Even Warden, who did not know where his fate
would take him to next, expressed an almost extravagant anxiety for his
speedy presence in his own parish.
He loved his parish and his people with a peculiar pride and affection.
It was twelve years since he had gone to Upton--a young man just in
orders, and in the full glow of a fresh enthusiasm as to his duties. He
believed no office to be equal to that of a minister of Christ. And
though this glow had somewhat passed away, the enthusiasm had deepened
rather than faded with the lapse of years, His long illness and
exclusion from his office had imparted to it a graver tone. In former
days, perhaps, he had been too much set upon the outer ceremonials of
religion. He had been proud of his church and the overflowing
congregation which assembled in it week after week testifying to his
popularity. To pass along the streets of his little town, and receive
everywhere the tokens of respect that greeted him, had been exceedingly
pleasant. He had bent himself to win golden opinions, after quoting the
words of Paul, "I am made all things to all men, that by all means I
might save some.
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