Armstrong Magney

Chapter I

" The consciousness of good, which neither gold, Nor sordid fame, nor hope of heavenly bliss, Can purchase ; bnt a life of resolute good, Unaltered will, quenchless desire Of universal happiness, the heart That beats with it in unison, the brain, "Whose ever wakeful wisdom toils to change .Reason's rich stores for ita eternal weaL" — Shelley. Perhaps the pleasantest hours of the pleasant ■week at Hamerton Parsonage were the hours of Monday morning. The good rector permitted him self' then the longest rest from his active parish duties. The pulpit engagements were just over, leaving a sense of fatigue very slightly marked, and generally, less slightly marked, a sense of B satisfaction that was humble and devout enough, doubtless. Aud the various duties of the week, to which the rector gave himself with most un sparing assiduity, were not yet commenced. 'Twas a little lull in the parsonage activities, a pleasant and not unneeded breathing-time.

And the week's engagements began so agreeably too. It was the rule that the two curates should spend an hour or two with the rector every Monday morning, when they talked over Church affairs, their new mission-chapel, the Sunday schools ; consulted about the formation or improvement of some benevolent society, or reading-room, or workmen's club ; or, maybe, remarked on the at tendance or absences at church; the conference generally ending with some plan for the special work of the week. To Mrs. Clayton, possibly, the Monday mornings made very little difference, for all days were as much alike, and as monotonously delightful, as days are likely to be to a comfortable, gentle hearted woman, whose largest anxieties were about the number of drops of pulsatilla or nux vomica to be given to her poor and very grateful patients.

But the daughter was not quite so indifferent. The Monday morning was almost as special to her as to her papa. For two extra seats were always placed at table in the bright, pleasant breakfast-room, and the flowers in the glass stands were always more carefully arranged that morning, and Miss Clayton looked, if possible, more fanand charming than usual. One of these extra seats was always occupied, for George On slow, the new curate, never failed to come ; but, once in three times, perhaps, Mr. Magney did not come till breakfast was over, and the Reverend Augustus Lane Clayton had withdrawn to the study with Mr. Onslow. Privately, Miss Clayton did not consider these Mondays pleasant. It was slightly provoking that Mr. Magney should want to study so much, and visit the people so much, and ride so much, that he could not always spare the whole Monday morning.

On ther present bright April Monday morning, the prolonged breakfast had at length been con cluded Avithout Mr. Magney making his appearance. As the rector and Mr. Onslow moved to the study, Miss Fanny made up her mind to happen to be crossing the hall just as Mr. Mag ney arrived — if she felt courageous enough. But a full hour passed, and she had no need to test her resolution. By that time, in the study, Mr. Clayton was giving some parting directions to Mr. Onslow. " Then you'll call and see why Gregson was not at church ; and please bring me word in the ves try to-night how poor Mrs. Andrews is. By the bye, what a capital voice that little dark-eyed boy of hers has ! — he might well be trained for the choir, I think ; and you will take the mission service next Wednesday ?" " Oh yes, with very much pleasure ; and I will be careful to attend to all the work you have honoured me with," said Mr. Onslow, rising to go.

" There is a vast deal to be done in the place before it will be all Christ's kingdom," the good rector said, in the earnest tone most common to him. Then, in a moment or two, " How strange it is Armstrong is not here ! I do not think lie ever failed to come on a Monday morning before. Perhaps he has gone to see the progress of his church, and has been detained by the builder. I hope he is not ill." There was a slight anxiety in the rector's tone. He fancied that Arm strong Magney had not looked perfectly well of late. " I should very much like to consult with you on a matter of some delicacy," Mr. Onslow said, after a short pause ; " and you are too good, I know, to think it presumptuous." " Oh no, my dear Sir ; pray, what is it ." Mr. Onslow seated himself again, and began. " It is not necessary for me to make any profession of the deep regard I feel, with yourself, Sir, and every one else, for Mr. Maguey.

But this profound esteem only makes me the more solici tous about him. I feel it may be an imperti nence, my speaking to you of what you already know, doubtless, far better than I do, yet in good conscience I must speak." As the good rector simply inclined his head, and looked slightly puzzled, Mr. Onslow con tinued — "Some people are beginning to doubt whether Mr. Magney is orthodox. I trust there is no public rumour, yet, that might prove injurious to the church, and detrimental to his usefulness; but frequently the people question me about this in the course of my visitation. But, doubtless, Sir, they have spoken to you much more freely." "And what have you said to them, Mr. On slow?" The rector's tone indicated the faintest amount of vexation. " Oh ! at first I simply negatived all such suggestions.

