ing number of
communicants in the East End--who stands in the market-place of the
world with stones for starving people. But I, who have been down
amongst those fires, I, who know, can tell you this: Not all the
churches of Christ, not all the religious societies ever founded, not
all the combined labours of all the missionaries who ever breathed,
will quench or even abate those flames until they go to their labours in
the name of humanity alone, and free themselves utterly from all the
cursed restrictions and stipulations of their pet creed. Starving men
will mock at the mention of a God of Justice, men who are in torture
body and soul are scarcely likely to respond to the teachings of a God
of Love. Save the bodies of this generation, and the souls of the next
may be within your reach."

They thought then that he had finished. He paused for an unusually long
time. When he spoke again he seemed to have wholly regained his usual
composure. The note of passion had passed from his tone. His cheeks
were once more of waxen pallor. The deliberately-chosen words fell with
a chill sarcasm from his lips.

"His lordship the Bishop of Beeston," he said, "has also thought fit, on
the authority, I presume, of Mr. Lavilette and his friends, to make
slighting reference to the accounts of the Society in question. As one
of the largest subscribers to that Society, may I be allowed to set at
rest his anxieties? Before many days the accounts from its very
earliest days, which have all the time been in the hands of an eminent
firm of accountants, will be placed before the general public. In the
meantime let me tell you this. I am willing to sign every page of
them. I pledge my word to their absolute correctness. The author of
this movement has from the first, according to my certain knowledge,
devoted a considerable part of his own income to the work. If others
who are in the enjoyment of a princely stipend for their religious
labours"--he looked hard at the bishop--"were to imitate this course of
action, I imagine that there are a good many charitable institutions
which would not now be begging for donations to keep them alive."

He sat down without peroration, and almost immediately afterwards left
the House. The first reading of the bishop's Bill was lost by a large
majority.

Arranmore sat by himself in his study, and his face was white and drawn.
A cigarette which he had lit on entering the room had burnt out between
his fingers