“He speaks through the priest, my dear, as He does through the physician.”
“But why should the priest know better than the people?” pursued Isabel, intent on her point.
“Because he tells us what the Church says,” said the other smiling, “it is his business. He need not be any better or cleverer in other respects. The baker may be a thief or a foolish fellow; but his bread is good.”
“But how do you know,” went on Isabel, who thought Mistress Margaret a little slow to see her point—“how do you know that the Church is right?”
The old nun considered a moment, and then lifted her embroidery again.
“Why do you think,” she asked, beginning to sew, “that each single soul that asks God’s guidance is right?”
“Because the Holy Ghost is promised to such,” said Isabel wondering.
“Then is it not likely,” went on the other still stitching, “that the millions of souls who form Holy Church are right, when they all agree together?” Isabel moved a little impatiently.
“You see,” went on Mistress Margaret, “that is what we Catholics believe our Saviour meant when He said that the gates of hell should not prevail against His Church.”
But Isabel was not content. She broke in: