Page:Groves - Memoir of Anthony Norris Groves, 3rd edition.djvu/52

 said, first opened to him, while searching the scriptures in Dublin. After one of their happy prayer-meetings, already mentioned, it was asked by one of the party, “Are there no principles in the word of God, which would unite all believers in worship, whatever might be their various views or attainments in the divine life?” Mr. Groves replied, “Yes, there are: we are evidently called to know nothing among our fellow-Christians, but this one fact—Do they belong to Christ? Has Christ received them? then may we receive them, to the glory of God.” To what happy results would these simple truths lead, among God’s people. Even where they did not overthrow any mere human systems, they would help forward fellowship and intercourse among all Christians.

“On my return with our dearest B., she proposed to me to take charge, on Sundays, of her little flock, at Poltimore. I cannot, perhaps, convey to you the repugnance that I had; first, because I really disapproved on principle; and, secondly, because I saw that it would stand in the way of my procuring ordination; yet it worked on my mind till I could not but go; and I went. Dearest B. had, for some time, sunk the keen controversialist in the tender and kind friend. She felt how ignorant I was, and treated me accordingly; yet so sweetened it by a lively and real interest, that I never could doubt she loved me; and the more I saw into her holy, unselfish soul, the more I regretted I ever felt alienated from her; and, by a natural sort of revulsion of feeling, now drew to her so much the more. She kept instructing me, as my obstinacy and self-will would allow, yet always bore most gently and lovingly with me; and I look up to her, and love her now as my mother, in the things of God; and to this day, when others have disappointed me, her love has never failed. … Yet I only allowed this going to Poltimore as a particular exception, in consequence of the notorious inadequacy of the clergyman there. I had never yet gone near a dissenting place of worship. During this time, dear