Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/181

Rh of them my own.’ He told me he did the same when he was a boy, and that they had been his vade mecum ever since. I could not help loving the man who had drunk with me at the same spring in life’s morning. We had so much common ground on which to stand, that we touched little on those points in which we differed.”

There was not much civil or religious liberty at that time in Rome. There was no Protestant church allowed within the walls. There was a very ritualistic Episcopal church outside the Porta del Popolo, and just inside was a church where Cardinal Manning preached every Sunday afternoon. It was a common saying among the English residents that the high church rector brought them to the gate of Rome, and Cardinal Manning opened it and took them in. Mr. Carter greatly enjoyed hearing Cardinal Manning, and went quite regularly for a while, at times when there was no Protestant service. The Free Church of Scotland was trying to establish a mission in Rome, and had sent there the Rev. Mr. Lawton, an able and interesting preacher, who held services in his own apartments, he having chosen a large and pleasant parlor with this object in view. The services were very simple and delightful, Mr. Lawton appropriately choosing the Epistle to the Romans as the subject of his sermons. The audience were constantly reminded of the apostle who had “dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all who came in unto him.” As the little conventicle was held only on sufferance, though the authorities doubtless knew of its existence, it was thought best not to call attention to it by singing, and the congregation was requested to enter and retire in little groups of twos and threes. All this