is not a word Christ ever spoke that shall not be proved true!  And may I not be called a Christian?  I may,—­I must,—­I will be,—­for I am!  But hypocrisy, false measures, perverted aims, and low pandering to ignorance and brutality, vile superstition and intimidation—­ these things must be destroyed if the Church is to last with honour to itself and with usefulness to others.  To-day, over in England, they are quarrelling with bitter acrimony concerning forms and outward symbols of religion, thus fulfilling the words of the Lord, ’Ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter but within ye are full of extortion and excess.’  Now, if the Spirit of Christ were at all in these men who thus argue, there would be no trouble about forms or symbols of faith,—­there would be too much of the faith itself for any such petty disputation.  Monseigneur, I swear to you, I say nothing, teach nothing but what is the straight and true command of Christ! . . . no more, but also no less!”

Moved by the young man’s eloquence, the Cardinal looked at him straightly in the eyes.

“You speak well,” he said, “Some people would tell you that you have that fluency of tongue which is judged dangerous.  But danger is after all only for those who have something to fear.  If we of the Church are pure in our intent nothing should disturb our peace,—­ nothing should move us from our anchorage.  Your ideas, you say, are founded on the Master’s Word?”

“Entirely,” replied Cyrillon, “I am working,—­Aubrey Leigh is working,—­we are all working for a House of Praise more than a Place of Prayer.  We want to give thanks for what we are, and what, if we follow the sane and healthy laws of life, we may be,—­rather than continue the clamour for more benefits when we have already received, and are receiving so much.”

“Would you not pray at all then?” asked Bonpre.

“Yes—­for others, not for ourselves!  And then not as the Church prays.  Her form of service is direct disobedience!”

“In what way?”

“Monseigneur, I always preface my remarks on these subjects with the words ‘if we believe in Christ.’  I say if we believe, we must accept His commands; and they are plain enough.  ’When ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.’  Now if this is to be understood as the command of Christ, the Messenger of God, do we not deliberately act against it in all directions?  Vain repetitions!  The Church is full of them,—­choked with