It was utter and virgin; it was not clogged with nineteenth-century qualifications; it had never dallied with strange doctrines, or kissed the feet of pinchbeck substitutes for God.

In his heart he believed that the Almighty, without intermediary, but face to face, had bidden him to go forth into the wilderness there to perish.

So he bowed his head and went.
On the following morning at breakfast Owen had some talk with his friend the Deputation.
"You asked me last night," he said quietly, "whether I would undertake a mission to that people of whom you were telling me--the Sons of Fire.
Well, I have been thinking it over, and come to the conclusion that I will do so----" At this point the Deputation, concluding that his host must be mad, moved quietly but decidedly towards the door.
"Wait a moment," went on Owen, in a matter-of-fact voice, "the dog-cart will not be round for another three-quarters of an hour.

Tell me, if it were offered to you, and on investigation you proved suitable, would you care to take over this living ?" "Would I care to take over this living ?" gasped the astonished Deputation.

"Would I care to walk down that garden and find myself in Heaven?
But why are you making fun of me ?" "I am not making fun of you.