So  terrific  was  the  transition,  that  as  his  congrega-
tion caught  his  expression  they  arose  as  one  man  to
their  feet,  and  waited  with  suspended  shriek  upon  their
lips  to  hear  their  doom.  It  was  delayed  a  moment
while  the  minister  struggled  for  utterance,  and  then  the
voice  came  shaking  and  quavering,  and  broken  with
the  agony  which  overwhelmed  him,  and  in  the  terrible
silence  they  heard :

"My  dear  friends,  I  have  just  received  news  :  news
which  wrings  my  heart  for  myself,  for  you,  and  for
your  children ;  news  which  makes  it  improbable  that  I
will  meet  you  in  this  house  again  for  a  long  time.  I
thank  you  for  your  unfailing  kindness  and  love,  which
have  brightened  my  life.  Farewell :  go  quietly  to  your
homes,  and  remember  amidst  these  waves  of  sorrow
that  your  Father  holds  the  helm."  He  then  pro-
nounced the  benediction.
There  is  a  grief  which  scorches  the  tear-drops  ere
they  fall ;  imd  the  great  groan  which  burst  from  the


OF  THE  LATE  ^YAn.  373

heart  of  that  assembly  of  people  was  the  only  sound
which  demonstrated  the  agony  of  the  moment.  Faces
were  distorted,  but  the  moisture  which  cools  the  brain
was  denied  them.  Friend  grasped  the  hand  of  friend,
as  on  the  eve  of  a  long  parting,  or  a  meeting  where  life's
hopes  lie  dead ;  words  were  few  and  brief;  comforters
there  were  none,  all  were  mourners.  The  men  hur-
ried out  into  the  street  to  gain  fuller  intelligence,  and
the  women,  as  if  the  fire  already  consumed  their  homes,
hurried  to  their  children.
