I was appointed to tell
you. I should add that there is no doubt but the people will concur in
the board's decision. Many of the members, I may say, were seen before we
took action."
Dan glanced toward his desk where, in the envelopes, lay his resignation
and his answer to the Chicago church. In the excitement of McGowan's
trouble he had neglected to mail them.
"Of course," he questioned, quietly curious now, "the board will give me
a letter?"
"Ahem! We--ah, discussed that also," said the Elder. "Brother Strong and
the Evangelist--and, I may say, the entire board feel that we cannot
consistently do so."
"May I ask why?"
"Ahem! Your teaching, Brother Matthews, does not seem to be in harmony
with the brotherhood. We cannot endorse it, and the talk in the community
about your conduct has been very damaging; very!"
"Is it charged that my teaching has been false to the principles of
Christianity as taught by Christ?"
"I cannot discuss that part, Brother Matthews. It is not such teaching
as the churches of our brotherhood want."
"Does the church, sir, believe that my character is bad?"
"No, sir--no, sir! No one really believes that, but you have been--ah,
injudicious. There has been so much talk, you know--"
"Who has talked?" Dan interrupted.
The Elder continued, "These things follow a minister all his life. We
cannot recommend a man of bad repute to our sister churches; it would
reflect upon us."
"For the same reason that you keep in a high office in the church a man
who is an unrepentant thief?" said Dan.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298