Might God have mercy on them, and His Spirit lead
them.
Mr. Allen and George had scarcely restrained themselves, and George,
notwithstanding his father's injunction, leapt up before the
concluding sentences were out of Mr. Broad's mouth. Mr. Scotton,
however, rose, and Mr. Allen pulled George down. Mr. Scotton wished
to say just one word. They could not, he was sure, overestimate the
gravity of the situation. They were called together upon a most
solemn occasion. Their worthy pastor had spoken as a minister of the
gospel. He, Mr. Scotton, as a layman, wished just to remind them
that they were exercising judicial functions--(Brother Bushel
fidgeted and got very red)--and that it was necessary they should
proceed in proper order. With regard to two of the charges, the
evidence was fully before them; that is to say, absence from public
worship and what might perhaps be thought want of consideration for
the peace of the church.--("Praps," grunted Bushel--"praps indeed.")-
-But with regard to the third charge, the evidence was NOT before
them, and as this was the most important of the three he would
suggest before going any farther that they should hear what Mr.
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