Mr. Broad’s large mouth lengthened itself, and his little eyes had an unpleasant light in them.
“Brother Allen, I have made this matter the subject of much meditation, and I may even say of prayer, and I have come to the conclusion it will be better for me to occupy a neutral position.”
“Why, Mr. Broad? You cannot doubt on which side the right lies.”
“No; but then there are so many things to be considered, so many responsibilities, and my first care, you see, must be the ministerial office and the church which Providence has placed in my charge.”
“But, Mr. Broad, there are only two or three of them who are Tory.”
“Only old Bushel and another farmer or two,” interrupted George.
Mr. Broad looked severely at George, but did not condescend to answer him.
“Those two or three, Brother Allen, require consideration as much as ourselves. Brother Bushel is, I may say, a pillar of the cause, a most faithful follower of the Lord; and what are political questions compared with that? How could I justify myself if my liberty were to become a stumbling-block to my brother. The house of God without Brother Bushel to give out the hymns on Sunday would, I am sure, not be the same house of God to any of us.”
“But, Mr. Broad, do you think he will be so silly as to be offended because you exercise the same right which he claims for himself?”
“Ah, Brother Allen—offended! You remember, no doubt, the text, ‘Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth.’”