CHAPTER XXX 446
grange , the row of scathed firs behind , and the patch of moorish soil , with the yew-trees and holly-bushes in front . I am obscure : Rivers is an old name ; but of the three sole descendants of the race , two earn the dependant ' s crust among strangers , and the third considers himself an alien from his native country -- not only for life , but in death . Yes , and deems , and is bound to deem , himself honoured by the lot , and aspires but after the day when the cross of separation from fleshly ties shall be laid on his shoulders , and when the Head of that church-militant of whose humblest members he is one , shall give the word , ' Rise , follow Me !'"
St . John said these words as he pronounced his sermons , with a quiet , deep voice ; with an unflushed cheek , and a coruscating radiance of glance . He resumed -
" And since I am myself poor and obscure , I can offer you but a service of poverty and obscurity . YOU may even think it degrading -- for I see now your habits have been what the world calls refined : your tastes lean to the ideal , and your society has at least been amongst the educated ; but I consider that no service degrades which can better our race . I hold that the more arid and unreclaimed the soil where the Christian labourer ' s task of tillage is appointed him -- the scantier the meed his toil brings -- the higher the honour . His , under such circumstances , is the destiny of the pioneer ; and the first pioneers of the Gospel were the Apostles -- their captain was Jesus , the Redeemer , Himself ."
" Well ?" I said , as he again paused -- " proceed ."
He looked at me before he proceeded : indeed , he seemed leisurely to read my face , as if its features and lines were characters on a page . The conclusions drawn from this scrutiny he partially expressed in his succeeding observations .
" I believe you will accept the post I offer you ," said he , " and hold it for a while : not permanently , though : any more than I could permanently keep the narrow and narrowing -- the tranquil , hidden office of English country incumbent ; for in your nature is an alloy as detrimental to repose as that in