He handed the book to Meynell, who read it in silence. The few marked sentences concerned the Resurrection.
"These Resurrection stories have for our own days mainly a symbolic, perhaps one might call it a sacramental, importance. They are the 'outward and visible' sign of an inward mystery. As a simple matter of fact the continuous life of the spirit of Christ in mankind began with the death of Jesus of Nazareth. The Resurrection beliefs, so far as we can see, were the natural means by which that Life was secured."
"Are we right in supposing, Mr. Meynell," said the Dean, slowly, "that in those sentences you meant to convey that the Resurrection narratives of the New Testament were not to be taken as historical fact, but merely as mythical—or legendary?"
"The passage means, I think, what it says, Mr. Dean."
"It is not, strictly speaking, logically incompatible," said the Professor, bending forward with a suave suggestiveness, "with acceptance of the statement in the Creed?"
Meynell threw him a slightly perplexed look, and did not reply immediately. The Dean sharply interposed.
"Do you in fact accept the statements of the Creed? In that case we might report to the Bishop that you felt you had been misinterpreted—and would withdraw the sermon complained of, in order to allay the scandal it has produced?"
Meynell looked up.
"No," he said quietly, "no; I shall not withdraw the sermon. Besides"—the faintest gleam of a smile seemed to flit through the speaker's tired eyes—"that is only one of so many passages."
There was a moment's silence. Then Canon Dornal said: