There was a good many indulged a false hope.

To this, others objected her life of utter self-denial and entire surrender to her duties towards her mother as some evidence of Christian character.

But old Deacon Rumrill put down that heresy by showing conclusively from Scott's Commentary on Romans xi.

1-6, that this was altogether against her chance of being called, and that the better her disposition to perform good works, the more unlikely she was to be the subject of saving grace.

Some of these severe critics were good people enough themselves, but they loved active work and stirring companionship, and would have found their real cross if they had been called to sit at an invalid's bedside.
As for the Rev.Mr.Stoker, his duties did not allow him to give so much time to his suffering wife as his feelings would undoubtedly have prompted.