I reminded them what a faithful clergyman he had always proved himself, and said that they must have misunderstood his meaning; not unlikely, I reminded them, as he speaks so fervidly, and without notes, and so might easily express rather inaccurately what he really intended. But lately, I confess, when I have heard his sermons, I have feared there was an unsoundness iu them. But I defer to you, Sh ; I am sure you will not mind me thus con sulting you." "Unsoundness in Armstrong ! Do not suffer the thought a moment, Mr. Onslow. Would to God the clergy — all of us — were like him. Why, he has done more good in the town in these three years than any of us in thrice the time. Think how all the poor neighbourhood near the church that is building for him has been transformed through his labours."

Mr. Clayton rose, and walked up and down, and his tone as he con tinued showed deep emotion. He was now saying aloud what he had so often said to himself when the thought of the possible heterodoxy of Armstrong had presented itself to his mind. " I never knew a young clergyman like him, so zea lous, so able, so unselfish. I could never get hold of the working men ; but they crowd to hear him, not only when he lectures, but when he preaches. Till he came we could never get the able people in the congregation to take any per sonal interest in the poor, or in schools ; and now lawyers and doctors help at our lectures, and ladies nurse the sick. God has a great work for this young servant of his ; and surely it is im possible that God would let him wander into error. God may have taught him more truth than he has us, because he is more worthy to receive it.

INo ; Armstrong cannot have gone wrong. Let us remember that much of our religious phraseology, and of our doctrinal formulas, may be rather old wrappings of the living truth than necessary expressions of it; and if Magney's preaching has been singularly free of this for the past few months, surely we have felt its spiritual power all the more. God knows I have. His words pierce, and show the inner rottenness of our Christian pharisaism, and leave nothing for any of us but repentance and the grace of God. And his zeal grows ; his labours multiply ; not a Paul could be more incessant in all manner of work for others. No, no, do not fear, Mr. Onslow. God will not forsake his devoted ser vant. But if we do fear at all, let us pray for him ; let us especially pray that the devil may obtain no advantage over him."

It was not in Mr. Onslow's nature to have a great deal of unselfish devotion, but at least he felt how beautiful was the enthusiasm of the rector for his young friend. Meanwhile, a sharp, definite, well-known knock at the door, informed them that Arm strong Magney had arrived. Both were glad that something prevented Magney coming at once to the study, for neither wished the pro longation of the morning conference in his presence. After such a talk, it would be plea santer to see Magney alone ; so thought the rector, certainly. Onslow was not quite so pleased that Armstrong had not at once come to the study, when he saw him standing within the open door of the drawing-room with Miss Fanny. Mr. Onslow simply bowed, and passed out at the hall-door. Miss Clayton had found that she was not too timid to be crossing the hall as the servant opened the door for Armstrong Magney.

So it was quite natural that she should advance to meet him, and say in a tone of some anxiety, " We hope nothing unpleasant has detained you so long, Mr. Magney ; we were almost alarmed, for you never fail of your duty, and we think that is here on Monday mornings." The fair, soft-eyed girl wondered afterwards that she could have been so courageous. " It was very good of you to feel at all con cerned," Armstrong repHed. " I knew Mr. Clayton would be expecting me, and though I fail often enough in other duties, yet you know I never do in the very pleasant one of coming here on Mondays." Miss Fanny knew far better than he did, how often he missed being present at breakfast. "And then, to-day," Armstrong continued, " I hastened, indeed, as much as I could, and am not without excuses that I trust will be thought sufficient."

It was very pleasant to have Armstrong quite to herself a few moments. Most people liked to hear his clear, full voice, so low in quiet talk, and only loud and ringing in impassioned moments in the pulpit ; and perhaps Miss Clayton liked to hear this voice better than most people. She made two steps within the drawing-room, saying as she went, " Papa feared you might be unwell this morning, after your hard work of yesterday ; but you are so strong, you can work always and feel nothing." She said this with a very frank smile, and very innocently. She often thought Armstrong was hard-hearted, though not to the poor, but she did not mean to express this thought. "Yes, I am glad I am strong, else I could not do my work." Armstrong took a step forward, and so stood leaning just within the door.

