You admit this sort of principle so far, because you're obliged; but the moment anybody wants (in a spirit of perfect reverence and desire to do good) to extend it to higher things, you purse up your lips, shake your head, and talk about Rationalism--as if that was an answer! Well! well! it's no use talking--go your own way--I wash my hands of the business altogether.

But now I _am_ at it I'll just say this one thing more before I've done:--your way of punishing the boy for his behavior in church is, in my opinion, about as bad and dangerous a one as could possibly be devised.

Why not give him a thrashing, if you _must_ punish the miserable little urchin for what's his misfortune as much as his fault?
Why not stop his pudding, or something of that sort?
Here you are associating verses in the Bible, in his mind, with the idea of punishment and being locked up in the cold! You may make him get his text by heart, I dare say, by fairly tiring him out; but I tell you what I'm afraid you'll make him learn too, if you don't mind--you'll make him learn to dislike the Bible as much as other boys dislike the birch-rod!" "Sir," cried Mr.Thorpe, turning suddenly round, and severely confronting Mr.Goodworth, "once for all, I must most respectfully insist on being spared for the future any open profanities in conversation, even from your lips.

All my regard and affection for you, as Mrs.Thorpe's father, shall not prevent me from solemnly recording my abhorrence of such awful infidelity as I believe to be involved in the words you have just spoken! My religious convictions recoil--" "Stop, sir!" said Mr.Goodworth, seriously and sternly.
Mr.Thorpe obeyed at once.

The old gentleman's manner was generally much more remarkable for heartiness than for dignity; but it altered completely while he now spoke.