will be understood in the light of preceding chapters. I confess that I have taken some complacency in my moral character after that summary of my advocatus diaboli; but it is pitiful to see that a clever, experienced, and humane priest can entertain the thought that a man will be damned eternally for such trivialities. His whole attitude is a significant effect, as in the preceding case, of their system; and it is only as effects and illustrations of that system that I offer these details of my secession.
It would be useless to describe all the incidents that arose at the separation; they were wearisome and painful repetitions of the same unfortunate spirit. During my clerical days I had attracted some suspicion by defending the possibility of honest secession from the Church, and especially of bonâ fide scepticism; it was now my turn to be sacrificed to the system which I had resented. It has been explained that the Church is prepared to go to any length to prevent scandal, and the recognition by the laity of an honourable secession of one of the clergy would be a serious scandal; hence little scruple is shown by priests in discussing the character of a former colleague. In my own case I believe that nothing very offensive has been invented; the favourite hypothesis seems to be that indiscreet flattery and premature honours have unfortunately deranged my intelligence, discipline, of course, requiring the usual excommunication and social ostracism. Those of my acquaintances who
