The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in
his way.
24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord
upholdeth him with his hand.
25. I have been young, and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread.
As we came to this verse, I chanced to look up from my book towards the
swarm of black-coated pensioners: and amongst them--amongst them--sate
Thomas Newcome.
His dear old head was bent down over his prayer-book--there was no
mistaking him. He wore the black gown of the pensioners of the Hospital
of Grey Friars. His order of the Bath was on his breast. He stood there
amongst the poor brethren, uttering the responses to the psalm. The steps
of this good man had been ordered him hither by Heaven's decree: to this
almshouse! Here it was ordained that a life all love, and kindness, and
honour, should end! I heard no more of prayers, and psalms, and sermon,
after that. How dared I to be in a place of mark, and he, he yonder among
the poor? Oh, pardon, you noble soul! I ask forgiveness of you for being
of a world that has so treated you--you my better, you the honest, and
gentle, and good! I thought the service would never end, or the
organist's voluntaries, or the preacher's homily.
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