A BASIS OF CONCILIATION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3199, 29 September 1881, Page 4

A BASIS OF CONCILIATION.

Tlie story is told of one of tlie "English kings. T ihink ifc was Charles 11., —and if that is the case, then the other party to the etory was his famous chaplain, l)r Hickringal. If all moral teachers who are called upon to administer spiritual food to men in high places, would be as honest and as inflexible as "was this man, society might he better than it is ; for, be sure, when our rulers shall come to know that their shortcomings will not he winked at in the pulpit, they will be more careful and circumspect in their daily walk and conversation. Dr. Hiclmngal, whenever he had occasion to preach before the king, was sure to tell him plainly of his faults, and to urge him to amend. In fact, he often scolded the erring monarch, as a parent might scold and chide a child. One day the king, walking in the park, observed the doctor not far away, and sent an attendant to call him. The preacher came, when his majesty addressed him with considerable feeling : 1 Doctor, how do I harm you, that you must be always finding fault with me, and scolding me ?' ' I hope your majesty is not angry with me for telling only the truth,' pleaded the doctor, warmly.

'No, no,' said the king ; 'but,' he added, persuasively, ' I wish we might be better friends hereafter. You might mend a little in your fault-finding and scolding. . Whereupon the chaplain laid a finger upon the arm of his royal master, and said to him, "with gushing good nature, yet earnestly, as though he meant exactly as he said : ' Indeed, your majesty, nothing would give me more joy ; and we'll make it up on these terms : As you mend, I'll mend .''