It is both a religious and a patriotic
duty, and there is a rare joy connected with it."
"Yet it was surely not joy I saw pictured within your face when we met;
you were certainly troubled over some problem."
Wynkoop glanced up quickly, a slight flush rising in his pale cheeks.
"Perplexing questions which must be decided off-hand are constantly
arising. I have no one near to whom I can turn for advice in unusual
situations, and just now I scarcely know what action to take regarding
certain applications for church membership."
Brant laughed. "I hardly consider myself a competent adviser in
matters of church polity," he admitted, "yet I have always been
informed that all so desiring are to be made welcome in religious
fellowship."
"Theoretically, yes." And the minister stopped still in the road,
facing his companion. "But this special case presents certain
peculiarities. The applicants, as I learn from others, are not leading
lives above reproach. So far as I know, they have never even attended
church service until last Sunday, and I have some reason to suspect an
ulterior motive. I am anxious to put nothing in the way of any
honestly seeking soul, yet I confess that in these cases I hesitate.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181