Page:Pontoppidan - Emanuel, or Children of the Soil (1896).djvu/28

 use denying it among ourselves) cannot afford to be without in the presence of the common people, who are not in a position to value true superiority, or to judge rightly of spiritual qualifications. And what are the consequences? Do we not already see the fruits? These shoemaker and tailor apostles—are they not marvellous orators, almost prophets in the eyes of the populace? Their phrases and catchwords demoralize the people to such an extent, that they will hardly listen to a proper well thought out sermon, and they lose all taste for the solemnities of a church service.—It is only a few days since one of these presumptuous individuals presented himself to me as a 'colleague;' and even had the insolence to ask permission to use the church for his ministrations! This is what we have come to! Tramps in the pulpit, criminals at the altar. In this manner is the Church's brilliance tarnished. This is what its importance has sunk to!—I ask you, Pastor Hansted, when is it to end?" He had talked himself into an ever-increasing violence of passion. His face was pale and he trembled in every limb, and at his last words he rose to his full height, straightening his giant frame as if ready for the fray at once.

The curate looked at him in astonishment and even the young lady turned her head, while the parrot screamed and flapped its wings.

Quite beside himself with excitement, the Provst tramped up and down the floor with