"I do not think so," was the reply. "He has, by both precept and example, placed the seal of the Church on a doctrine which is utterly subversive of social order and human rights. I do not think the Church will tolerate it."
Without making a reply the bishop glanced again at the complaint. It was evident that he was not inclined to give serious consideration to Westgate's attack on the rector's attitude toward socialism.
"What have you to say," he inquired, "concerning your charge that the minister has violated the rubric in the order for the burial of the dead?"
"This," was the prompt reply. "I charge him with having, in violation of the rubric, used the office of the Church in the burial of one, John Bradley, an unbaptized adult, a scoffer at religion, and a detractor of the Church."
The bishop did not smile this time. He looked sober and perplexed. At last the objections had advanced beyond the domain of triviality, and were directed at things of moment, things which might undermine the authority and integrity of the Church. He turned to the rector and inquired:
"What have you to say to this, Mr. Farrar?"
"I did," replied the minister, "commit the body of John Bradley to the grave. Whether in his lifetime he was baptized or unbaptized, whether he had been a believer or a scoffer, I did not stop to inquire."
"Was it not your duty to have done so?"
"Under the circumstances, I think not. I was at the burial merely as an onlooker when I was suddenly confronted with a request to officiate."
"What form of service did you use?"
"I do not know. I may not have used any. I have no recollection. With the body of a man before me who had suffered at the hands of the ruling class, and who had died in the shadow of a deep injustice, I simply said the things that came into my mind to say."
