Hester Morley's Promise. CHAPTER I. CASTLES IN THE AIR. Now that Mr. Waldron had no other interests to engage him, he had leisure to give his whole attention to the affairs of the church ; and he soon came to the conclusion that the great age and growing infirmities of its old pastor demanded some efficient performance of his duties. had withdrawn from all assistance in the Since John Morley active participation in church matters, the whole power and influence had fallen naturally into the hands of Mr. Waldron, who ruled without a voice being raised against him, or even a whispered murmur among his brethren, who looked up to him from afar off as to one who had an unquestionable authority. When, therefore, he proposed, in a church-meeting assembled especially for the purpose, that a colleague should be elected VOL. II. B |