Page:The unhallowed harvest (1917).djvu/96

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THE VESTRY OBJECTS
91

We have such a chapel on the east side, why not establish one on Factory Hill? I would be glad to contribute for such a purpose."

"It would not solve the difficulty, Judge," responded the rector. "These people do not want missions and chapels when they are within walking distance of the church itself. The thing implies exactly the same sort of discrimination as would be implied by herding them in rear pews. They don't want to be accommodated, they don't want to be patronized, they want to be recognized as having equal rights with us in the House of God. And until we are willing to accord to them that recognition we may as well let them alone, for we shall never be able to hold them."

Again the railroad magnate broke in. His patience, which was already running low when he first spoke, appeared now to be entirely exhausted.

"Then I say let them alone!" he exclaimed. "I'm sick and tired of this everlasting kow-towing to a class of people who are never satisfied with what's being done for them."

To this last explosion the rector paid no heed. He looked around over the persons assembled in the room. "I would like to hear," he said, "from other gentlemen of the vestry. If most of you are opposed to the proposition, I will not press it at this time; but I will begin a campaign of education among the people of the parish, so that when it again comes before you, it will come backed by the force of public opinion. What is your thought in the matter, Mr. Cochran?"

"I quite agree with Mr. Hughes and Colonel Boston," replied Mr. Cochran. "I think it would be extremely unwise to abolish our system of rentals."

"And what is your opinion, Mr. Emberly?"

"I am heartily in favor of adopting the suggestion of the rector," was Emberly's answer.

Nobody was surprised at Emberly. He always sided with the rector. But his opinion carried no great