Long and earnestly he gazed at him - then his gentle, persuasive voice broke the silence.

"My son, if you see such crying evils in the church, and I am sorry to admit there are many that need correction, why go outside of the fold? The church needs a Savanarola to cleanse and purify her mental horizon from age to age. With tact and judgment, you should in your zeal, as a reformer, be able to accomplish much within our own community."

Adoni shook his head. "No, Bishop, the church is too hopelessly enmeshed in the net of its own worldly interests to be extricated. It will take more than mending and preaching the worn-out creeds, to successfully combat present-day evils. The salvation of the world requires a gospel of deeds. Deeds, mighty and radical, to cope with the giant idol which rears its powerful head of gold in menace over our civilization. Think not that the vast army of men and women, pledged to the service of Mammon, will be turned from their worship by the soft breath of pious persuasion. To win this battle the church would have to array itself actively and uncompromisingly against this false God; would have to stand honestly for justice between men; for righteous conditions and equitable adjustment in all relations of life. This the church cannot consistently do until it re-interprets the Bible, revises its creed, abolishes its dogmas and ceases to employ the superstitions of an ignorant past to bully the progressive spirit of the age. The church will not assume this militant attitude. The closing of the nineteenth century witnessed the culmination of formalism, and the spiritual re-action is now creating a hunger of the human heart which nothing but truth, naked and un-involved, will satisfy. The church has failed in its mission, and a Higher Authority has conferred holy orders upon me. We must, therefore, part company for I have a distinct and sacred call I dare no longer ignore; a work which must not be harrassed and impeded by the prejudice of the church. It is impossible for me to longer subscribe my work to a creed which my conscience repudiates."

There was an unmistakable finality in his words, and wishing to put an end to the protracted interview, Adoni arose as if to go.

With secret admiration the Bishop regarded him, realizing the futility of attempting to shake the inflexible purpose of this brave and honest soul. Involuntarily he reached out his hand, and grasped that of Adoni.

"Forgive me, my son, for attempting to dissuade you. It was wrong for me to advise and dictate to a courageous soul, chosen and anointed of God. Go, my son. Obey His call and may His blessings rest upon you."

Adoni gazed at the Bishop - and through sudden tears - recognized in the fervent handclasp - his friend. Silently he went out from his presence.

It was a glorious Sabbath morning.

The aristocratic parish of St. Paul would discontinue its services until fall. In consequence the seating capacity of the church was taxed to its utmost with exquisitely gowned women and faultlessly attired men. The continuous swish of silken garments, scented with perfume; the subdued murmur of polite conversation; women casting covert glances at each other; men discreetly admiring them - ail together served to impart an air of luxurious elegance, and which created a worldly atmosphere in the place of worship.

Presently, a soft prelude trembled upon the air, gradually increasing in volume, filling the church with waves of sweetest melody. As the last strains melted into silence the Reverend Adoni Bourdalone stood before the altar in earnest prayer.

As the choir boys chanted in softest unison, "Oh, light Eternal," he slowly ascended the pulpit. The rainbow-tinted lights from the windows reflected upon the whiteness of his face a shining halo, almost suggesting the presence of an inspired prophet. Those who sensed the radiance of his soul, were thrilled with chastened admiration, as he glanced over the congregation with calm composure.

Through the silent hush of expectancy a voice, low but of penetrating clearness, rang out like a silver bell, completely filling the great auditorium.

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."

To his listeners this text was familiar, but to some at this hour, this message reflected a disconcerting effect written upon each face as though suddenly awakened into consciousness of having hitherto ignored the divine injunction:

"The Kingdom of God."

"Where is it! We look and search everywhere in this material world and find it not. Unprotected by knowledge, we rush blindly in pursuit of love and happiness. Followed by the shadows of life's sorrow, we drift into a wilderness - stumble - and fall - crushed with our disappointments we are unable to rise and find that happiness has again eluded us.

"In old Jerusalem there was One who told us where to find the 'Kingdom of God.' Multitudes failed to grasp His meaning, and sought to establish a Jewish kingdom over which to make Him earthly king. He was crowned with thorns and crucified. His apostles gave their lives to establish a kingdom of heaven upon earth. But soon an army of priests and intercessors aggregated to themselves all power and dominion over this holy realm, making friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, and the church became an institution. Instead of cultivating the garden in 'God's Kingdom,' to bear holy fruit in the hearts of men, it transformed the temples into charnel houses of dead hopes which falsely impressed their devotees that heaven lies beyond the vale of tears."

"We are standing now in the dawn of a great 'Spiritual Awakening/ where through the 'Gateway of Thought,' many souls have become illumined, and through the 'Spirit of Love9 have created a 'Heaven upon Earth.'

" 'Seek and ye shall find.' It was your patron saint who said, 'Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.' I have sought and found great truths. A conflict has arisen between my soul's convictions and the teachings of the creeds which I formerly accepted. I can not reject the truths that I have found, I cannot harmonize them with the traditions of the established church, and to preach my convictions under the guise of the angelic faith would, through deceitful practice, unfit me to be the instrument to reveal the Kingdom of God within the hearts of men. I would rather undergo the condemnation of the church; lose the regard of my ecclesiastical superiors; endure the censure of a thoughtless world, than to be a hypocrite in the sight of God."