Friend or Foe?

A SEQUEL TO "OLIVER RAYMOND."

BY E. JOSEPH AXTON.

CHAPTER VII.-CHANGES.

Charac

SAVE in exceptional cases, character and habit are inseparable. By seeing one, we can determine the other; for if the one be good, the other cannot be bad. When shall we, so dull, and blind, learn more than half of this truth? ter declines, habit declines also. When shall we see equal truth in the reverse? Not before Experience has taken us in her iron grip and flogged the knowledge into us? Happy we, if we receive so excellent correction, and it bring repentance; happier if, fighting and conquering our dulness and blindness, we render such correction unnecessary.

Raymond's change of habit had not yet brought down upon him the chastising hand of Experience; he had not studied the change; he had not fought his dulness: wherefore, neither this knowledge nor this repentance was his; wherefore, also, his character was proceeding in its change.

This change of habit was not slight. Until the evening, late in August, when we were introduced to him, his chief pleasure had been in his daily work. Proud of his position as Mr. Bradford's chief, he had formed nearly every habit with reference to his being worthy of that position. Punctual as the clock, keen in buying, just in selling, strict in ruling his subordinates, he showed an example in habit which few city men, knowing him, did not heartily admire. As to his recreation, he seldom needed to go abroad. To say nothing of those innocent, cosy little games of cribbage with his uncle, or chess with Elsie, or whist with all three; of those merry tennis-parties; of those evenings with Shakespeare or Tennyson, when he, an excellent reader, so often delighted himself and his hearers-to say nothing of these, of the calm walks with Elsie in the beautiful Park so near; of his talks with her over old times, the glad present, or the rosy future, or of the many other simple, but no less real pleasures of those times; how many golden-winged hours had he spent in the workshop he had built himself at the end of the garden! With what quiet gladness he had sung amongst his tools and shavings! There it was, that he had turned out the pretty mahogany fret-work reading-desks, and the many little ornaments you saw in the sitting and other rooms. In that place had been made the ingenious cases in which stood, now silent for ever, those happy comrades of other days, Snow and Pop; there, Oliver had made the rustic seats scattered about the garden; there, he had designed and turned out the parts of the arbour that concealed the workshop; and there he had achieved the masterpiece of which he was pardonably proud, the beautiful inlaid workbox, a gift to Elsie on her twenty-first birthday.

In these simple habits one may see Oliver's character, as those about him saw it. Rising in the morning with a song in his heart, he was high-spirited and merry all day. Looking into his open face, you instantly felt you could trust him to any extent. Even the assistants at the shops and the warehouse, forgetting his Spartan rule, and remembering his appreciation of duty well done, regarded him with affection and admiration. As for Mr. Bradford, he thought the world contained no one approaching his adopted nephew. "What!" he said, one day when Mr. Weston, remembering that the whole business, including cheques and monies, was entirely under the young fellow's control, hinted at the possibility that Oliver had a little too much freedom-" he trusted too much! he led astray! First expect the skies to fall. I would trust that boy with my life and honour, not to mention my fortune."

"O, wad some power the giftie gie us,

To see oursels as ithers see us!"

might well have been the prayer on Oliver's behalf just now, for he did not know how great was the change in him since that August evening. He knew that his habits and character had changed, no doubt; but he did not know to

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what extent. Taxed with his danger, he would have asserted his possession of "a will of his own, which should keep him from excess." He knew he was a drinker; but little use your telling him he was not quite a moderate one; that his taste for the deadly stuff was growing stronger with every week that passed. He knew he was entranced by the play at the tavern (not entirely connected with billiards), but not that his day's duties were growing irksome because they kept night and its pleasures at a distance. He knew that he liked Rearden more than ever; that the frequenters of the billiard-room were congenial society; that his mind was constantly comparing Helena Drewe with Elsie Vaughan; that his workshop was dismal now, and would be were it still summer; that the pure atmosphere of home, the quiet game, the book, the walk, were all things that had lost their charm for him. But what use your telling him that Rearden's influence was growing mesmeric? that the accursed excitement of the billiard-room was mastering him; that Elsie, beside the flashing Helena who had fascinated him in a month, was growing insipid; and that the charm of those things which now attracted him was a charm as deadly as that which the bird sees in the serpent's eye? What use, alas! Ah for that giftie now, now, to spare him the last means of awakening, the finger of scorn and the whip of bitter grief!

