, Mrs. Gray having left some time since. " Dobbs, do you want to go home ? " asked Eleanor, craning her neck round to the seat occupied by her groom, who was filling the post of blower.

" No, miss ; I like stopping." The reply came from the unseen corner. " Well, then, Amy, I shall remain till ten, so go home and finish ' The Devil's Dye.' " " Ten o'clock, indeed ! Why not say mid night ! " and Miss Challoner flung a white shawl over her head and marched off, pre sumably to learn what colour his Satanic majesty favours, or which shade of yellow goes best with his sulphureous surroundings. When Dobbs returned that night to his rooms in the village, he informed Mrs. Awl, his landlady, a person of extended circum ference and of hilarious countenance, " that she'd better keep her ears open on the follow ing morning, for his young lady knew how to play — she did. She'd show some of them that didn't know what music was, no more than brayin' donkeys, that it didn't consist in bellowin' at the top of their voices, like a church full of mad bulls, or ravin' lunatics," for he, Mr. Dobbs, had been uncertain in his mind, the first Sunday he had had the honour to attend the service at Rayne Church, whether, or no, he had not dropped into Bedlam.

It will be seen that Mr. Dobbs was of exparochial origin. In consequence of her lodger's kindly advice, Mrs. Awl, whose circle of listening acquaintance was large, gave it out an hour before church time on Sunday morning, that " 'er noo lodger, the yung man as was coach mun to Miss Looknor, did say that the young lady was wonderful clever at the noo orgin, and that she advised 'um to go and 'ear for themselves." Such advice was all the more powerful in effect, because it came from Mrs. Awl, who was known to scorn the vicar's sermons. The good woman's memory clung to associa tions of a former occupant of the pulpit, which, whenever they came uppermost in her mind, were greatly to the depreciation of the present vicar's merits. " Lor ! " she often said to her tea-cup friends, her hands supported by voluminous hips of unknown solidity, " Oxton ain't wuth sittin' hunder.