Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/80

96 come to an end, whilst this soul will last on, because it is immortal! It is too little which thou offerest, O World, and thou canst not have her! Now comes the second bidder; it is The Devil. How much, Satan, wilt thou bid for this soul?’ ‘All the power of the world, and the glory thereof.’ ‘But all the power of the world, and its glory, will pass away, whilst this soul wilt last on. Thou canst not have her, Satan, for thou offerest too little! The third bidder presents himself. Ah, that is the Lord Jesus! I expected no less of thee, O Lord! What, then, dost thou bid for this soul?’ ‘My peace in this life, and after it eternal bliss!’ ‘Take her, Lord, take her! She is thine, for a higher price no one can offer!’ ”

Berthollet added, that Lady Erskine was so affected by these words, that she made them a prophecy of the truth; she abandoned her worldly life of vanity, and became one of the principal supporters of the English church.

The assembly in the pine wood had, by degrees, gathered closely around Berthollet. Women sat in a half circle at his feet, their gentle countenances raised to him in a kind of astonishment, or bowed down in silent tears. The men stood around, with heads advanced, among the trees; as far as the eye could penetrate the woods, you could see listening, grave countenances, over whose powerful features passed again and again the expression of deep emotion. When the preacher ceased, they sang with life and ardor,—

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who announced to sinners thy grace, O Lord!” etc.