Strangely enough, yet not strange to him who knows the world, the change gave general satisfaction. To Rearden first, for reasons which we too clearly see. To the Drewes-to whom Rearden, often in Oliver's presence, made many smiling excuses for his friend's strict "religiousness and simplicity"-because they saw he was trying to conform to their standard of opinion. To the assistants, who smiled to each other, "Our smart young manager is getting quite gay, isn't he ?" and exulted to think that his rule was now, and would be in the future, so much easier. To Mr. Bradford, who said: "Ah!" he's seeing. his way about a bit; he'll be the better business-man, by and bye, for the knowledge of the world he'll gain." And to all those to whose lives Oliver's had been so superior in its simple purity.

So far, the satisfaction was general. But there was one, standing aside and hiding her heart from everyone about her, who knew better than to rejoice.

Poor Elsie! Pride is a hard taskmistress to those who serve her, and Elsie had soon discovered that. For a few weeks after the quarrel she had found it easy to hold up her head scornfully. She had not sulked; she was better bred than that; but in the freezing politeness and quiet disdain which she never forgot to show him, she had expressed to Oliver, as well as she could have done it in words, the defiance her heart cherished. Once-and but once-Oliver had proposed chess, when they were alone; she remembered afterwards that his manner at the time seemed gentler, seemed to tell of a wish that the gulf between them might be filled in or bridged. But she had declined, freezingly, and he had gone out-where, she knew only too well.

But Pride is no victor where earnest Love is his opponent: the change

soon came.

Elsie had retired to her bed-room one night in December, but not to sleep. She sat before her open window-the night being unseasonably close, and she feeling hot and feverish-thinking and listening. The clock of St. Philip's Church had struck twelve some time, and Oliver had not yet come home-an event getting to be so common now as not to awaken surprise. She would wait for him-she would fling pride to the winds, for she could bear it no longer. Had he ceased to care for her? Why was he so cruel, so cruel! Three months, and not a smile, not a loving word from him. Ah, she was being hardly punished for those few foolish words in the beginning! Why had she not been wise, as any girl, worthy of being loved, would have been. Had she been gentle with him, had she been patient, had she but quietly, lovingly persuaded him— Ah, how different things might have been now! She rose and paced the room, the tears flowing fast. What was wretched pride where peace was concerned. And this Miss Drewe, so often and so mysteriously alluded to by Rearden-Who was she? Hark! Oliver is at the door.

A moment more and they are met in the hall: Oliver holding a candle he has just lit, she gazing wistfully into his face. His hand is before the candle, so that he stands in deep shadow; and standing so, he might suggest to an

CHANGE WITHOUT RELIEF.

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imaginative mind some strange thing of dread-some being that had come from regions of darkness, and had brought with him a mantle of nether gloom which no light could dispel. And the fancy might be but increased by a glance at the pale girl before him, with the full rays of light playing on her face and form, and revealing the grief and yearning in her manner as though she were an angel come to plead, and to point out one remaining hope.

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Oliver," she says, putting a hand on his arm, and speaking in a low, trembling whisper-while the shadow-rings about her eyes increase as she bends forward, intensifying the appeal in her gaze-" Oliver, I want you to forgive I have been wrong-unkind-but-I-I want you to forgive me. I con

me.

fess it all, Oliver-only-forgive me”—

The sentences are uttered brokenly, and the tears are blinding her, so that she cannot see clearly. In another moment she will have placed her head upon his breast and be sobbing out her repentance there. But a horror, entering into her heart as she gets a clear look at him before her, arrests her intention. What is it? What is this new expression in his face? Why does he look at her in that strange way?

Raymond staggers forward, nearly dropping the candle. Steadying himself, he smiles at Elsie-not his old bright smile, but one that will not bear description-and attempts to take her hand. But Elsie shrinks from him now as if he were a leper, and his touch contagion. And no wonder. She has never before been face to face with the transforming and unspeakable demon that now looks through Oliver's eyes.

Raymond evidently sees the change in Elsie, for his expression suddenly changes from playfulness to anger. He is about to speak; but before he can do so, she has turned, has flown up the stairs like a hunted spirit, has entered her room and locked herself in, and has flung herself on her bed, burying her face in her hands. She has been swift in all this-swift as the wind-but she has not been able to outrun the wild, mocking laugh that followed her. And she may bury her head deep, deep in the pillow, and try thereby to shut out the horrible echoes, but she can never bury it deep enough.

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My God, my God! forgive me for my share in this-forgive, forgive!" But while the prayer is moaned forth, while the sound of footsteps stumbling upstairs comes muffled to her ears, there is a hollow voice in her heart, like a voice from a tomb, seeming to mutter, Too late! Too late!

