“Mr. Farrar, I did not come to argue with you concerning your theories or your conduct. The time for argument has passed, because your mind is irretrievably set. I came to make a simple request; that you should resign. I ask it for the good of Christ Church.”
“I believe I am acting for the best good of Christ Church in refusing.”
“That being your final answer there is no doubt but that the vestry as a body will demand your removal as rector.”
The ultimatum had come at last, but it brought no surprise nor dismay. The rector smiled.
“That announcement,” he said, “is not unexpected, nor does it disturb me in the least. I know what my rights are under the constitution and canons of the Church, and I shall seek to maintain them. I know also what my obligations are to the people to whom I minister, and to the Church to which I have made my ordination vows. Those obligations will not permit me either to abandon or to let myself be driven from the post to which God in His wisdom has seen fit to assign me.”
“Then I am to carry back to the gentlemen who are associated with me your refusal and your defiance?”
“My regret rather, and my determination. I am sorry. These men have been more than kind to me in the past. But—I cannot change my mind.”
“Very well. I said to you once that I should oppose you openly in the course you were pursuing. I have done so, but I have at the same time tried to protect you. That protection is at an end. I say now, frankly, that I shall use my best effort to force you from the pulpit of this church, for I believe you are driving the church straight to disaster.”
The rector smiled again, sadly, but his purpose was in no wise shaken.
“You are kind to be so frank with me,” he said. “You have always been kind to me, and I have been fond of you. I shall still be fond of you, because I believe you to be honest and sincere, though mistaken. We may be adversaries; we cannot be enemies.”