The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-19


said Nelson Langmaid.
"I'll try to explain. AS a man OF
AFFAIRS, l think you will admit, II
you reflect, that the return OF 81.
Johns, considering the large
amount of money invested. :
scarcely worth consid ring. And
am surprised that a. astute a man
az MI Parr has not been able to see
this long ago. II we clear all the
cobwebs away, what is the real
function OF this church as at pres
ent constituted?
"Why this heavy expenditure TO
maintain religious services for "a
handful of people? Is IL not. when
we come down to facts, an increas-
ingly futile effort to bring the in
fiuences OF religion-of supersti'
ton, IL you will--to bear on the So
called lower classes In order that
they may remain contented with
their lot. with that station and con
dition In the world where-it Is
argued-it has pleased God to cal.
them? IL that were not so, in my
opinion there are very few OF the
privileged classes who would In
vest a dollar in the Church.
And the proof OF IL is that the
moment clergyman raises his
voice to proclai n the true mes age
of Christianity they are up in arms
with the cry of socialism. They
have the sense to see that their
privileges are Immediately threat
ened
Looking at IT from the fnancia,
side, il would be cheaper for them
to close up their churches. 1t is a
Of nd hn-
cause the influence on their less tor
tunate brethren in a worldly sense
has dwindled to nothing. Few OF
the poor come near their churches
in these days. TIE profitable fable
is almost played out"
AN UNPLEASANT TRUTH.
Holder had spoken without Bit
terness, yet his irony was by no
means lost on the lawyer. Lang
maid, il the n be told. found
himself for the moment in the I'M
usual predicament of being at
loss, for the rector had put forward
with more or less precision the very
cynical view which he himself had
been clever enough to evolve.
Haven't they the right" he asked
somewhat lamely, ito demand the
kind of religion they pay for?"
provided you don't call it re-
ligion," said the rector.
Langmaid smiled in spite of him
self
"See here. Holder" he said, I've
always confessed frankly that |
knew little or nothing about re-
ligion. I've come here this evening
of your friend. without authority
from anybody" he added signifi-
cantly, ito see-if this thing couldn't
somehow be adjusted peaceably,
for your sake as well as others.
Come, you must admit there's a
grain of justice in the contention
against you. When | went on to
Bremerton to get you j had no
real reason for supposing that these
views would develop. ! made con-
tract with you in all good faith"
"And with you" answered the
rector. Perhaps you do not realize,
I.angmaid, what has been the chief
factor in developing these views.
The lawyer was silent from eau
ton.
81 must be frank with you. II
was the discovery that Mr.. Parr
and others of my chief parishion-
ers were 80 far from being Chris
tians as to indulge, while they sup
ported the Church of Christ, in
operations like that of the Consol-
idated fractions Company, wrong
ing their fellow-men and Condem-
ming them to misery and hate. And
that you, as n lawyer, used your
talents to make that operation pos
sible"
Hold on" cried Langmaid. now
plainly agitated. you have no
right--you can know nothing OF
that affair. You do not understand
business"
I'm afraid" replied the rector.
sadly, that l understand one side
of 1t only too well "
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.
well l don't intend to quarrel
with you, Holder 1 suppose it
can't be helped that we look al
these things differently, and l don't
intend to enter into a defense OF
business. 1t would take too long
and 1t wouldn't help any" He got
to his feet. whatever happens, IL
won't interfere with our personal
friendship, even II you think me
highwayman and think you a"
"A fanatic" Holder supplied. He
had risen, too and stood, with a
lawyer with an odd scrutiny.
AN ideallst. / was going TO say
Lsngmaid answered, returning the
smile. "I'll admit that we need
them in the world. It's only when
one OF them gets in the gear.
box" .
The rector laughed. And thus
they sood. facing each other.
'Langmaid," Holder asked don't
you ever get tired and disguised
with the Juggednaut carr"
The big lawyer continued TO
smile. but a sheepish. almost boy
ish expression came over his face.
lie had not credited the clergyman
with so much astutencss.
Business, nowadays is--bueincss,
Holder. The Juggernaut car claims
us all 1t has become--if you will
SMILES into slang-the modern
permit me to continue to put my
bandwagon. And we lawyers have
to get on IL, or fall by the waysidc."