" I felt a little wearied with yesterday's duties, and so prolonged my morning's ride. Indeed, I took a gallop over the downs to Kelsham ; then, observing an unusual group in the village, I rode right on, and found that widow Gange was dead. Poor creature, her sufferings have been very severe ; I could not feel sorry that they were over. However, the neighbours were making a great to-do, especially about little Polly, whom they thought of sending to the poor-house. Well, it suddenly occurred to me, that the poor-house that would every way suit best, was Jannings's, in Paradise Row. "What, the stone-mason's, who gets so tipsy ! " Fanny looked up with a puzzled smile. No one could help noticing how pretty she looked so. "Yes, exactly. I believe in all sorts of won ders, and reckon life to be fairy-land."

Arm strong spoke more gaily than was his wont, and was evidently much amused at what he had seen, or at his present narration of it. "Jan nings is a good-hearted fellow at bottom, though a httle rough in his way, and with a decidedly unpleasant knack of making his hand heavy when he touches his wife in a tiff. But one day at the church, I observed him fling down his mallet and chisel, and coax a plump Httle tod dling rascal over to him by the allurement of some sweets, which he got out of the depths of one of his pockets. A fellow who keeps sweets to give away to children, ought to make a better figure in life than Tarn Jannings does, I thought. And so the reason of his wildness flashed on me. The man is disappointed because he has no children, I concluded ; and that is why his wife's tongue is a little sharp.

The ' stringing pretty words that make no sense ' to some prat tling baby, would sweeten it. Well, to make sure, next day I managed an opportunity to talk about our schools, and the children, and to ask, 'Tarn, did you ever have a little one?' — 'One,' said he, 'and it died,' and his eyes grew dim. But I must apologize ; what a long story I'm making." " Oh, do go on," replied Miss Clayton, rather beseechingly, " I am so interested. So you thought of giving Polly Gange in charge to Mrs. Jannings?" "Yes, I got the women presently to cease talking, and to make up a soft bundle of the child's few poor things ; and then I threw them in front of my saddle, and held Polly on them as gently as I could, and all her sobs were soon hushed in the wonder of a quiet canter over the downs to her new home.

She is only two years old, so she wiU soon forget her mother, and will love Mrs. Jannings instead." Miss Fanny would have admired Armstrong's kindness and tact still more, if she had known how he had overcome the objections of Mr. and Mrs. Jannings, and that he had arranged to give them a few shillings a week for the child's sup port. Nearly all Armstrong's small private in come was expended in similar ways. Mr. Clayton came down with Mr. Onslow, and heard, in brief, the account of Armstrong's morning adventure from his daughter, before he re entered the study with Mr. Magney. Ii

Chapter II

" Yor; are always welcome, Mr. Magney ; I wish your duties and mine allowed us more time for friendly talk. With all that you read and ob serve, you must have a great deal to communi cate." Mr. Clayton was half intending to pro ceed at once to the difficult matter on which he had been talking with Mr. Onslow, and which he had long been wishing to speak upon with his favourite helper; but some uneasiness of sphit prevented him commencing yet, so he struck into matters more indifferent. " Will you not put yourself up on the couch ? You need a rest after your long ride. That's where I try to think out my sermons when I feel tired and weak. We are not all gifted with the faculty of instantaneous sermon-making, as you are." There was no suspicion of depreciation in the smile with which the rector said this.

"Well, you know, my dear Sir, that is where all reading and experience go ; all just as natu rally flows into sermons as the juices of the plant go into flowers, whether dandelions or dahlias. It is simply nature; but it is very convenient to me, for if I had to study each sermon long, I could not get through half my work." " But do take more care not to overwork your self. We reaUy cannot spare you time to be ill. Now, is it right of you to take that Saturday night meeting at the benefit club ?" "Oh, that is only relaxation to me; and the feUows like it. There were more than fifty last Saturday, and half of them, I suppose, would otherwise have been in the pubhc-house. It's very easy ; not work at all. I read Shakespeare or Shelley, or Browning or Tennyson, or perhaps a piece from Maurice or Carlyle, and then we talk over it.

It is astonishing what clever remarks they make, too. It often helps my ser mons. And you see how regularly many of them come to church now ?" There was a very plea sant, bright glance of the eyes as this was said. "Yes, you are always right, Armstrong; but don't be too eccentric. We are watched very narrowly, and may easHy bring reproach on our sacred vocation." Armstrong's countenance showed some emotion as he listened to this. The rector observed it, and quickly went on, — " I quite know you are as sen sitive of this as any one, and do all that you do to bring honour to our sacred cause ; but in larger or in smaller matters, any of us may make mis takes. And sometimes small errors, insignificant breaches of petty conventionalism, may bring re sults far from insignificant. Is it wise of you, Mr. Magney, to go into that workman's shed, and use a labourer's chisel ?"

