Suddenly a deep voice close at hand roared out hoarsely, and my heart leaped in excitement, although I at once recognized it.
"You black-faced son of Belial," came a savage snort, "do you give all that food unto a dumb idol, when a Christian man, a ministering servant of the Most High, lies groaning with a stomach which has n't tasted food for four and twenty hours?
Possess you no bowels of compassion for the long sufferings of a fellow-man?
Come now, give me just a bite of the white meat, and yonder grinning wooden image will never miss it.
You won't, you spawn of Baal, yet I marked plain enough how you filled your own lean belly with the best there was." The straining of cords, together with sound of struggle, bore evidence that the Reverend Mr.Cairnes was making heroic effort to attain unto that food offered before idols.

That such strenuous effort was vain was soon proven by the bursting forth of his voice once more.
"Oh, gracious Lord," he cried, in a tone evidencing more anger than spiritual exaltation, "surely thy ancient servant Job never bowed before greater affliction than this now visited upon me.

Verily 't is even as the experiences of the Apostle Paul, yet without his reward in the flesh.

I beseech Thee from the depth of humiliation--even as did Daniel from the lions' den--loosen my arms that I may smite as with Thy wrath this profaner of Thy most holy name, thus bringing peace unto the smitten heart of Thy faithful servant.

O Lord, what have I done to be deserted in this hour of extremity?
As Elijah called down fire from Heaven, so I call upon Thee to smite with the terror of Thy might the ranks of these foul idolaters.