Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/79

Rh really mighty to rouse souls out of a state of lethargy and dullness.

Amongst the various anecdotes, some striking, some affecting, which he poured forth out of his cornucopia over the assembly, I particularly remember the following, which he related in the most admirable manner:

“Some years ago, one of the most remarkable of the so-called street preachers in London, was a man named Rowland Hill. One day, the rich and worldly Lady Erskine came driving in her carriage across the very market-place where he was preaching. Seeing the crowd assembled round him, she ordered her carriage to stop, and inquired what was going forward, and was told that it was Rowland Hill, who was preaching to the people. She had heard speak of him, and curious to hear him herself, she alighted from her carriage, and accompanied by her servants, made her way into the crowd, which immediately opened for the elegant lady; and at once, without suffering himself to be disturbed by her presence, Rowland exclaimed:

“ ‘My friends, here comes a soul which is to be put up for auction!’

“The people were startled, and some laughed. This rich, grand lady, to be sold by auction! Lady Erskine advanced nearer, and Rowland Hill continued:

“ ‘I see three buyers about to bid for her. The first is called The World. Well, what wilt thou give, oh World, for this soul?’ The World replies, ‘Pleasures, ornaments, flatteries, festivities, for every day of her life!’ ‘All pleasures, and flatteries, and festivities, will