“Farrar,” he said, “God bless you! I love you.”
Underneath his hand he felt the broad shoulders tremble. He went on comfortingly:
“This is not the end; it is but the beginning. You are going to start a new career. I have already for you, in my mind, an outpost of the Church, in another diocese, where I believe your great talent and your love for neglected men will lead to the establishment of a mighty stronghold of our religion.”
The rector sprang to his feet and dashed the tears from his eyes.
“You bring me a message,” he said, “straight from God. An outpost on the fighting line will be my delight. Bishop, you have not only saved me, you have invigorated and inspired me. How can I show my gratitude?”
“By preaching, hereafter, the simple gospel of Christ as I have explained it to you. But enough of this. We have disposed of the case; let’s talk of other things. Come and have dinner with me, and we’ll discuss the state of the Church at large.”
And, with his arm still resting on the broad shoulders of the rector, the wise and big-hearted prelate led his guest from the room.
CHAPTER XXIII
REHABILITATION
To restore the human body to a state of health after the shock of a severe illness is a long and tedious task. It is not different with the body politic; it is not different with communities, with churches, or with business.