The dramatic effect of the singing was gradually dispelled in the prayer and in a Scripture reading which followed. By the time the leader was about to begin his address, the people had almost relapsed into their normal mental and spiritual condition of benevolent neutrality. A second time a text was announced, when abruptly the door opened and up the aisle, with portentous impressiveness as of a stately ocean liner coming to berth, a man advanced whose presence seemed to fill the room and give it the feeling of being unpleasantly crowded. A buzz went through the seats. "The Rector! The Rector!" The evangelist gazed upon the approaching form and stood as if incapable of proceeding until this impressive personage should come to rest. Deliberately the Rector advanced to the side bench upon which Larry and his mother were seated, and slowly swinging into position calmly viewed the man upon the platform, the woman at the organ, the audience filling the room and then definitely came to anchor upon the bench.
The preacher waited until this manoeuvre had been successfully accomplished, coughed nervously, made as if to move in the direction of the important personage on the side bench, hesitated, and finally with an air of embarrassment once more announced his text. At once the Rector was upon his feet.
"Will you pardon me, sir," he began with elaborate politeness. "Do I understand you're a clergyman?""Oh, no, sir," replied the evangelist, "just a plain preacher.""You are not in any Holy Orders then?"
"Oh, no, sir."
"Are you an ordained or accredited minister of any of the--ah--dissenting bodies?"
"Not exactly, sir."
"Then, sir," demanded the Rector, "may I ask by what authority you presume to exercise the functions of the holy ministry and in my parish?""Well--really--sir, I do not know why I--"
"Then, sir, let me tell you this will not be permitted," said the Rector sternly. "There are regularly ordained and accredited ministers of the Church and of all religious bodies represented in this neighbourhood, and your ministrations are not required.""But surely, sir," said the evangelist hurriedly as if anxious to get in a word, "I may be permitted in this free country to preach the Gospel.""Sir, there are regularly ordained and approved ministers of the Gospel who are quite capable of performing this duty. I won't have it, sir. I must protect these people from unlicensed, unregulated--ah--persons, of whose character and antecedents we have no knowledge. Pray, sir," cried the Rector, taking a step toward the man on the platform, "whom do you represent?"The evangelist drew himself up quietly and said, "My Lord and Master, sir. May I ask whom do you represent?"It was a deadly thrust. For the first time during the encounter the Rector palpably gave ground.
"Eh? Ah--sir--I--ah--ahem--my standing in this community is perfectly assured as an ordained clergyman of the Church of England in Canada. Have you any organisation or church, any organised Christian body to which you adhere and to which you are responsible?""Yes."
"What is that body?"
"The Church of Christ--the body of believers.""Is that an organised body with ordained ministers and holy sacraments?""We do not believe in a paid ministry with special privileges and powers," said the evangelist. "We believe that every disciple has a right to preach the glorious Gospel.""Ah, then you receive no support from any source in this ministry of yours?"The evangelist hesitated. "I receive no salary, sir.""No support?"
"I receive no regular salary," reiterated the evangelist.
"Do not quibble, sir," said the Rector sternly. "Do you receive any financial support from any source whatever in your mission about the country?""I receive--" began the evangelist.
"Do you or do you not?" thundered the Rector.
"I was about to say that my expenses are paid by my society.""Thank you, no more need be said. These people can judge for themselves.""I am willing that they should judge, but I remind you that there is another Judge.""Yes, sir," replied the Rector with portentous solemnity, "there is, before whom both you and I must stand.""And now then," said the evangelist, taking up the Bible, "we may proceed with our meeting.""No, sir," replied the Rector, stepping upon the platform. "I will not permit it.""You have no right to--"
"I have every right to protect this community from heretical and disingenuous, not to say dishonest, persons.""You call me dishonest?"
"I said disingenuous."
The evangelist turned toward the audience. "I protest against this intrusion upon this meeting. I appeal to the audience for British fair play."Murmurs were heard from the audience and subdued signs of approval.
The Rector glanced upon the people.
"Fair play," he cried, "you will get as will any man who appears properly accredited and properly qualified to proclaim the Gospel, but in the name of this Christian community, I will prevent the exploitation of an unwary and trusting people.""Liberty of speech!" called a voice from a dark corner.
"Liberty of speech," roared the Rector. "Who of you wants liberty of speech? Let him stand forth."There followed a strained and breathless silence. The champion of free speech retreated behind his discretion.
"Ah, I thought so," said the Rector in grim contempt.
But even as he spoke a quiet voice invaded the tense silence like a bell in a quiet night. It was Mrs. Gwynne, her slight girlish figure standing quietly erect, her face glowing as with an inner light, her eyes resting in calm fearlessness upon the Rector's heated countenance.
