CHAP. xxiv. DICK A RELIGIOUS MAN. 431 



thoroughly religious man. His was one of those deeply 

 reverent natures that are essentially religious, though 

 not cumbered about with forms or ceremonies or sec- 

 tarian differences. Indeed, one of the things that drove 

 him from the church was the quarrels of those who 

 were ministers in it. Professor Shearer, of Bradford, 

 says, "My own opinion is strongly that in this man 

 were combined singular powers of thought and the 

 greatest devotion to natural science ; and at the bottom 

 of all, a truly devout and earnest spirit." 



Another says, " I had a conversation with him on 

 this solemn subject; and I believe 'his right hand 

 touched God's ' to others it might be in the dark ; but 

 Robert Dick knew it. He studied his Bible diligently, 

 and, like all his other studies, his whole soul went into 

 it. He held his Sabbath worship in his own house alone. 

 Whether we look to his upright, frugal, temperate 

 character as a man, or to his wonderful labour and per- 

 severance in his favourite studies, it is difficult to say 

 which most to admire. But I admire above all his 

 loving and reverent spirit." 



Robert Dick's life tells its own moral. His manful 

 perseverance in encountering the difficulties of life ; his 

 steadfastness, his honesty, his purity ; his highminded- 

 ness in carrying on his business affairs ; his energy and 

 devotedness in cultivating his higher nature ; all these 

 command our admiration. 



Thus the man of the humblest condition may at the 

 same time do honour to his calling and elevate the con- 

 dition of his class. By the diligent use of his spare 



