That evening Dr. Grenfell spoke in the little Church of England, taking as his text the words from the twelfth chapter of John: “The spirit that is ruling in this world shall be driven out.” Across the tickle the huskies howled at the moon, and one after another took up the challenge from either bank. But one was no longer conscious of the wailful creatures, and heard only the speaker; and the kerosene lamps lighted one by one in the gloom of the church became blurred stars, and the woman sitting behind me in a loud whisper said, “Yes! yes!” as Dr. Grenfell, in the earnest and true words of a man who speaks for the truth’s sake and not for self’s sake, interpreted the Scriptures that he has studied with such devotion.
“When I was young,” he said, “I learned that man is descended from a monkey, and I was told that there is no God.
“When I became older and did my own thinking I refused to believe that God chose one race of mankind and left the rest to be damned.
“No one has the whole truth, whether he be Church of England, Methodist or Roman Catholic.
“The simple truth of Christianity is what the world needs. How foolish seem the tinsel and trumpery distinctions for which men struggle! What is the use of being able to string the alphabet along after your name? Character is all that counts.
“Some say that religion is for the saving of your soul. But it is not a grab for the prizes of this world, and the capital prize of the life eternal.
“The things the world holds to be large, Christ tells us, are small. Jesus says the greatest things are truth and love.
“Love is so big a thing that it forgets self utterly.
“How many of us know what it is to love? It is not mere animal desire.
“If we all truly loved, what a world it would be!