Mr. Clayton asked this with evident hesitation, but the other's countenance at once cleared, as he replied, " 'Tis only early in the morning I do this, and quite rarely — and I need some muscular exer tion, and it will so pleasure me to see pieces of my own work in my church when it is done — and it so encourages the workmen, and evidently helps them to see that hand-labour is not ig noble, but that a man's soul can trace itself in the shaping of a medallion, or boss, or moulding. Why, some of the men will soon be artists in then work; and then besides, Sir, it is just thus that I get what hold on them I have, to raise them to better things than sottishness and infidelity." One could not easily touch Armstrong any where without striking on some enthusiasm. Meaning, only too deep, filled all his life, and, to his eyes, filled all the world.

The good, quiet, earnest rector often felt that three months of Armstrong's ardent life would kill him, and sometimes expressed his fears that Armstrong was consuming his life too rapidly. " What then?" Armstrong would reply, in his clear way ; " I shall have burnt up some few weeds and some rubbish, maybe, and have melted some hon ready for others' shaping. My fire must blaze rather than smoulder. I can't help it." Presently a neatly-dressed maid, Annette, tapped c at the door, and brought in a dainty dejeuner service with hot coffee. "Mistress thought Mr. Magney might not have had time for breakfast this morning, or be needing some refreshment after his ride." "It is very kind indeed," said Mr. Magney. " I remember now that I did forget all about breakfast this morning. Polly put all thoughts of it out of my head."

Perhaps some other thoughts had helped to do this. After discussing and settling various church matters, with considerable effort Mr. Clayton nerved himself to break to Armstrong the rumour of his heterodoxy. Once this charge meant rude persecution, imprisonment, death. It is not quite certain that, translated into the refinement of our day, it does not sometimes mean solitude deeper than dungeons, and flames fiercer than the stake. With a peculiar expression of anxiety deep in the eyes, which was not quite so uncommon as Mr. Clayton would have thought, the young clergyman replied, — " Judged after the standard of popular theology, if there be indeed any standard for notions so fluctuating and incon sistent, I am doubtless heterodox; but not, I venture to believe, if judged by our Church confessions and by the Holy Scriptures.

Yes, the people are right who suppose that I do not believe that any of God's creatures will be lost for ever — abandoned by their Maker to hope less woe." " Go on," very gently said the rector. " Oh, Sh, all my love to my fellow-men, and all my reverence for the good God, is shocked utterly at the thought that these miserable mil lions of souls, who cannot save themselves, whose lives here are so poor and painful, should be doomed to an endless existence of shame and woe. What a character the dread Being would have, who willingly brought these miserable creatures into existence, foreknowing that such would be their fate ! Now, it seems to me that the whole revelation of God in the written word, and in the incarnate Word, is given to save me from such despairing thoughts. Forgive me if I speak warmly.

On this subject I never speak yet, for I cannot control myself. Does not God C say in His word that He will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth; that He was in Christ, reconciling the world, and not merely a part of it, unto Himself; that God hath concluded all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all; that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world ; that in the dispensation of the fulness of times God will gather together in one all things in Christ ; that, finally, God will be all in all ? This is what I want to have faith enough to believe. But, dear Sir, you know all this — you feel it all. I know, from some expressions in yoiusermons, and in our prayers together, that you prize this great hope. Is it not so ?" "Yes, yes, I do hope this, but not confidently.

There are difficulties, — there are doubts. Many passages of the word of God glow with this hope, and our Church permits it. She teaches us that Christ died not only for us, but for 'all mankind,' and refused a permanent place to a fortieth article in which the everlasting perdition of the wicked was asserted. But the Church has never yet been ripe enough in grace to be entrusted with the full perception of this doctrine, and, I fear, is not advanced enough yet. And it is a doctrine altogether dangerous for the world at present, and would be perverted to the encou ragement of evil. ' Why should we abstain from sinning,' men would say, 'if we are sure to get to heaven at last ?' Men must learn that sinning is hell, and goodness heaven, before the final sal vation of all can be safely preached.

And let us remember that God has not told us everything, and that His stewards are to use discretion in bringing things out of the treasury. The Lord instructed the people ' as they were able to bear it,' and hid many things till the right time came for disclosing them. Permit me to pray you to be prudent. Ill-advised speech may disturb many minds, and do grievous damage to the souls of the simple. Take care, my dear young brother. May God show you the truth, and make you wise. At least, defer all utterance on this awful and difficult subject tiU you are in your own church, and are responsible to no one but the bishop and God. It is only a few months. Do not let our closing relations be in the least embittered. It would be too painful for me. I could not bear it." The two men stood close together, hands grasped.

