any kind of villany, who goes about praying and exhorting, claiming to be a chosen vessel of the Lord! A domineering and self-righteous saint, whose exterior humility deceives thousands, and when one listens to his public prayers and exhortations, he feels as though brother Stew really was a holy saint without blemish.
It is probably this power to dissemble, that deceives almost every one who comes within reach of his influence, that gives him an immense sovereignty over the people. Nearly every one who knows him, or knows of him, believes Deacon Stew to be a perfect saint, who could not be guilty of any evil act; but, as we pass on, it will be shown that he has two sides, one of which is well hid under a smooth exterior.
Joe Pier is a very finely organized man, of medium size, who is the beloved of the fair sex, a minister of the gospel, who presides over the former—Deacon Stew—but who is nevertheless the submissive tool of Rob Stew.
Rev. Joe Pier has many refined, tender and noble feelings, but, being one of those milk-and-water creatures who has no mind of his own, nor enough talent to succeed in life without some one to keep him stiff in the back bone, he is just the miserable, though useful, instrument in the hands of a Judas—like Deacon Rob Stew—to aid in proselyting millions to the faith of blue-stocking orthodoxy.
Nancy Clover is a finely formed female, of profound talent and wheedling capacity. She has the faculty of love of power immensely developed, in addition to a mountain of Self-conceit, which makes her bold and dauntless. Moreover, she possesses almost a talismanic power to make every one fall in love with her, whether man or woman, and she always plays upon the lute-strings of affection of those whom she wishes to control, before she attempts to use her love of power over them. Rev. Joe Pier deems her to be a goddess, and even old Deacon Stew is under her gigantic influence; still, the latter often combats vehemently with sister Clover, and whilst the charm-
