“In that case, sir, I have no more to say. I have discharged my conscience.” With these words he was about to withdraw, but Mr. Williams stopped him.
“Mr. Jones, do you consider a clergyman justified in preaching at people?”
“Certainly not.”
“The pulpit surely ought not to be made a handle for personality. It is not the way to make the pulpit itself respected.”
“I don't understand you, sir.”
“Mr. Hawes is much hurt at a sermon you preached against him.”
“A sermon against him—never!”
“I beg your pardon; you preached a whole sermon against swearing—and he swears.”
“Oh—yes! I remember—the Sunday before last. I certainly did reprobate in my discourse the habit of swearing, but no personality to Hawes was intended.”
“No personality intended when you know he swears!”