“He is a splendid fellow. I heard him a day or two ago. He addressed those reverend Church dignitaries at the Conference in words that made them feel. He besought them to disestablish the Church from the State for the sake of reestablishing it in the hearts of the people. He believes that if this were done the Dissenters would come over in whole congregations.”
“Does he? He may be a good talker, but he cannot have much knowledge of human nature,” said Tom, “if he really believes that. Only think of the numbers of people who would find their occupation gone if they were not permitted to take part in the management of the affairs of their own chapel. Life would lose half its interests for them.”
“But they would be able to help in the management of their own church, which would come to the same thing.”
“No; it could not be the same. There would not be space nor opportunity for half of them; and they would not like to be nobodies after being important leaders in their own religious communities.”
“But it is a grand idea,” said Mrs. Whitwell. “One Church, one people.”
“Too grand for the English constitution,” said one of her daughters.
“Mr. Macdonald does not think so. And he has been considering this all his life. It may come, even if we do not live to see it, this one united Church which is the dream of so many faithful hearts. I should like to see our own beautiful old place crowded every Sunday, as it would be if that which Macdonald hopes for should become an accomplished fact.”
“I say, God grant it!” said Mrs. Whitwell.
“And we all say Amen,” added her husband. “You will be able to hear for yourselves what Macdonald thinks, for I have asked him to come and see us, and speak to the people here; and he says he will.”
“Oh, father, how could you? He must have invitations to all the best houses in the land. I believe you think our old hall is a good-enough place for the entertainment of any one.”