And the
picture of the big lad, whose strong, clean-looking body drooped so as if
in great weariness; whose frank open countenance was marked with drawn
lines; in whose clear brown eyes were shadows of trouble and pain; whose
voice betrayed the sadness of a mighty soul, will also remain long in the
memory of those who were there that evening.
The place was crowded. The triumphant Judge and his friends of the inner
circle were there in force, striving in vain to hide, with pious
expression of countenance, the satisfaction and pride they felt in their
power. The other members were there, curious to hear what Dan would say;
wondering how much he knew of the methods that had brought about his
dismissal; a little sorry for him; a little indignant; and with a feeling
of impotence withal that made their sorrow and indignation of no worth
whatever. With identically the same emotions as the members, except that
it felt free to express them more freely, the world was there. To a
portion of the congregation Dan stood in the peculiar position of a
friend whom, as an individual, they loved and trusted, but whom, as a
preacher, they were forced to regard as unsafe and dangerous.
It would not do to report all he said, for much of his sermon was not
fashioned for the printed page.
But his final words were: "It is not the spirit of wealth, of learning,
or of culture that can make the church of value, or a power for good in
the world, but the spirit of Christ only.
Pages:
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310