Change without Relief.

No great benefit can be reasonably expected from a change which does not involve complete or very considerable relief. Busy men go away with cares on their minds, and wonder they are not the better for their holiday. They do not perceive that they fail to release the mind from its tension. Unless a man can leave his troubles at home, it is little use for him to go abroad. What generally happens is an augmentation of anxiety. There is the feeling that something has been left undone before setting out, or a harrassing misgiving that all will not go well during his absence. Feelings like these will spoil the best holiday, and deprive it of its power to replenish the exhausted stock of energy. Another mistake made is to preserve close communication with a place of business during the period of nominal relaxation. If letters and business papers are passing between the absentee and the scene of his accustomed labour, it is impossible that his mental faculties can enjoy that perfect relief which is essential to their recuperation. Better, if need be, shorten the time of absence, so that it may be complete while it lasts. The body is so closely associated with, or so entirely pervaded by, the mind, and so immediately under its influence through the nervous system, that even physical improvement is impossible, except to the least emotional and most stolid of temperaments, unless the change obtained during a holiday tour involves and includes perfect relief from mental tension. To secure this relief should be one of the objects kept principally in view by the working members of a population which labours chiefly with its brains.-The Lancet.

Forward Movements.-New Chapels & Schools.

I.

ARNOLD.

THE memorial stones of the New Chapel were laid June 9, those of the school being laid two months ago. The latter building is now nearly complete.* The new chapel is being built on the site of the 1822 chapel. The architect is Mr. John R. Swift, of Arnold, and the style early Italian. It accommodates 450 persons, and is 46 feet long by 36 feet inside. The cost of chapel and school is £2,000. The builders are Messrs. Smith and Greaves, of Arnold.

At the

Mr. W. Richardson (Sec. of the Building Committee) read an address, and traced the history of the General Baptist body, stating that in 1770 they were men of broad views, Liberal politics, and New Testament practice. present time they had 30,000 members, with 190 places of worship; but their friends, the American Baptists, numbered two and a half millions. Grateful reference was made to Mr. Hatherly, who, sixty years ago, was brave enough to convey that plot of ground to them on which the chapel was built in 1822, and enlarged in 1845. Mr. J. Burton presented a silver trowel to Mr. J. Sharman (President of the Notts. Baptist Preachers' Association), who then laid the first memorial stone, and bore witness, based on half a century's knowledge of Arnold, to the work done, and to the fact that the new chapel was really needed. Silver trowels were presented to Messrs. W. Richardson, J. Gamble, and J. L. Young, by Messrs. J. Lawrance, T. Kirk, and W. Bowen, respectively, and they laid the remaining three memorial stones.

A public tea was provided in the British School-room, and in the evening a public meeting was held in the same school-room. W. Richardson presided, and addresses were given by Messrs. R. Foulkes Griffiths, G. H. James, J. Sharman, J. L. Young, W. Bowen, J. Gamble, J. Burton, and J. Lawrance. Collections, £92 7s. Od.

II.-COALVILLE.

Chapel and schools thoroughly renovated. New gas fittings and new heating apparatus have been secured, a new harmonium has been purchased, and £147 realized towards a cost of £230. The painting and decorating was entrusted to Mr. D. Orgill, of Measham, to whom great credit is due for the efficient and tasteful manner in which the work is carried out. The plain glass in windows at ends of chapel being replaced by tinted glass, which is considered a great improvement. The heating apparatus was entrusted to Mr. W. D. Stableford, and is successfully accomplished upon an improved principle. The chapel looks remarkably well, and is greatly admired. Successful re-opening services have been conducted by the Revs. J. C. Jones, M.A., J. Thew, and G. Barker.

III.-GEDNEY HILL.

Land has been secured for a new chapel in the centre of this village, plans prepared and discussed, and the contract for building a useful edifice accepted, and the FOUNDATION STONE will be laid on or about the first of July. This good work is under the direction of our Local Preachers' Association of the Eastern Conference, and help in it will be gladly welcomed by the Treasurer, Mr. W. R. Wherry, of Bourne, or the Secretary, Mr. T. P. Allatt, of Hacconby. Such enterprise as this ought to be abundantly encouraged. The cost will be about £350.

The last anniversary services in the old chapel were conducted May 20th by Mr. T. Wilcox, of Dyke. Tea and public meeting followed on the 21st, and addresses were given by Messrs. T. Wilcox, T. Newbold, and the Conference Secretary, T. P. Allatt.

