Elder Jordan's regard for Dan was wholly personal, entirely aside from
the things of the church. The Elder was capable of sacrificing his own
daughter if, in his judgment, it was necessary for the good of the
cause, but he would not have loved her the less. There was that inhuman
something in his religion that has always made religion a thing of
schools and churches, rather than a thing of farms and shops; a thing of
set days, of forms, rites, ceremonies, beliefs--rather than a thing of
everyday living and the commonplace, individual duties, pleasures and
drudgeries of life.
The old churchman did not spare Dan that afternoon. Very clearly he
forced the minister to see the situation, making him understand the
significance of the gossip that had been revived, and the growing
dissatisfaction of the church leaders with his sermons. Dan listened
quietly, with no lack of respect for the man who talked to him so
plainly--for, under the sometimes harsh words, he felt always the true
spirit of the speaker and his kindly regard.
Touching his preaching Dan could make no reply, for he realized how
impossible it was for the Elder to change his point of view. The young
minister had, indeed, neglected the things that, to the Elder and his
kind, were the vital things. That he had taught the truths that to him
seemed most vital made no difference in the situation. The fact remained
that he was the hired servant of Memorial Church and was not employed by
that body to preach what he considered the most vital truths.
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