The clergyman mounted the rostrum, but scarcely had he appeared there, when the crowd became possessed by a legion of hissing demons.
“Gentlemen,” began the fearless priest, “the duty of my calling as well as personal conviction demands that I should enter a solemn protest against the sundering of school and church.”
Further the priest was not allowed to proceed. Loud howling, hissing, and whistling drowned his voice. The president called for order.
“In the name of good-breeding, I beg this most honorable assembly [pg 372] to hear the speaker out in patience,” cried Mr. Schwefel.
The mob relaxed into unwilling silence like a growling beast.
“Not all the citizens of this town are infected with infidelity,” the reverend gentleman went on to say. “Many honorable gentlemen believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and in his church. These citizens wish their children to receive a religious education; it would, therefore, be unmitigated terrorism, tyrannical constraint of conscience, to force Christian parents to bring up their children in the spirit of unbelief.”
This palpable truth progress could not bear to listen to. A mad yell was set up. Clenched fists were shaken at the clergyman, and fierce threats thundered from all sides of the church. “Down with the priest!” “Down with the accursed black-coat!” “Down with the dog of a Jesuit!” and similar exclamations, resounded from all sides. The chairman rang his bell in vain. The mob grew still more furious and noisy. The clergyman was compelled to come down.
“Such is the liberty, the education, the tolerance, the humanity of progress,” said he sadly to his colleague.
To Be Continued.