Page:The unhallowed harvest (1917).djvu/248

Rh "And you have carefully considered the protests and appeals of those of your parishioners who have not agreed with you?"

"Carefully and prayerfully. I cannot concede what they ask. I cannot yield to their demands without stultifying myself in the eyes of men, and proving false to the trust which God has imposed on me."

It was plain that his unyielding purpose left no room for compromise. The thing must be fought out. The bishop took up and glanced at the written complaint that had been filed with him.

"You are charged here," he said, "with having violated the canons of the Church and the rubrics of the prayer-book. What have you to say to that charge?"

"I have not knowingly violated any law of the Church," was the reply. "I believe in, and I have not failed to preach, every vital doctrine set forth in our articles of religion."

The bishop turned to Westgate.

"You have charged this priest," he said, "with having taught doctrines contrary to those held by the Church. Will you kindly amplify the charge?"

"Certainly!" was the quick response. "He has declared himself to be a socialist, and he has upheld, publicly and privately, the main principles promulgated by the socialistic body. These principles are contrary to the doctrines of the Church."

"I am," explained the rector, "a Christian socialist."

"And what," retorted Westgate, "is a Christian socialist? There is no such thing, nor can there be in the very nature of the case. The two terms, Christianity and socialism, are fundamentally antagonistic to one another, and must always remain so. You might as well speak of peaceful war."

The bishop shook his head doubtfully.

"Are you conversant, Mr. Westgate," he asked,