Nor could anything be asserted, he said further to himself, as his duty in respect of this child, that was not equally his duty in respect of every little wanderer in the streets of his parish.

That a child's ancestors had been favoured above others, and had so misused their advantages that their last representative was left in abject poverty, could hardly be a reason why that child, born, in more than probability, with the same evil propensities which had ruined them, should be made an elect object of favour.

Who was he, Clement Sclater, to intrude upon the divine prerogative, and presume to act on the doctrine of election! Was a child with a Sir to his name, anything more in the eyes of God than a child without a name at all?
Would any title--even that of Earl or Duke, be recognized in the kingdom of heaven?
His relatives ought to do something: they failing, of whom could further requisition be made?
There were vessels to honour and vessels to dishonour: to which class this one belonged, let God in his time reveal.

A duty could not be passed on.

It could not become the duty of the minister of a parish, just because those who ought and could, would not, to spend time and money, to the neglect of his calling, in hunting up a boy whom he would not know what to do with if he had him, a boy whose home had been with the dregs of society.
In justice to Mr.Sclater, it must be mentioned that he did not know Gibbie, even by sight.