rs of this Church, in good standing, whose
published opinions are the same as those I expressed in my sermon of
yesterday. The very cornerstone of the Church is freedom, but many have
yet to discover this, and we have held in our Communion men of such
divergent views as Dr. Pusey and Phillips Brooks. Mr. Newman, in his
Tract Ninety, which was sincerely written, showed that the Thirty-nine
Articles were capable of almost any theological interpretation. From
what authoritative source are we to draw our doctrines? In the baptismal
service the articles of belief are stated to be in the Apostles' Creed,
but nowhere--in this Church is it defined how their ancient language
is to be interpreted. That is wisely left to the individual. Shall
we interpret the Gospels by the Creeds, which in turn purport to be
interpretations of the Gospels? Or shall we draw our conclusions as to
what the Creeds may mean to us by pondering on the life of Christ, and
striving to do his will? 'The letter killeth, but the Spirit maketh
alive.'"

Hodder rose, and stood facing his visitor squarely. He spoke slowly, and
the fact that he made no gesture gave all the more force to his words.

"Hereafter, Mr. Atterbury," he added, "so long as I am rector of this
church, I am going to do my best to carry out the spirit of Christ's
teaching--to make Christians. And there shall be no more compromise, so
far as I can help it."

Gordon Atterbury had grown very pale. He, too, got to his feet.

"I--I cannot trust myself to discuss this matter with you any further,
Mr. Hodder. I feel too deeply--too strongly on the subject. I do not
pretend to account for this astonishing transformation in your opinions.
Up to the present I have deemed St. John's fortunate--peculiarly
fortunate, in having you for its rector. I am bound to say I think you
have not considered, in this change of attitude on your part, those
who have made St. John's what it is, who through long and familiar
association are bound to it by a thousand ties,--those who, like myself,
have what may be called a family interest in this church. My father and
mother were married here, I was baptized here. I think I may go so
far as to add, Mr. Hodder, that this is our church, the church which a
certain group of people have built in which to worship God, as was their
right. Nor do I believe we can be reproached with a lack of hospitality
or charity. We maintain this parish house, with its clubs; and at no
sma