It had been the custom at the Settlement for a free discussion to follow any open meeting of this kind, and when Mr. Maxwell finished and sat down, the Bishop, who presided that night, rose and made the announcement that any man in the hall was at liberty to ask questions, to speak out his feelings or declare his convictions, always with the understanding that whoever took part was to observe the simple rules that governed parliamentary bodies and obey the three-minute rule which, by common consent, would be enforced on account of the numbers present.

Instantly a number of voices from men who had been at previous meetings of this kind exclaimed, “Consent! consent!”

The Bishop sat down, and immediately a man near the middle of the hall rose and began to speak.

“I want to say that what Mr. Maxwell has said tonight comes pretty close to me.  I knew Jack Manning, the fellow he told about who died at his house.  I worked on the next case to his in a printer’s shop in Philadelphia for two years.  Jack was a good fellow.  He loaned me five dollars once when I was in a hole and I never got a chance to pay him back.  He moved to New York, owing to a change in the management of the office that threw him out, and I never saw him again.  When the linotype machines came in I was one of the men to go out, just as he did.  I have been out most of the time since.  They say inventions are a good thing.  I don’t always see it myself; but I suppose I’m prejudiced.  A man naturally is when he loses a steady job because a machine takes his place.  About this Christianity he tells about, it’s all right.  But I never expect to see any such sacrifices on the part of the church people.  So far as my observation goes they’re just as selfish and as greedy for money and worldly success as anybody.  I except the Bishop and Dr. Bruce and a few others.  But I never found much difference between men of the world, as they are called, and church members when it came to business and money making.  One class is just as bad as another there.”

Cries of “That’s so!” “You’re right!” “Of course!” interrupted the speaker, and the minute he sat down two men who were on the floor for several seconds before the first speaker was through began to talk at once.

The Bishop called them to order and indicated which was entitled to the floor.  The man who remained standing began eagerly: 

“This is the first time I was ever in here, and may be it’ll be the last.  Fact is, I am about at the end of my string.  I’ve tramped this city for work till I’m sick.  I’m in plenty of company.  Say!  I’d like to ask a question of the minister, if it’s fair.  May I?”

“That’s for Mr. Maxwell to say,” said the Bishop.

“By all means,” replied Mr. Maxwell quickly.  “Of course, I will not promise to answer it to the gentleman’s satisfaction.”