From the time that I began to preach in this church, twenty-five years ago, we had purity and cleanness in the pulpit and in the pew."
Brent's eyes were flashing. Eliphalet Hodges, who had thought that the extra session was for some routine business, pricked up his ears.
Simpson proceeded: "One in this flock has lately gone astray she has fallen into evil ways—"
"Brother Simpson," interrupted Brent, his face drawn and hard with anger, "will you state the object of this meeting?"
"If the pastor is not afraid to wait, he will see that that is what I am doing."
"Then you are bringing into the church matters that have no business here."
"We shall see about that. We intend to investigate and see why you refused to hold up as a warning one of the sinners of this connection. We propose to ask whom you were shielding—a sinner in the pew, or a sinner in the pulpit as well. We propose—"
"Stop! The young man's voice broke out like the report of a rifle.
"Stop, I say, or, as God sees me, here in His temple, at His very altar, I will do you violence. I speak to you not as your pastor, but as a
