Bolton moved uneasily in her pew,
for she knew he was going to preach a disagreeable sermon. It was not as
eloquent as many of his old ones; but it had a hundredfold more power.
His hearers had often been pleased and touched before; now they were
stirred, and made uncomfortable. Their responsibilities, as each one the
keeper of his brother's soul, were solemnly laid before them. The
listless, contented indifference to the sins and sorrows of their
fellow-men was rudely shaken. Their satisfaction in their own safety was
attacked. As clearly as words could put it, they were told that not one
of them could go to heaven alone; that there was no solitary path of
salvation for any foot to tread. As long as any fell because of
temptation, they were bound, as far as in them lay, to remove every kind
of temptation. If each one was not careful to be his brother's keeper,
then the voice of their brother's blood would cry unto God against them.
There was scarcely a person present who could listen to their rector's
sermon with feelings of self-satisfaction.
He left his pulpit at the close of it, troubled and exhausted.
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