No more could be said. Both were too profoundly affected. There are very big hearts beating under the close clerical garb, and theh goodness is, perhaps, no more conventional than that of any other class. As Armstrong slowly turned from the parsonage door, he thought, " I did not tell him all. I could not. But perhaps I shall never have to tell more, or not much more, to any one, not even to my own heart. God knows. God pity me ! After all, shall I ever preach in my beautiful new church ?"

Chapter III

" /dared it ! J drew mortals back to light, From meditated ruin deep as hell !— For which wrong I am bent down in these pangs Dreadful to suffer, mournful to behold, — And I, who pitied man, am thought myself Unworthy of pity, — while I render out Deep rhythms of anguish 'neath the harping hand That strikes me thus ! — a sight to shame your Zeus.' Prometheus Bound. Magxet's step was not particularly alert at first, as he slowly made his way homewards to his lodgings. But it presently became quick and elastic, and the habitual smile came hovering near to the lips which it became so well. There were ladies and washerwomen, and tradesmen and workmen, to be bowed to, or spoken with, as he passed down the streets; and the little children looking suddenly bright and dropping curtsies, or pulling at their caps, as he came by, — why, 'twould have been absurd to have done anything but smiled at them, and have given them a bright word.

Armstrong felt that he would have been a forcible reasoner indeed who could have induced any but the narrowest bigots in Hamerton to regard him as a heretic. Perhaps he should yet be incumbent of the new " All Souls," and preach in life and in words the beautiful power of practical Christianity, and show, too, that all the dogmas of the church could be lifted from vulgar contradictoriness to a higher region of philosophic truth. Yes, it might all be, for was not God good? So he pushed away his ugly fears, to make place for all his teeming plans of practical usefulness, and made his greetings very gaily as he passed down the streets. Armstrong was fond of keeping up all sorts of acquaintanceships, and of adding to their number. All these various people, with strong characters, or with good characters, or with none worth speaking of, he would like to study, to learn something of their mystery ; and besides, he wished to care for them aU as a true pastor, and "win them over to Christ and to goodness," if they were not yet living the higher life.

Armstrong was so popular among all sorts of people, because, I suppose, he had a generous na ture well-developed all round. He had the keenest sympathy with all the activities of the world. Art, and literature, and commerce, and social duties, were all sacred to him ; and the only worldliness he preached against or strove against was the worldhness of self-seeking, that stood opposed in his mind to the essential sphit of Christianity, joyful self-sacrifice. His sympathies were wide enough to include all the world, certainly all the world of Hamerton. The young men greatly ad mired him. It was a fine thing, they thought, that a clergyman so zealous and self-denying should share so many of theh tastes. Magney was one of the best riders in the place. When Captain Jermyn' s mare threw the groom and broke his head, and no one would try to get on the high-blooded creature, Armstrong stuck on her for four hours on the downs one morning, and taught her to be gentle.

There were not many riders in Hamerton who would have trusted themselves on Armstrong's own horse. ' Black Prince' was full of fire, but obeyed Armstrong's lightest word or touch. He often assisted at the grooming, for it was one of his many whims that the horse of a good man should love him. Though it was not agreeable to his sense of clerical pro priety to hunt, he sometimes took the bat on the large Hamerton green. " A clergyman," said he, " must get hold of the people, and so must show sympathy with them." And he handled the bat not badly. He was rather famous for running in at a ball, and taking a six-stroke ; but he did not guard his wicket well, and seldom made a high score. Last autumn he went with young Boutell, the banker, just away from Oxford, on a yachting expedition to the fiords of Norway, and had with cool bravery, and to the great admiration of Bou tell, who was an excellent sailor, rendered very effective help on several occasions when the little vessel's life was likely to have been dashed out in the violence of sudden storms.

Armstrong had a great idea that a clergyman should show "pluck," and prove that he was thoroughly a man. Perhaps, too, he did not greatly dread a fatal accident. A fling from a wild horse, or a wandering grave under the salt waves, was not so far from his mind. The past had been so full of the rush of a strong happy life, and the future now began to fill him with such dark presentiments of failure, that he would not unwillingly find an honourable end to life. And really he had aheady lived a long life in twenty-eight years. How Httle of all this did Boutell guess as they made the Alpine solitudes merry with theh laughter last autumn ; how lit tle of it all could any one in Hamerton yet guess. And so we all mingle together, and think each other very understandable, and perhaps commonplace, while each life is a mystery, and perhaps a tragedy.