From the charm of the historical glories of the church as pictured by the
church historians, and from the equally captivating theories of
speculative religion as presented by teachers of schools of theology,
Dan had been brought suddenly in contact with actual conditions. In his
experience of the past weeks there was no charm, no glory, no historical
greatness, no theoretical perfection. There was meanness, shameful
littleness--actual, repulsive, shocking. He was compelled to recognize
the real need that his husks could not satisfy. It had been forced upon
his attention by living arguments that refused to be put aside. And Big
Dan was big enough to see that the husks did not suffice--consistent
enough to cease giving them out. But the young minister felt pitifully
empty handed.
The Doctor had foreseen that Dan would very soon reach the point in his
ministerial journey where he was now standing--the point where he must
decide which of the two courses open to him he should choose.
Before him, on the one hand, lay the easy, well-worn path of obedience
to the traditions, policies and doctrines of Memorial Church and its
denominational leaders. On the other hand lay the harder and
less-frequented way of truthfulness to himself and his own convictions.
Would he--lowering his individual standard of righteousness--wave the
banner of his employers, preaching--not the things that he believed to
be the teachings of Jesus--but the things that he knew would meet the
approval of the church rulers? Or would he preach the things that his
own prayerful judgment told him were needed if his church was to be,
indeed, the temple of the spirit of Christ.
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