III.-HYSON GREEN.

THE memorial stones of a commodious chapel in Palin Street, between Birkin Avenue and Radford Road, Hyson Green, were laid with auspices most encouraging and indicative of future success. Rev. R. Silby, the pastor, conducted the proceedings, and there were present-Mr. Councillor

*Cf. G. B. Mag., 1883, p. 190.

FORWARD MOVEMENTS.

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Bayley, Mr. A. Brownsword, Revs. Prof. Goadby, J. J. Fitch, W. R. Stevenson, M.A., J. R. Godfrey, W. Chapman, J. Maden, J. B. Nichols, R. F. Griffiths, Messrs. C. Forth, T. Green (Secretary), J. B. Shaw (Treasurer), Horace Walker, C. Walker, W. B. Baggalley, C. Pilkington, J. Shepherd.

Mr. THOMAS GREEN, the secretary of the Building Committee, read the statement of the origin of the movement as follows:-It is now nearly four years since we first talked seriously about building a new chapel. The matter was then allowed to rest for 14 months, when more vigorous efforts were made to secure a site, the idea being to obtain one while the land was in the market, and to build a chapel when we were in a position to do so. But the great increase of population which in 1871 was 3,685 had risen in 1881 to 6,708, and has since even more rapidly increased, and the consequent increase of attendance at worship has compelled us to begin to build. We see the increase of population demands that we should build a larger and more convenient place of worship than we now possess, and we do not for a moment fear but that when it is erected the support we shall receive from the increased congregation will enable us to carry on the work successfully. Our present chapel is uncomfortably crowded on Sunday evenings, and doubtless many are waiting for the new one before identifying themselves with us. As an evidence

of the spirit in which the ministrations of our pastor, the Rev. R. Silby, are appreciated by the new population, I may mention the fact that during the year we have received into church fellowship upwards of twenty members, all of whom have come from various parts of the country to reside in Hyson Green, and of course the congregation has increased in a similar manner from the same source. The Sunday-school was never in a more flourishing condition. The school-rooms are very much overcrowded; in fact, if we had inspectors visiting our Sunday schools as at day schools, very serious complaints would be made of our arrangements. It is to remedy this state of things, and to provide for future generations, that we are building these premises. The number of scholars now on the roll is 315; taught by a staff of 39 teachers. The site cost £660. The chapel when completed, with galleries at sides and one end, will accommodate about 635 adults, that at present proposed being for 500. Its greatest internal dimensions are 68ft. in length, 39ft. in width, and 35ft. in height. The seating will be of pitch pine. The ceiling will be vaulted with ribs and white deal boarding. There will be two stone staircases, with separate entrances, giving access to the galleries, and a large centre entrance with access to both ground floor and galleries. Two vestries are provided and a large platform in which will be the baptistry, and which will also be used as a choir platform. The front gable will rise 44ft. above the pavement in Palin Street, and the tower about 75ft. above same street to top of iron finial. At present, however, it is not intended to complete the side galleries and the tower staircase. The school premises consist chiefly of two school-rooms, one 48ft. by 24ft. and the other 26ft. by 19ft., which may be made into one large L shaped room by opening coiling partitions. In addition there is a separate room for infants, 20ft. by 14ft., and three other class-rooms, one of which can be opened so as to form a gallery to the smaller schoolroom. A fourth class-room can be formed in the unfinished tower staircase. One of the staircases will communicate with the school-room, from which also separate access to the chapel galleries has been provided. The building will be faced on all sides with Bulwell red brick, with Bath stone dressings, and the windows will be glazed with tinted cathedral rolled plate glass. The architect (Mr. J. W. Chapman, of London,) has selected Early English Gothic as the basis of his design, but necessarily has had to modify many points to suit the practical requirements of the congregation. Mr. J. R. Morrison, contractor, of Hyson Green, is the builder, and Mr. G. M. Jay is the clerk of the works.

Mr. J. B. SHAW, the treasurer, submitted the financial statement. Total gifts £1,535 10s. 11d. Cost of site and building £4,600.

The four stones were laid by Mr. Councillor Bayley, ex-sheriff; Mr. A. Brownsword for Broad Street Church; Mr. Forth for Mansfield Road; and Mr. T. Green for Hyson Green Church.

In the evening a public meeting was held in Tennyson Street Chapel, the Mayor (Ald. Lindley) presiding. There were also present Revs. Dr. Paton, R. Silby, Professor Goadby, B.A., E. Medley, B.A., J. F. Makepeace; Messrs. R.