These reverend gentlemen, one and all, gave it as their opinion that the Salem church members were among the least enlightened of the Lord's people, and that Milby was a low place, where they would have found it a severe lot to have their lines fall for any long period; though to see the smart and crowded congregation assembled on occasion of the annual charity sermon, any one might have supposed that the minister of Salem had rather a brilliant position in the ranks of Dissent.

Several Church families used to attend on that occasion, for Milby, in those uninstructed days, had not yet heard that the schismatic ministers of Salem were obviously typified by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and many Church people there were of opinion that Dissent might be a weakness, but, after all, had no great harm in it.

These lax Episcopalians were, I believe, chiefly tradespeople, who held that, inasmuch as Congregationalism consumed candles, it ought to be supported, and accordingly made a point of presenting themselves at Salem for the afternoon charity sermon, with the expectation of being asked to hold a plate.

Mr.Pilgrim, too, was always there with his half-sovereign; for as there was no Dissenting doctor in Milby, Mr.Pilgrim looked with great tolerance on all shades of religious opinion that did not include a belief in cures by miracle.
On this point he had the concurrence of Mr.Pratt, the only other medical man of the same standing in Milby.

Otherwise, it was remarkable how strongly these two clever men were contrasted.