"But as a brother clergyman, and as one who esteems you much and
wishes you well, I have thought myself bound to take this matter in
hand."
"What matter is it, Crawley?"
"Mr. Robarts, men say that your present mode of life is one that is
not befitting a soldier in Christ's army."
"Men say so! what men?"
"The men around you, of your own neighbourhood; those who watch
your life, and know all your doings; those who look to see you
walking as a lamp to guide their feet, but find you consorting with
horse-jockeys and hunters, galloping after hounds, and taking your
place among the vainest of worldly pleasure-seekers. Those who have a
right to expect an example of good living, and who think that they do
not see it." Mr. Crawley had gone at once to the root of the matter,
and in doing so had certainly made his own task so much the easier.
There is nothing like going to the root of the matter at once when
one has on hand an unpleasant piece of business.
"And have such men deputed you to come here?"
"No one has or could depute me. I have come to speak my own mind, not
that of any other. But I refer to what those around you think and
say, because it is to them that your duties are due. You owe it to
those around you to live a godly, cleanly life;--as you owe it also,
in a much higher way, to your Father who is in heaven.
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