It provides the most even temperature and pure atmosphere for the growth of young children.It furnishes the best obtainable social machinery for marrying off one's daughters, getting to know the right people, patching up quarrels, and so on.The priesthood earn their salaries as the agents for these valuable social arrangements.
Their theology is thrown in as a sort of intellectual diversion, like the ritual of a benevolent organization.
There are some who get excited about this part of it, just as one hears of Free-Masons who believe that the sun rises and sets to exemplify their ceremonies.Others take their duties more quietly, and, understanding just what it all amounts to, make the best of it, like you and me."Theron assented to the philosophy and the compliment by a grave bow."Yes, that is the idea--to make the best of it," he said, and fastened his regard boldly this time upon the swings.
"We were both ordained by our bishops," continued the priest, "at an age when those worthy old gentlemen would not have trusted our combined wisdom to buy a horse for them.""And I was married," broke in Theron, with an eagerness almost vehement, "when I had only just been ordained!
At the worst, YOU had only the Church fastened upon your back, before you were old enough to know what you wanted.
It is easy enough to make the best of THAT, but it is different with me."A marked silence followed this outburst.The Rev.Mr.Ware had never spoken of his marriage to either of these friends before; and something in their manner seemed to suggest that they did not find the subject inviting, now that it had been broached.He himself was filled with a desire to say more about it.He had never clearly realized before what a genuine grievance it was.