1894 LIFE AT COSTEBELLE 373 



that he and some others with him who think they 

 are more and more losing hold on God because the 

 burden and the bulk of doubt* is growing more and 

 more, may really be, underground, as it were, main- 

 taining and strengthening their hold by their loving 

 stubbornness in graces which are indeed their acts of 

 faith, and by the secret work of the Holy Spirit in 

 their hearts, even through the darkness and the 

 sorrow.' 



This was written many years before, and is quoted 

 now because it shows the kind of impression George 

 Eomanes made on those few who really knew him, to 

 whom he showed his inmost self. 



It is written that those who seek find, and to 

 no one do these words more fitly apply. 



During these months Mr. Eomanes read many 

 books of a religious nature ; particularly and pre- 

 eminently he liked to have Dean Church read aloud, 

 and he also liked Mr. Holland's ' City of God ' and 

 Mr. Illingworth's sermons, particularly one on ' In- 

 nocence,' which he asked for more than once. He 

 also read much poetry, Miss Rossetti and Archbishop 

 Trench being especial favourites at this time. 



To himself he read or had read to him the Bible 

 and Thomas a Kempis, and he liked Dr. Bright's 

 Ancient Collects, and in part Bishop Andrewes' 

 Devotions. He never would read or have anything 

 read to him which did not ring true to him and which 

 he could not appreciate ; for instance, the Pleadings 

 of Our Lord's Physical Sufferings in Andrewes' Devo- 

 tions for Friday were very distasteful to him. 



He often went to the English Church for short 

 services, and on Easter Monday Dr. Moberly gave 

 him Holy Communion, for which he had asked and, 

 for which he wished. 



