Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/472

412 tion was given to the Catholic priest, who commanded his people not to speak to him, and loaded this godly and devoted man with evil epithets; saying that he was “the greatest devil that he had known among the Protestants.” The two brothers were entreated by the people not to leave them, and an offer of double pay was made to the elder of the two. But bribes, threats, and hard usage were equally unavailing. He told them that he left them, not because his pay was not sufficient, but because he sought the salvation of his soul; and he earnestly besought them to care for their eternal interests. At this, his enemies were the more enraged; and coming to him that same evening, treated him most abusively, kicking and otherwise cruelly using him. The brothers returned not railing for railing, but bearing reproach with meekness, in the midst of it prayed, as did our Lord, for their persecutors. Having been taken before the priest, they were asked why they wished to leave the church of Rome. They answered that the church of Rome presented the broad way to destruction; that they were seeking the narrow way to eternal life; and, therefore, must separate themselves from it. Upon this,